BOSS: Rewarding to be part of a team

REWARDING TO BE PART OF A TEAM

BY FAMILY & MWR BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR SINGLE SOLDIERS (BOSS)

For many single Soldiers moving from one post to another, deployment and finding your place within your unit can be overwhelming. It can be especially hard for single Soldiers to find things to do that are not family oriented.

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) is a program that focuses on the well-being of Active-Duty single Soldiers. They create events, programs and plan trips centered for Single Soldiers! There are three pillars the program follows, they are Recreation and Leisure, Community Service and Quality of Life.

Each one provides service to single Soldiers to better their knowledge of their surrounding community by volunteering, enjoy local activities and ensure their quality of life is met with basic standards. This is a Soldier led program and it is fully staffed with a BOSS president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer.

“We work hard planning and putting events together every week,” Sgt. Karla Torres, BOSS president. “Currently, we are planning outdoor recreational trips, art and hobby activities, a trip to Las Vegas, to San Antonio and many more events where Soldiers can learn and enjoy themselves.”

The BOSS Program is an important tool and program that builds a community for Single Soldiers, geo-bachelors and single parents. It is important as a leader to stay up to date with events and to make sure that this information gets put out.

“If a Soldier is not mission essential and you are able spare them to attend a BOSS event,” said Sgt. Torres.“We ask that leaders let them attend.”

It is important that single parents are tracking that this program is also open to them.

“We take feedback from our BOSS Soldiers and listen to them,” Sgt. Torres. “We do what we can to create and coordinate events that they want to see.”

One of the biggest events held every year is BOSS Bash! It’s a huge celebration for single Soldiers to enjoy the day from inflatables, live music, DJ music, minute to win-it games, awesome prizes, food and more! This

year the fun is happening at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 30 at Biggs Park. MEET THE TEAM!

President: “Hello I am Sgt. Karla Torres, the Fort Bliss BOSS President. I enjoy being part of the BOSS Program as it makes me happy to have and plan all these fun events for Fort Bliss Soldiers. I’ve been in the Army for four years and I am finishing up my bachelor’s degree in Health Science.”

Vice President: “I am Spc. Sarah Maine, the Fort Bliss BOSS Vice President. I love the BOSS Program because I love helping Soldiers. I hope to apply for Officer Candidate School (OCS) in the future, with the eventual goal of being an Officer in the Reserves while using my degrees to teach music in the civilian world.”

Secretary: “I’m Sgt. Kristina Nguyen, the Fort Bliss BOSS Secretary. I’ve been in the Army for about two and a half years. I am currently in the process of

Left to right: Spc. Trevone Jones, BOSS treasurer; Sgt. Karla Torres, BOSS president; Spc. Sarah Maine, BOSS vice-president; and Sgt. Kristina Nguyen, BOSS secretary. earning my associate’s degree in criminal justice.” Treasurer: “I am Spc. Trevone Jones, the Fort Bliss BOSS Treasurer. BOSS is something I enjoy as it helps bring Soldiers together. I am currently in Nursing school and will be graduating soon!” For more information about the BOSS program, call 915-892-5195.