Schweinfurt BOSS is the best in Europe

By Spc. Adrian Sherrod, U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt BOSS PresidentJuly 27, 2012

Schweinfurt BOSS is the best in Europe
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHWEINFURT, Germany -- An Army-wide program here geared toward providing opportunities to single Soldiers in Schweinfurt recently took top awards for Best Installation Program, Best Event and Best Warrior Zone in Europe.

The Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers executive council spent the last week of June training, learning how to run the organization better and competing with other programs to be the best in U.S. Army Europe.

Some of the USAG Schweinfurt BOSS council members to attend the Installation Management Command-Europe BOSS and Warrior Zone Training program this year included Spc. Adrian Sherrod the BOSS President, Aaron Henry the Warrior Zone Manager, Command Sgt. Maj. Eric Gordon the Senior Enlisted Advisor and Silvia Joiner a Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation BOSS Advisor.

Annually, BOSS program council members from different USAREUR garrisons come together to share experiences and lessons learned, and to compete against each other. The three major competition categories were the Best Warrior Zone Photo, Best Installation and Best Event.

The only criterion for Best Warrior Zone Photo required the presented photo entries to showcase the three pillars of BOSS: community service, recreation, and quality of life. The other competition categories included video entries and were judged by the same criteria, but it was restricted by size and time constraints.

The Schweinfurt BOSS program beat out other garrisons including Stuttgart and Wiesbaden, and walked away with first place trophies in the Best Installation Program and Best Event competitions. Additionally, the Ledward Warrior Zone was awarded Best Warrior Zone in Europe.

"This was a lot of fun. I feel like the council all shined well in their individual strong points and that's why we were able to take home all three trophies," said Spc. Dequindrae Ogletree, the Schweinfurt BOSS Administration Officer. "Things just work better when you've got a team that excels in all the places that other members are weak in."

BOSS personnel from the Department of the Army, along with staff from other venues, taught classes on all aspects of the program. USAREUR executive council members of all garrisons were trained in all aspects of the BOSS program from the basics, such as the three pillars of BOSS, to more intensive subjects like financial planning and inspector general reporting.

The Schweinfurt BOSS council mutually expressed their satisfaction with the training. However, their disappointment comes as all members change duty stations within the next nine months.

"We'll be getting new BOSS representatives and council members. Replacing the ones that have become permanent fixtures will be hard, but as long the new individuals do their best, I've got no worries," said Spc. Cyril Pennerman the Schweinfurt BOSS Treasurer. "We're leaving them a great program. Besides, if they don't bring home the trophies again next year, our advisors won't let them hear the end of it."

Related Links:

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U.S. Army Installation Management Command