FORT POLK, La. — Fort Polk officially welcomed its newest United Service Organizations center on March 3. Located in North Fort, the facility is dedicated to enhancing comfort, morale, welfare and recreation for all U.S. service members stationed at Fort Polk, as well as their families.
Founded in 1941, the United Service Organizations (USO) is a congressionally chartered, private nonprofit dedicated to supporting U.S. service members and their families throughout every stage of military life—from enlistment and deployments to reintegration into civilian communities. Continuously adapting to evolving needs, the USO operates centers on or near military installations worldwide, including combat zones and remote service sites and provides 24/7 hospitality at airport centers across the country.
The center at Fort Polk will serve as a gathering place, particularly during rotational training, where Soldiers stationed in North Fort can access complimentary food and beverages, escape the Louisiana heat and relax with lounge seating, gaming computers and other amenities.
“Fort Polk — particularly North Fort — is far from a resort assignment. It is where units are tested, leaders are forged and Soldiers sweat, strain and prepare in one of the nation’s harshest training environments,” said Jason Burkett, executive director of the USO in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. “The training is intentionally austere, complex and demanding because combat is austere, complex and demanding. Even in the most challenging places, morale, resilience and connection matter.
Today’s opening marks more than a new building; it establishes a place where a young private can feel at home, a platoon can decompress after time in the box and Fort Polk families can find community and encouragement — a reminder to those who wear the cloth of the nation that they are not alone.”
Burkett emphasized the significance of the day on which the ceremony was held. In 1941, both Fort Polk and the USO were established. Later that year, the first USO center located outside a military installation opened in DeRidder, providing a place of support for Soldiers preparing to deploy for World War II.
“Today, 85 years later, we come full circle with the opening of this new USO Center — the newest in our network and the first modern center in the state,” he said.
Lisa Marie Riggins, USO regional president for the Southeast, said the USO is committed to supporting service members wherever they are stationed.
“The USO goes wherever the military serves, but we especially focus on areas of greatest strain. North Fort is certainly one of those,” she said. “We also know resilience isn’t accidental—it’s developed. We are honored to help build resilience for our warfighters here at Fort Polk.”
Maj. Gen. Jason A. Curl, commanding general of JRTC and Fort Polk, offered remarks before the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“The USO has supported our Soldiers in every conflict,” Curl said. “We like to think of the box as our own small combat zone. As Soldiers train and focus on readiness, they can come here to rest, get some relief, step out of the sun and heat and recharge.”
After the formal ceremony, Soldiers, families and guests enjoyed a complimentary lunch and a firsthand tour of the new center.
“Our squad’s morale has already gotten a boost from this event,” said Staff Sgt. Travis Koening, a Soldier with the 82nd Airborne Division on rotation. “Many of us didn’t want to spend money, so having the grand opening with free food, basketball, cake and air conditioning is a big deal. It gives us a chance to take a break from training and future Soldiers on rotation can come here to decompress as well.”
Koenig, who has visited Fort Polk six times, said he and his Soldiers had never experienced anything like this before.
“I can see this center continuing to provide great entertainment for Soldiers for years to come,” he said.
For more information about the new Fort Polk USO Center and to stay updated on upcoming events, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USOFortPolk/
Social Sharing