Morale, Welfare & Recreation

Photo By: Joshua Rodriquez

he Morale at Fort Sam Houston is responsible for all things recreational and for helping increase morale of the Soldiers and their Families through support services to ensure the welfare of all family units. The MWR has four major programs including Business Operations; Child, Youth, and School Services; Military and Family Readiness and the Community Recreation Division. All of these programs and the many others coordinated by the MWR seek to improve the quality of life and morale for all who serve at Fort Sam Houston. The MWR can be contacted by phone at (210) 221-2606.

The following programs are offered for Soldiers serving at Fort Sam Houston and their Families:

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS)

General Information

Building: 272, Benner Barracks

The Fort Sam Houston BOSS Program was implemented in June 1994 with the primary intent to improve the quality of life for the single Soldier on the installation. Since its implementation, the BOSS Program has won many awards. At the 2007 Department of the Army Worldwide BOSS Forum, the Fort Sam Houston BOSS Program won “Best Installation in the Army” for the small category and the Silver Award for the President’s Volunteer Service Award category. In August of 2008, this program won that distinction again for the second consecutive year. The program has won over $30,000 in award money that is used to further the goal of the program: To improve the life of the single Soldier.

The single Soldiers on the BOSS Program Committee know that their program exists on the installation as the United Voice of the Single Soldiers and that someone is listening.

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS)

What is BOSS?

BOSS is a dynamic Department of Army Program that single Soldiers can join to enhance their Quality of Life, Contribute to Community Service and assist in the planning and execution of their own Recreation and Leisure activities. It is designed to be the collective voice for the single Soldier and supports and compliments the chain of command’s mission.

Who is BOSS?

Although the BOSS Program is focused on single Soldiers, it is open to Marines, Navy, Airman, Reserve, National Guard, Coast Guard, unaccompanied Service members, Foreign Service members, Department of Defense personnel, married personnel and any other guest; just about anyone can participate in this dynamic program.

BOSS Mission

To enhance the morale and welfare of single Soldiers, increase Soldier retention, and sustain combat readiness through planning and executing, community service events, recreation and leisure activities, and identifying quality of life issues for resolution.

Quality of Life

Quality of Life includes those issues that Soldiers can directly or indirectly influence to enhance their morale, living environment, or personal growth and development. Issues raised during BOSS meetings will be directed to the appropriate command or staff agency for resolution on the installation. Army-wide issues are forwarded to the Army Family Action Plan Conference for possible DA resolution.

Recreation and Leisure

Fun activities are planned by the BOSS council working in conjunction with the MWR Advisor and the Garrison CSM. These events are geared towards the desires of the single Soldiers on that installation.

Community Service

BOSS makes a difference by volunteering in community projects and events. This is always voluntary in nature, and Soldiers find this to be personally rewarding.