Your Passion

Q What made you decide to become a part of the USO?

A The USO desperately needed volunteer tour guides, especially for free local "orientation" tours. I had experience guiding tours, knew the area, customs, culture, language and wanted to help active duty military newcomers and their families orient themselves to their host nation and feel comfortable with life "outside the gates."

Q What is a typical day like at the USO?

A Equal parts of collaboration with fellow USO teammates, unexpected "opportunities to excel" and non-stop multi-tasking all while striving to complete a single item on the day's “To Do” list ...

Q Can you tell us a little about your colleagues in the Pacific?

A The difficult they accomplish right away, the impossible takes them just a little bit longer.

Q What made you decide to become a part of the USO team?

A Growing up, I associated the USO with entertainers heading overseas to show our troops a good time. When my career path presented the opportunity to work for the USO, I was interested in learning more about its mission and how I could help. After discovering the breadth of programs and the broad reach of USO locations worldwide that are all dedicated to raising the spirits of our troops and their families, I was sure that the USO was the organization for me.

Q What motivates you to come to work every day?

A I firmly believe that to be happy with your career, you have to love what you do and believe in the mission of your organization. Knowing that every day I come to work, I am raising funds online to support our troops and helping educate the public about the USO's many programs and services is more than enough motivation.

Q What does a typical day at the USO look like for you?

A A day at the USO within Online Development involves working with a passionate mix of people worldwide to develop and execute campaigns that support our programs and provide awareness. Whether it's collaborating on a new email campaign idea with a program manager in Arlington or working with Operations to find out what our centers in Afghanistan need help funding or delving into analytics in order to provide a better experience for visitors online, every day at the USO is a new and interesting endeavor.

Q What made you decide to become a part of the USO?

A Our military’s sacrifice often far exceeds the acknowledgement they receive. This is unfortunate. I became a member of the USO team because here I can show my gratitude. It is the dream position. It has been a dream to work alongside equally motivated individuals to bring light to the darkest environments. War isn’t pleasant or ideal for anyone, especially troops, so it made perfect sense to work to provide “a home away from home” by serving in Southwest Asia.

Q Have there been any defining moments for you at the USO?

A This Memorial Day, USO Camp Buehring and USO sponsor BAE Systems hosted a Blackout 5K Run and Vigil. Weeks before the event, a monument of banners with the 6,400 Faces of the Fallen (from Iraq and Afghanistan) was erected in the center of camp. Just as the banners were raised a gentleman and his comrade passed by the display, one gentleman immediately spotted his friend’s face and fell to his knees in tears. The Nightfall 5K and Vigil was an even more solemn, emotional and breathtaking event. We had about 1200 military personnel running, walking or marching in the darkness, lit only by glow sticks and reflector belts while a Black Hawk flew over the 3.2-mile route that ended at a breathtaking display of 6,400 luminary lights (reminiscent of a cemetery) spread across a large open field in the back of camp. At this field, a vigil was held including a static display of tanks and howitzers and a 21-gun salute. Words cannot fully describe its impact for the service members present and the families watching from home. It was an appropriate Memorial Day event that TRULY commemorated the Fallen. Only with the USO could a grandiose idea like this be developed and executed. For the troops, it was well-deserved.

Q Can you tell us a little about your colleagues at the Camp Buehring?

A The Buehring Staff is pretty much the DREAM TEAM!!!! Let me introduce them!!!

Dustin “the Mighty”: He brilliantly manages all logistics for Buehring. He always upholds the integrity of the mission, works for the good of the team and thinks/operates 1,000 paces ahead. (He is a speedwalker. He is LITERALLY 1,000 paces ahead of us all)

Shea “the Entertainer”: He brings an energy to our center that is unmatched. Often the host of our events, he makes everyone laugh with one of his quick jokes.

Jaime “the Brilliant”: She is our Programs Manager and one of the most innovative individuals I know. Not only are her event ideas incredible, but the joy she brings to the events is fantastic!

Shannon “the Energetic”: Each day the center is awakened by her smile and laughter. She brings good vibes in an otherwise barren and depressing space.
 

Q What's a typical day for you at the USO?

A Working as troop morale support in Afghanistan helps keep our “normal” days not so normal at all. While we have our everyday work activities that must get done we are also given the opportunity to have a little fun along the way. Our fun includes things such as hosting sports tournaments, developing in-center programs, simply bringing a smile to someone's face and everything in between.

Q Have there been any defining moments for you at the USO?

A The defining moment in my time with the USO was the first time I helped facilitate a soldier having a “Skype Baby.” Being able to be a part of this special occasion was powerful because without our presence here in Afghanistan, the father would never have been able to experience this irreplaceable event.

Q What is on the horizon in your USO career?

A Since getting the opportunity to come over and serve with the USO in Afghanistan, I have felt like I found exactly where I am supposed to be at this point in my life. The next step in my USO career would be to go after a Center Manager position right here in Afghanistan and hopefully be able to positively affect a greater number of lives. From there who knows what's next, but one thing I do know is I will continue to support our troops in one form or another "Until Every One Comes Home."

Q Why did you decide to become a part of the USO team and what motivates you to come to work every day?

A I wanted to be part of a mission that honors our military and their families. I am from a military family and to be able to "pay it forward" is hugely rewarding. And the opportunity to be part of a mission that delivers warm positive regard and goodness to our military and their families. Each day we get to make a difference.

Q What's a typical day for you at the USO?

A Our USO Center will have greeted 400 military guests offering airline club type amenities and travel information. In our United Through Reading® room service members will have read a children's book recorded to DVD to send to their children. We are out in our community supporting military family days. We will be working alongside supporters and volunteers.

Q What is on the horizon in your USO career?

A I hope to have the pleasure/honor of this being the last job in my professional career. It has been the best one.

Q Has there been a defining moment for you at the USO?

A When the biggest, meanest-looking war fighter left the United Thru Reading® room crying because he missed his children so much. He gave me a hug and thanked me for giving him the opportunity to read to his children.

Q What do you enjoy most about your work?

A I spend my days making people happy. I never thought I’d have a job where telling jokes, cooking burgers, handing out cookies and just being a friendly face would be so rewarding.

Q Can you tell us a little about your colleagues in the Pacific?

A I have worked in four countries at seven USO Centers. I have managed some incredible people who left their families and the comforts of home to support our soldiers. It is truly a sign of character when someone gives up so much to help others.