EL PASO, Texas -- Sgt. Muhammad Sheikh, Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers president, said he wants the name “BOSS” to be known not only on his post, but “from the west side, up to the northeast, downtown, and out in the valley.” Well they didn’t waste any time as almost two dozen BOSS troops rolled up their sleeves for fun work and helped set up KLAQ’s Downtown Street Festival in El Paso, Texas, June 30.
Less than a week removed from a ghost hunting trip in Tombstone, Ariz., the Soldiers got an insider’s look at the preparations for the annual music, arts, and cultural outdoor event which coincides with the Sun City’s July 4 festivities.
Connie Hernandez, an event coordinator for Street Fest, said whether it was the national pride involved with the Independence Day weekend, the tight relationship between the Army and the city of El Paso, or the typically younger age of BOSS Soldiers, inviting them to be a part of Street Fest was an obviously good choice for all involved.
“El Paso is very warm and friendly, which is a part of why we wanted them to come out,” said Hernandez. “We want to see them out and making new friends because [Soldiers from Bliss] will be friends of ours forever. There’s a big world outside their gates and we’re happy to share it with them.”
The Soldiers provided full-time laborers with some much-appreciated support by spreading out in teams and hanging banners throughout downtown, as well as other tasks. In return they received free passes to the festival, but also, according to Sheikh, the team further ingrained themselves into the fabric of El Paso, an initiative he said he feels is very important to the quality of life of Soldiers at Bliss, as well as a continuing positive relationship between the Army and the Sun City.
“As soon as you get outside the gate, you’re in El Paso, so it’s our city as well,” said Sheikh. “[Things like the street festival] get Soldiers out of Fort Bliss; they work in that environment and when they want to release stress, see something else, and come and mingle with the El Paso community.
“So, we’ve linked up with the street festival, and our plan is to also link up with [the colleges and universities] and everyone we can to say ‘these Soldiers are here’ and if the Soldiers stick with the BOSS program, they’ll make a lot of friends; both Soldiers and civilians as well.”
Pvt. Gregory Anderson, a Soldier from 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, has been in the Army for less than a year and only arrived to Bliss in January. He said while he appreciates the friends he’s made in his platoon and unit, taking part in BOSS functions is helping him make relationships which would have taken him a lot longer to make on a post with more than 25,000 Soldiers.
“I wasn’t doing a lot on the weekends and BOSS does some pretty cool things so I thought I’d try it out,” he said, who was only in his second weekend with the BOSS group. “I didn’t know any BOSS Soldiers when I first joined, but they’re really fun. The program is going to help me get involved with a lot of different things. “
The 18-year old Soldier also added that now out on his own, discovering new places is a lot less of a culture shock when you’re able to share those experiences with fellow Soldiers who are, or have recently been, new to the Army; a dynamic which BOSS, a Bliss FMWR program, thrives on.
“It’s cool to get the chance to meet people my age who are in the Army as well,” he said. “We have a lot of things in common, but are diverse too, so that’s pretty cool.”
While they may have done some fun work June 30, fun play soon followed as they manned a BOSS informational booth at the festival July 1 through July 2, within ear shot of the main stage which showcased bands like Hinder and Queensryche for approximately 150,000 fans over the two days.
Within that fun, some still managed to serve their fellow Soldiers as organized designated drivers for both days of the show and at “Pop Goes the Fort,” Bliss’ Independence Day celebration July 3. Troops could either visit their booths at either event, or call an advertised hotline for a safe ride home in one of two 15-passenger vans which were shuttling throughout the region. Sheikh said though drinking responsibly should be everyone’s first priority if they indulge in alcohol, he and his fellow BOSS troops were on call for those who may had forgotten it because nobody’s mistake should result in harm to anyone due to drunk driving.
“We would hate to see a Soldier death because of an alcohol-related incident,” said Sheikh. “Our plan is to prevent that as much as we can with our manpower.”
The BOSS program is open to all single or unaccompanied Soldiers; however, certain events, like volunteer events and trips, are also open to married Soldiers as long as spots are available. For more information on upcoming events and much more down the road, visit www.blissmwr.com/boss. You can also find them on Facebook by searching “Bliss Boss.”
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