Whether it's spring, summer, fall or winter, it's always time to check out your Morale, Welfare and Recreation program! Rent a cottage at the beach, get adventurous at an amusement park or play a round of golf with some friends at a local golf course. From fitness and sports to tickets and travel, Morale, Welfare and Recreation has something for everyone.
Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs vary by location, and most programs include the types of services listed below. And it doesn't matter if you're stationed on an installation or off — you'll always have a way to access the program's offerings.
Your Morale, Welfare and Recreation program offers lots of ways to relax, have fun and connect with others.
Fitness, aquatics and sports programs — Hit the gym, fine-tune your best downward dog yoga pose or swim laps at the pool. Or release some of your competitive energy and represent your unit or service branch in an organized sport. If you aren't near an installation gym, no worries — get your sweat on at any of the more than 3,000 YMCAs and private fitness facilities that offer military memberships to those who are eligible.
Boating programs, bowling centers, golf courses, stables and special interest recreation programs — Now's the time to try something new. Get a great deal on a boat rental, horseback riding or another special interest program like scuba diving or flying. Get a group of friends together for a night of bowling or a round of golf — typically at a lower cost than similar activities in the civilian community.
Individual skills development programs — Get in touch with your creative side with arts and crafts, check out a program at a performing arts center, or learn some handy automotive skills and get down and dirty while working on your car.
Libraries — Check out a best-seller, read a magazine article or study for an upcoming test with library resources. Visit your installation library or log in to your Military OneSource account to access the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Digital Library from anywhere in the world. Download select titles to your smartphone or tablet, get an audiobook for your next road trip or brush up on your math skills.
Information, Tickets and Travel —Information, Tickets and Travel is a travel resource designed to help you access all sorts of fun opportunities. Get tickets to a movie or an amusement park at a reduced rate or ask an Information, Tickets and Travel employee for help planning your next vacation, from airfare to resort reservations. Use your discounts to see sporting events or go to a concert you've been anxious to see — all without breaking the bank.
Recreational lodging — Break out the selfie stick because recreational lodging opportunities will have you snapping a lot of pictures on your next vacation. Rent a beach cabana, find the perfect ski chalet or take your family members camping — all at significant savings.
Outdoor recreation programs — Even if you don't consider yourself the outdoorsy type, there's so much you can try. Whether it's mountain biking, paintballing or hunting, your Morale, Welfare and Recreation program can help you get out there. Rent a tent and sleep under the stars, or rent a few coolers, tables and chairs and host a backyard BBQ (equipment rental varies by location). If there's not an installation near you, consider checking out the no-cost annual pass offered by the National Park Service that provides you with access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Yosemite, anyone?
Recreation centers — Get your video game fix with a tournament against your friends, watch the big game with good company or just take advantage of free Wi-Fi at your local rec center.
Single service member programs — Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs offer a variety of single service member programs that support singles ages 18 to 25 with sports, trips and tours, concerts, holiday and special event activities and much more.
For more information about your local Morale, Welfare and Recreation program, visit MilitaryINSTALLATIONS.
Eligibility
Now that you're ready to have some fun, here's some information on how to make it happen:
Unlimited use: Uniformed service members and their families generally have unlimited access to all Morale, Welfare and Recreation services and programs, including:
- Service members on active duty
- Members of the Reserve Components (Ready Reserve, National Guard and reservists in training)
- Cadets of the service academies and Merchant Marine cadets
- Retired service members and their family members
- Honorably-discharged veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability
- Medal of Honor recipients
- Unmarried surviving spouses and orphans of personnel who died on active duty or in retired status, or who were married to the service member for 20 years while they were on active duty
- Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians stationed outside the United States
Limited use: The installation commander establishes limited use eligibility requirements that are subject to local demand and capacity. Here's a list of the groups who may have limited access to Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs and services based on local installation policy:
- Department of Defense and Coast Guard civilians and their families stationed inside the United States
- Retired Department of Defense civilians and their families
- Department of Defense contract personnel and technical representatives when working full time on the installation
- Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets when participating in field training or practice cruises
- Former prisoners of war or those missing in action, along with their family members
- Military Housing Privatization Initiative employees and residents, and privatized Army lodging employees
- Foreign national employees
- Guests and members of the public (when established criteria have been met)
For more information on limited use eligibility, check with your installation Morale, Welfare and Recreation program.