service facilities that provide quality, wholesome, affordable,
family-oriented vacation recreation opportunities to service
members, their families, and other authorized people. Services of
that type were unheard of until the end of the 19th century.
Perhaps the most important innovation is in the Army & Air Force
Exchange Service program, known simply as the “Exchange,”
which is the 62nd-largest retailer in the United States. Its service
was extended on-line to honorably discharged veterans of all
branches of the US armed forces who are not eligible to shop
at PXs. That allowed millions of veterans to take advantage of
exclusive military pricing to shop online without paying sales taxes
or shipping charges on purchases over forty-nine dollars.
The program generated $2.3 billion in dividends over ten years,
all of which was earmarked to support military morale, welfare,
and recreation programs. That assures the overall program will
continue to evolve positively and provide even more services to
active and retired service members in the future. A quick overview
of a variety of those services shows how diverse they are.
Army MWR Provides ‘Fitness Anywhere’ Kits for Deployed
Soldiers. Photo Credit: US Army photo by Tim Hipps.
First, it is important to note that the Army’s programs do not
operate in a vacuum. They have dual purposes: to bridge the gap
between the garrison and the local community and contribute
to the Army’s strength and readiness by offering services that
reduce stress and build skills and self-confidence for Soldiers
and their families.
One-way Soldiers can bridge the gap between garrison and
community is through its unique BOSS program, which is
designed to enhance the morale and welfare of single Soldiers,
increase retention, and sustain combat readiness. One
component encourages Soldiers to volunteer for community
projects and events. The key word is “voluntary.” Soldiers
have found this interaction with community to be personally
rewarding. And it fosters goodwill between the Army and the
people it serves. That is the goal of MWR programs in general.
Another program that encourages interactions between Soldiers
and civilians is the Army's World Class Athlete Program (WCAP),
which allows top-ranked Soldier-athletes to perform
50 ARMY 245: Call to Duty