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VOLUME 10 NO. 6
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
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BI R T H T
BREASTFEEDING
THE 411 IN OKINAWA
PAGES 2-3
ENTRANCE EXAMS
YEARLY RITE OF
PASSAGE IN JAPAN
PAGE 4-5
75 YEARS!
PAGES 8-15
Camera bugs and admires of Jayne Mansfield at the 7th Division’s Bayonet Bowl in Korea crowd the stage Christmas Day
for a closer look at the smiling blonde acrtess and comedian Bob Hope, wearing a parka and a pike cap.
U.S. Army photo, Published in Stars and Stripes on Dec. 26, 1957
FREE TAX SERVICES
AVAILABLE TO
TROOPS, FAMILIES
PAGE 6
For 75 years, the USO, a private, nonprofit organization, has served the
men and women in the U.S. military and their families – from the moment
they join, through their transition back to their communities. Stars and
Stripes salutes our friends at USO for their selfless efforts in entertaining
and caring for the U.S. military community. Turn inside to see how it all got
started and what they have planned for the future.
2 STRIPES OKINAWA
Max D. Lederer Jr.
Publisher
Lt. Col. Brian S. Choate, USAF
Commander
Terry Wegner
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
Breastfeeding - the 411 in Okinawa
BY LAURA BARBOUR,
JAPAN BIRTH RESOURCE NETWORK
THE BIRTH EDUCATION CENTER OF OKINAWA
Business Operations Manager
Revenue Director
Meg Irish
Member Services Director
Marie Woods
Publishing and Media Design Director
Chris Carlson
Publishing and Media Design Manager
Ed Kelin
Advertising and Circulation Manager
Yoshifumi Yagisawa
Production Manager
Rie Miyoshi
Member Services Manager
Scott Wheeler
Okinawa Area Manager
O
ne of the first decisions a
pregnant woman makes is the
choice between breastfeeding
or formula feeding. Choosing breast
or bottle comes easily for some but for
others, they need further information
and a solid support system in place.
First time breastfeeding mothers
should begin with education through
reading materials. Surrounding
themselves with a group of women with
positive breastfeeding experiences
is also another way to ensure
Publishing and Media Design Writer
Takahiro Takiguchi
Ayako Kamio
Yukiyo Oda
Yuko Okazaki
Kayoko Shimoda
Multimedia Consultants
Max Genao Doug Johnson
Scott Jung
Jason Lee
Megumi Savoy
Hans Simpson Chae Pang Yi Gianni Youn
Robert Zuckerman
Graphic Designer
Kenichi Ogasawara
Sales Support
Ryoko Imahori
Yuko Saito Saori Tamanaha
Yoko Noro
Yusuke Sato
Chae Yon Son
For feedback and inquiries,
contact MemberServices@Stripes.com
To place an ad, call DSN 645-7419
okinawa.stripes.com/contact
PR
E
Layout Designers
ANC
N
Y
G
&
AL
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Michael Davidson
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
BI R T H T
breastfeeding success.
caring mother-toTaking a breastfeeding class
mother support
is also a great way to learn the
for breastfeeding
foundations. Okinawa has two
mothers and mothersoptions for breastfeeding classes: a
to-be. Meetings,
“Breastfeeding Basics” class taught
called Nursing Mom Meet-Ups, are
by a Nurse Practitioner at Naval
typically held on the second Monday
Hospital Okinawa or an out of hospital
of each month at 10 a.m. in the Camp
class, “Breastfeeding 101”, offered
Foster Library. They are open to anyone
monthly at the Birth
with breastfeeding
Education Center of
experience, as well
WHEN TO CONSULT AN IBCLC:
Okinawa and taught by
as those needing
• Clinical engorgement
a Lactation Educator
information and
• Low milk supply
Counselor. In addition
support. The leaders
• Over production of milk
to the Breastfeeding
are available to offer
• Baby is not latching
101 class, the Birth
encouragement and
• Sracked, bleeding nipples
Education Center
education to moms
• Slow weight gain
of Okinawa also
at any stage in their
• Nursing multiples
offers breastfeeding
breastfeeding journey.
• Premature baby
consultations with
Join the Facebook
• Breast implants or
a local IBCLC or
group, La Leche
reduction
a Breastfeeding
League of Okinawa, for
Specialist.
more information or to
There are two
contact a leader.
established breastfeeding support
New mom, Stephanie, recently took
groups in Okinawa. Every Wednesday
advantage of the Tricare program to
the Birth Education Center offers
reimburse expectant mom’s for the
“Weigh-In Wednesdays” from 12purchase of a breast pump. Stephanie
2pm. This group is a gathering of
said her healthcare provider wrote
breastfeeding moms with babies
a prescription for a breast pump
of all ages - from newborns to
and it was a very simple process on
toddlers. Here moms can chat,
thebreastfeedingshop.com to upload her
share experiences, and also have
prescription and choose a breast pump.
an opportunity to check their baby’s
She received her breast pump within 2
weight gain (which is a big deal in those weeks and is pleased with its quality. “I
first few months of breastfeeding baby). know my sister’s breast pump
Okinawa’s La Leche League offers
was not covered by insurance
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
and she had to pay a couple
hundred dollars. The fact that
my insurance covered the full
amount and I received a pump that
works beautifully have really helped
my breastfeeding journey.”
It is common for moms to feel
defeated, especially during those
first few months, when breastfeeding
doesn’t go as they’d hoped and
planned. Knowing what to do to
prepare for breastfeeding and when
to ask for help are crucial factors
in beginning and maintaining a
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
successful breastfeeding relationship.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
www.kellymom.com
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
JAPAN BIRTH RESOURCE NETWORK PROVIDES
EVIDENCE BASED INFORMATION AND MOTHER
FRIENDLY SUPPORT THROUGHOUT OKINAWA
AND JAPAN. To learn more visit:
www.japanbirthresourcenetwork.com
BIRTH EDUCATION CENTER OF OKINAWA’S
SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY:
n Thursday, February 4
- What to Expect Postpartum
n Friday, February 5
- Infant Massage (4 weeks class)
n Thursday, February 18
- Open House
n Saturday, February 20
- Question & Answer for Expectant
Families with Dr. Fumi of Yui Clinic
n Sunday, February 21
- Hypnobirthing Childbirth Class
Evening Series (5 weeks)
n Tuesday, February 23
- Hypnobirthing Childbirth Daytimes
STRIPES OKINAWA 3
Series (5 weeks)
n Thursday, February 25
- Labor of Love Childbirth Evening
Series (5 weeks)
n Saturday, February 27
- Birth Talk on “Comfort Measures”
n Monday, February 29
- Breastfeeding 101
n Ongoing: Lactation consultations,
complimentary therapy for labor,
infant massage, and childbirth
classes.
www.birthedcenterokinawa.com
4 STRIPES OKINAWA
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
Entrance examinations
Yearly rite of passage back with a vengeance
BY TAKAHIRO TAKIGUCHI,
STRIPES OKINAWA
O
n any given February
morning, you might see
hundreds of young students – some with parents, or
even teachers, in tow – flocking
to a nearby high school or university. Chances are they are on
their way to take their entrance
examinations.
Entrance exams – along with
hours upon hours of cram-school
study – are an annual rite of
passage that takes place nationwide in Japan during the second
month of the year. Most people
take these rigorous exams at
least twice in a lifetime – for
high school as well as college.
Those opting for private schools
test three or more times, usually
starting after elementary school.
Taking Exams
Some, like Ikuto Endo, now in
his last year at Minamishitaura
Middle School in Miura City,
Kanagawa, take more than one
exam a year just to hedge their
bets.
The 15-year-old hopes to work
in a car manufacturing plant after graduating from an industrial
high school. He took and passed
one entrance exam on Feb 10,
and was slated to take another,
for his dream school, on Feb 16.
“I wanted to take the exams for a public industrial high
school that I want to attend, but
my teacher strongly suggested
that I let the school recommend
me for a lower ranked private
school, too, just to be sure,” he
says. “She said there was a very
good chance I would fail the
exam and I need to prepare for the worst.”
Unlike
the
United
States,
free compulsory
education in Japan extends only
through
junior
Examination
papers for a
university entrance
examinations.
high or middle school. Families
typically pay the equivalent of
around $3,000 in tuition and fees
per student annually for public
high school. Private schools cost
twice or more as much. And students vie to get into the best high
schools just as they do colleges.
High school and college exams typically cover three to five
subjects, such as Japanese, English or another foreign language,
math, science and social studies.
They usually take the entire day
with a break for lunch.
In Japan, each college and high school is
ranked on a curve annually with lower ranking
schools in the 30s and
prestigious high schools
and universities such as
the University of Tokyo
in the low to mid 70s.
It is widely believed Ikuto Endo
that graduation from a
prestigious high school
and university virtually guarantees preferential treatment
from prospective universities or
employers after graduation. Every year, major universities are
besieged by four to eight times
as many applicants as there are
available slots, making for stiff
competition.
As a result, students study …
and study … and study.
Cram school craze
“Right now, I study about three
hours a day at home, besides going to a cram school to study for
three hours, three times a week,”
Ikuto says. “I was very worried
that I would not be able to go to
a high school at all, but I just today found I passed the entrance
examination for a private high
school. So, I feel much better. ”
Many students don’t make the
cut and must decide whether to
enter their second or
third school of choice.
The other option, primarily for university
candidates, is to wait
until the next year and
try again.
Those who do opt to
wait are called “ronin,”
literally
master-less
samurai, as they spend
a year or more collegeless while studying for
the next exam. About 16 percent
of all university candidates were
ronin in 2010, according to the
Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology’s most recent data. (Decades
ago when Japan had a larger
school-age population and fewer
schools, it was typically 40-50
percent.)
To give their children an edge
over the competition, many
parents turn to “juku,” or cram
schools, which have been doing
brisk business in Japan for decades. (Industry profits were at
one time in the $8.8 billion range
according to Bloomberg Business Weekly.)
“In Japan, February is the
busiest month for most students
from preschool and elementary
as well as middle to high school
who are preparing for examinations,” says Hideo Inaba, of Japan Juku Association.
It is widely believed by parents and children alike that
regular school curriculum is not
enough to acquire the test-taking
skills needed for entrance exams. Inaba estimates that there
are 50,000 juku in Japan and that
50-70 percent of students who
plan to take entrance exams use
them.
These exams tend to focus
on the quantity of knowledge
rather than deeper comprehension or mastery. To put it simply,
the more information from textbooks students can memorize,
the better their test scores.
After regular school hours,
students go to these cram
schools two to five times a week
to study for a couple of hours.
They provide thorough
information on various
STRIPES OKINAWA 5
schools and their test-giv- these days (due to Japan’s
ing tendencies along with shrinking birth rate), the numpainstaking guidance and ber of juku have pretty much
remained the same,” Inaba says.
coaching.
Tuition
ranges
between
10,000 to 50,000 yen ($90-$450) a
month or more. It is part of nearOne thing that has changed,
ly $95,000 in tuition and fees that
the Ministry of Education esti- according to Inaba, is the level
mates the average family pays of ambition in many students.
to put one child through Japan’s He says that gone are the days
public school system. It puts the when most students viewed Jaaverage cost of going through a pan’s entrance exam system as
private school system at about if it were a life-or-death matter.
“Many are not setting their
$200,000.
goals
very high for prestigious
“Although I had never
dreamed of sending my son to a schools; instead they tend to be
juku before, I couldn’t resist once content with schools they can
I saw most of his friends prepar- easily get accepted by,” he says.
“Maybe it is because
ing for their exams
there are less children
at one,” says Ikuto’s
these days that they have
mother, Yuko Endo.
to compete against, or
The 47-year-old homethey don’t care as much
maker adds that like
about attending brandmany of her friends
name schools. Only a few
she has taken a partstudents study in a daretime job to pay for it.
devil manner to enroll
“I started to worry that
in better schools these
he might not be able to
days.”
pass the exams unless
Nanami Asahina
To avoid of the comhe attended one.”
petition altogether, some
Inaba thinks that
students turn to using
theses days roughly half of the
recommendations from their
families that use juku get finanexisting schools to gain admitcial support for it from grandtance. The alternative method
parents.
allows a very limited number of
“That, I believe, is one of the
qualifying students a shot
reasons that more students can
at being admitted with
take individual lessons, which
just an interview and
cost three times as much as
an essay or short
group lessons,” he said, adding
test.
that the demand for one-on-one
“I didn’t study
tutoring has mushroomed in the for a high school
past 10 years to about 70 per- entrance exam at all
cent. “This is really a significant when I was a juchange for us.”
nior high school
Students aren’t the only ones student. Zero,”
vying for high marks in this su- says
Nanami
per competitive education sys- Asahina, 16, a
tem. Cram schools, many of senior who was
them mega chains, are also look- admitted to
ing to come out on top.
Kanagawa
In a bid to attract more and P r e f e c more students, each juku com- tural Kapetes against the other by de- m a r i y a
veloping its own textbooks and H i g h
curriculum, hiring skilled and S c h o o l
popular instructors and aggres- via
recsively advertising how many of o m m e n d a its former students pass the ex- tion. “I didn’t
ams of prestigious schools.
even think about
“So, although the number of going to high
children has rapidly declined
Alternative attitudes
school because I wanted to go
to beauty school and become a
beautician.”
But peer pressure landed
her, reluctantly, in high school,
anyway.
“My older colleagues in junior high told me that I had
better to go to a high school because it would give me more
experience and that would be
good for my future,” she said.
“That is the only reason why.”
So, for those who do opt for
the traditional cram-and-exam
method – with, perhaps, less fervor than their forefathers – how
sweet is the taste of success?
Not very, according to Kunihiko Ishii, 19, who last year entered a private prestigious Tokyo university after cramming
like crazy to make the cut.
“Once it’s over, the pressure
and motivation to study are
gone,” he says. “After having
spent so many years studying
just for exams, many of us have
little sense of what comes next –
or how to shape our futures.”
takiguchi.takahiro@stripes.com
t
yo
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o
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
it
The Univers
y
o
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
rsit
The Unive
ok
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Top: A student shows his joy after passing
the exam for the prestigious University of
Tokyo.
A little luck of the ‘ema’ for exams
Y
ou may be familiar with the
bunches of small wooden plaques with
drawings of horses and
Japanese characters
written on them that
can be found hanging in the gardens
of Shinto Shrines.
These “ema,” or
horse icons, are used
as prayers or wishes
for good luck in certain
endeavors.
Japanese believe that their
wish and prayers will come
true if they write them on these
plaques and hang them as offerings to the Shinto gods.
Some of the common
wishes for success include
work, family peace,
health and (yes, you
guessed it) school entrance examinations.
As each shrine is
dedicated to certain deities, different shrines are
frequented for different
types of fortune. Tenjin is
the Shinto god of scholars,
and his shrines are called
“tenmangu.”
Many students who are going
to take entrance exams
visit such tenmangu
as Futenmangu in
Futnema,
Okinawa; Dazaifu
Tenmangu
in
Fukuoka Prefecture;
and
Yushima Tenjin in
Tokyo to offer ema
for success. There are
many others elsewhere
throughout the nation.
They buy an ema for around 200
to 1,000 yen ($1.80-$9), write their
name and wish on the blank side
and hang it with all the others.
The tradition originated from
ancient times when people donated actual horses to the shrines for
good fortune. Since horses were expensive and hard to take care of at
shrines, artificial horses made from
wood, paper or ceramic were later
used as substitutes.
Then, over time, the use of
wooden plaques came into fashion.
In February, you will likely see
many students offering these ema
at shrines near you.
- Takahiro Takiguchi
Japanese high school students wearing the sailor fuku
6 STRIPES OKINAWA
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
Military
One Source
offers free tax
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WASHINGTON — With the holidays now over, service members
and their families might start
looking toward another annual
event, albeit one that generally
garners far less excitement: filing taxes.
The Defense Department
wants service members and
their families to know they can
get free tax consultations and
tax-filing software through Military OneSource, according to
Erika Slaton, program analyst
for Military OneSource.
“The financial environment in
which we live is very complex,”
Slaton said. “When you combine
that with the realities of military
life that includes frequent moves
and deployments, it can present some special
challenges
for
service members
and their families.”
The Defense
Department,
through Military
OneSource, has
teamed up, as it
has in previous
years, with H&R Block to offer
the free tax services.
The services could save members and families hundreds of
dollars, Slaton said. She encourages all those who are eligible to
consider using the services.
“It’s extremely important
because of those challenges [including] frequent moves and deployments, and because tax laws
change every year,” she said.
Military OneSource tax consultants are available January
through April 15, seven days
a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
eastern time at 1-800-342-9647.
After April 15, the consultants
can be reached Monday through
Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. eastern
time.
While Military OneSource tax
experts are available only via
the phone, Slaton points out that
other tax experts are available in
person at military installations
with a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, location.
The Military OneSource free
tax software, which can be found
at www.militaryonesource.mil,
is available at VITA locations as
well.
File electronically
The software is self-paced
and walks users through a series of questions to help them to
prepare their return. It allows
individuals to electronically file
a federal return and up to three
state tax returns.
“If at any time during the
course of completing their return, the user has any questions about their own tax situation, they can call Military
OneSource,” Slaton said.
Those eligible for the Military
OneSource tax services include
National Guard members, and
active duty and reserve members of the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy.
Immediate family members of
those eligible and non-remarried
survivors
from
any era can also
use the services.
Military members
who retired or
were discharged
honorably
are
eligible up to 180
days after leaving
the service.
Other
groups
are eligible, Slaton explained. She encourages
people to check the website for
further information or call Military OneSource to find out about
eligibility.
Available through June
The free tax preparation
and filing software is available
through the end of June.
The Military OneSource tax
software is secure, as the vendor
uses industry-recognized security safeguards, she said. The
vendor stands by the filer in the
event of an audit or mistake.
Military OneSource, which
is a confidential DoD-funded
program, offers many other resources, Slaton said, including
counseling and services related
to family and relationships, finances, health and wellness, education and employment.
“We encourage service members and their families to call
Military OneSource and just explore everything that Military
OneSource has to offer,” she said.
“They can call, click and connect
with Military OneSource today.”
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
STRIPES OKINAWA 7
8 STRIPES OKINAWA
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
75 years
‘THE SMILES ARE
Meet the USO team working behind the scenes to entertain thousands
F
BY CHAD STEWART,
USO
organization support and entertain thousands of service
members and military families every year.
Where it begins
or as long as the USO has existed, it has entertained service members in an effort to connect
The USO’s success starts with recruiting. Talented
them to the people, places and things they love. performers are an essential part of the USO’s enterAnd one of the things they love most is a tainment operation and the organization has a dedigood time. Ear-to-ear smiles brimming with joy and ex- cated team that works directly with celebrities and
citement are a recurring theme captured in thousands their teams of managers, agents and publicists to creof USO tour photos dating back to 1941. And the stars ate special events for service members and military
the USO sends around the world to entertain service families. They’re not just concerts, either. Movie premembers are smiling with them.
mieres, author readings, autograph sessions, handshake
If we could read their
tours—even cooking workminds, both sides—the pershops—are on the USO’s enformers and the patrons—
tertainment menu.
would probably share the
Juliet Gilliam, the USO’s
same sentiment: “This is
vice president of enterthe most fun I’ve had in a
tainment partnerships and
long time.”
talent relations, leads the
The stress of service and
group tasked with bringing
separation is unrelenting,
celebrities to the table.
but the USO works to reUSO tours have a storied
lieve some of that tension
history and many entertainby providing an outlet the
ers are proud to add to the
military community can use
legacy of keeping service
to decompress. Cheering, Jayne Mansfield and Bob Hope were greeted by Col. Robert P.
members connected to
screaming, laughing and Montgomery, Itazuke’s 8th FBW Commander. Terry Colonna (rear) family, home and country.
singing, even if it’s only for turns to give some advice to straggler Mickey Hargitay. Japanese But even with the organian hour, makes the outside employee Miss Morie Morinaga presenting bouquet to Jayne
zation’s long track record,
Mansfield. U.S. Army photo, not date availane
world disappear. A guitar
establishing new partnerriff, a side-splitting joke or
ships while maintaining
an impromptu game of flag football can help distract existing relationships is vital. Like any professional
service members and their families from the arduous relationship, open lines of communication are essential
lives they lead.
and preparation is key.
Thousands of performers have put smiles on millions
Long before a tour is booked or scheduled, Gilliam
of faces since the organization’s founding 75 years ago. and Mari Villalobos, the USO’s manager of entertainWhile they are just one of the many ways the USO sup- ment partnerships and talent relations, spend a lot of
ports the military, entertainment tours helped make the time on research. There are many variables to consider
organization an American institution.
with each tour, and the recruiting team considers them
Somehow the USO has always made these intricate all.
events look effortless, but it’s not an easy endeavor. The
Who do service members want to see? Which enterpeople working behind the scenes, meticulously plan- tainers have time to give? When will they be available?
ning each tour down to the smallest detail, help the How do those stars like to give back? The duo knows
what to ask before they reach out to managers, agents
and publicists. It’s how professionals operate.
The people who represent high-profile celebrities are
inundated with inquiries and pitched projects on a daily
basis and they know the difference between a professional pitch and one that comes from an unseasoned
amateur. When their caller IDs read “United Service
Organizations,” they are met with someone who has
done their homework.
Gilliam, who established ESPN’s philanthropic division before joining the USO more than three years ago,
has 20-plus years of diverse experience in entertainment, media and talent management. She said her professional background allows her to “understand different perspectives and where people are coming from,”
whether it’s building corporate partnerships or work- Chef and
on a sail
ing with celebrities on entertainment tours.
Photo cou
Scheduling and planning these events is a lengthy
process in most cases. Leah Kartun, the entertain- saying
ment partnerships and talent relations coordinator, your s
said the team balances multiple projects nearly every
Tha
day. Sometimes all the pieces fall into place with rela- ning a
tive ease, but the USO usually spends months preparing
The
for a tour. Gilliam said she always aims to book tours
ganiza
at least three months in advance to give the operations
than 8
team the time it needs to create a special event.
in 201
The planning process is not a one-sided affair, either.
They r
In most cases, it’s a collaborative effort between the
and in
USO and the teams of managers and publicists it works
to defe
with. Gilliam and Villalobos bring a detailed proposal to
In a
the table, but they’re also willing to incorporate other
USO
a
ideas.
bers
a
“We love it when our talent approaches us with ideas
About
that they have,” Gilliam said.
It’s one of the many ways the USO delivers a person- is und
alized experience for the entertainers. If an NFL player huge g
or Olympian wants to work out alongside service mem- mogra
bers, the recruiting and operations teams work hard to look fo
Alth
accommodate those kinds of requests.
They are also flexible about scheduling. While other is not
organizations might have specific timeframes they are base c
unwilling to deviate from, the USO is willing to work tertain
around the obstacles. “We’re actually going to them and For ex
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
STRIPES OKINAWA 9
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
USO HISTORICAL TIMELINE
As we celebrate 75 years of supporting our service members, we
invite you to look back at some of our highlights.
USO
FEB. 4, 1941: USO FOUNDED
With America’s military growing rapidly in response to the increasing threat proceeding America’s entry into World War II, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt challenged six private organizations—the YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic Community Service,
the National Jewish Welfare Board, the Traveler’s Aid Association
and the Salvation Army—to handle the on-leave recreation needs
of members of the armed forces. These organizations pooled their
resources and the United Service Organizations—which quickly
became known as the USO—was incorporated in New York State
on February 4, 1941.
The USO and the Coca-Cola Company joined forces to ensure
every GI had the taste of home. The relationship has endured and
grown in the 75 years since.
OCT. 30, 1941: USO CAMP SHOWS, INC. ESTABLISHED
USO Camp Shows brought live entertainment to American
service members. From 1941 and 1947, more than 7,000 “soldiers
in greasepaint” performed an incredible 428,521 USO shows. The
USO show concept has endured and continues today as USO Entertainment.
DEC.1947: USO CLUBS AND FACILITIES CLOSE
AWESOME’
s of service members and their families
d television star Robert Irvine, left, puts the final touches
lor’s plate during a 2014 USO tour stop on Okinawa.
urtesy of USO
g, ‘We’d love to have you and we will work around
schedule,’” Gilliam said.
at personal touch, along with the extensive planand preparation, makes a huge difference.
e stars who donate their time and talents to the oration seem to come back again and again. More
85 entertainers and celebrities toured for the USO
15 and many were on their second and third tours.
return year after year because they are motivated
nspired by people who are willing to risk their lives
end their country.
a way, the artists and athletes who tour for the
are chosen by the troops, although service memaren’t active participants in the selection process.
t 65 percent of the active-duty military population
der 30, according to the Defense Department. That
group of more than 900,000 is the USO’s key deaphic in many ways, so Gilliam and her team often
or performers who appeal to that constituency.
hough large, that group of young service members
the only group the USO caters to. Villalobos said
commands sometimes ask for a specific type of enner that fits the demographics of the installation.
xample, the Sesame Street/USO Experience for
Military Families is a popular request for family-friendly installations, while bases inundated with young,
single service members might prefer a musician, comedian, actor or athlete.
“I think it speaks volumes if we send out entertainment to them that’s relevant not only to the service
members but to their peers,” she said. For the most
part, selecting the right person for the right place falls
to the USO’s recruiting team.
“Our team tries to stay on the pulse of what is appealing to the general public,” said Villalobos, a selfdescribed Army brat whose father was a member of the
82nd Airborne Division and Special Forces. “We want
to make sure those are the folks we send out to tour …
because that’s the touch of home that service members
are missing.”
Showing service members and military families a
good time is paramount, but providing performers a rewarding, memorable experience is important, too. It’s
another way the USO keeps entertainers coming back
for subsequent tours. Sometimes they return home with
great stories and are able to inspire others to join the
USO’s entertainment roster.
It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, it’s
a boon for the USO. Entire tours have been built based
on the positive experiences of USO tour veterans. When
reaching out to potential entertainment partners, it definitely pays to have good references.
“I think in those cases when it does happen, it gives
the USO the leverage that we need to go to that manager or publicist about other clients who maybe aren’t
familiar with the USO and haven’t gone on a tour,” said
Villalobos, who understands how talent managers and
their clients choose the charities and nonprofits they
support. Before coming to the USO about three years
ago, she represented athletes and their interests at Wasserman Media Group, a giant in sports marketing and
talent representation.
“If entertainers have good experiences, they’re going
to be more inclined to [tour] again or tell their friends.”
SEE USO ON PAGE 14
Throughout World War II, the USO was the channel for community participation in the war effort. In December 1947, all USO
clubs and facilities were closed and the organization was given an
honorable discharge by President Harry S. Truman. By war’s end,
the USO could claim more than 1.5 million volunteers had worked
on its behalf.
DEC. 1947: USO CLUBS AND FACILITIES CLOSE
Throughout World War II, the USO was the channel for community participation in the war effort. In December 1947, all USO
clubs and facilities were closed and the organization was given an
honorable discharge by President Harry S. Truman. By war’s end,
the USO could claim more than 1.5 million volunteers had worked
on its behalf.
1951-1953: USO REACTIVATED FOR THE KOREAN WAR
At the beginning of the Korean War, the USO was called upon
to again provide social, recreational and entertainment support
for America’s servicemen and women. The USO and the Defense
Department entered into Memorandum of Understanding.
Once again, USO Camp Shows performed thousands of times
for battle-weary service members. By 1953, not a single day
passed without a USO show somewhere in Korea.
1964: BOB HOPE’S FIRST USO CHRISTMAS TOUR TO
VIETNAM
For the first time in its history, USO centers were located in
combat zones with the opening of the USO center in Saigon, Vietnam. The 17 centers opened in Vietnam and six in Thailand served
as many as a million service members a month.
Bob Hope took his USO Christmas show to Vietnam for the first
time in 1964 starting a tradition that endured into the next decade.
At the war’s height, 40 percent of America’s entire overseas forces
were in Vietnam. Roughly 5,559 USO performances took place
during the Vietnam
years.
Baseball stars visit the
troops in Vietnam in 1966.
Stars and Stripes
1967: NFL PARTNERS WITH THE USO
The NFL joined forces with the USO and became the first sports
organization to send a group of players to Vietnam and other parts
of the Far East. The first four players were Johnny Unitas, Frank
Gifford, Willie Davis and Sam Huff – all future Hall of Famers.
1972: USO CLUBS CLOSED IN VIETNAM AS PEACETIME
SERVICES LAUNCHED
With the end of U.S. involvement in Vietnam, the United Way
of America and the Defense Department conducted a major review of USO programs and services, and concluded: “If there
were no USO, another organization would have to be created...
Isolation of the military from civilian influences is not, we believe,
in the interest of this nation.” Thus, the USO was launched into a
new era of peacetime service.
SEE TIMELINE ON PAGE 12
10 STRIPES OKINAWA
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
A
&
Q kinawa Director
75 years
with the O
STRIPES OKINAWA
n NAME: James P. VanEtten, Jr., but I like to go by
Phil VanEtten
n POSITION: USO Director Okinawa
n TIME WITH USO: I’m a newbie and just started
Jan. 4. I did my last four years of active duty with
the Marine Corps here in Okinawa and retired
in July 2009 after 27 years with the Corps. I
remained on island so my daughter, Christal,
could graduate from Kubasaki High School with
her peers. FYI, she just graduated from Western
Washington last month. I worked for Booz Allen
Hamilton for 6.5 years after retirement in support
of III MEF mission requirements before starting
with the USO.
W
HY DID YOU JOIN THE USO? When I was 12 years
old, my neighbor John Dugger recommended
I read Gale Sayer’s autobiography, “I am
third.” From that time on, I tried to live a lifestyle
of putting others first. His book had a tremendous
impact on me and changed the way I think. I spent
an entire Marine Corps career trying to put others
first. In late fall of 2015, a good friend and mentor
of mine saw the job opening for the USO Director
here in Okinawa and forwarded the hiring link
to me. After reading the information, I saw an
opportunity to apply my skills and experience to a
job that “always puts others first”. My lifestyle and
the mission/purpose of the USO could not align any
closer. I’m so happy now!
W
HAT MAKES THE USO SO SPECIAL? One could
argue that the USO is special because of its
employees and leadership. Or because of
the commitment from so many great citizens back
home whether they be movie stars, musicians,
or those every day individuals and organizations
who donate to the USO in support of our military
service members. All would be good answers. But
in the end, I think the USO is special because of
our volunteers who are committed to taking care of
American’s finest. The USO has 600 employees and
over 30,000 volunteers. In order for us to provide
programs, entertainment and services at nearly 200
USO locations worldwide, including Afghanistan,
Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Germany, Italy,
Japan, Guam, South Korea, Djibouti and the United
States, we need the dedication and support of our
volunteers. We could not perform the mission of the
USO without them. Those volunteers along with
our dedicated employees make up the pillars of the
USO’s success.
W
HAT’S THE USO’S TARGET AUDIENCE? The short
answer is America’s military service
members, but we must go beyond that
audience. Our new mission is: “The USO
strengthens America’s military service members
by keeping them connected to family, home and
country, throughout their service to the nation.”
In order to keep our military’s service members
connected, we need to work with their families, their
military leadership, and community leaders. Often
times, we have familes deployed here in Okinawa
and we need to work closely with them, too. Family
Readiness is critical to making and sustaining a
successful warrior and is also a force multiplier to
our commanders. So overall, we target America’s
military service members and their families. Please
note the last six words of our new mission statement.
We will connect service members throughout their
service. So the USO can now be found in MEPS
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
stations all the way until our warriors transition
back to the civil sector.
W
HAT ARE SOME OF GOALS YOU HAVE AS THE NEW
USO DIRECTOR ON OKINAWA? We are trying to
establish a framework and organization in
Okinawa (and the region for that matter) that will
insure we successfully accomplish the new mission
of the USO. For 75 years, we strived to “lift the
spirits of America’s troops and their families,” which
was a great mission. But now we focus on the days
ahead and what will need to occur over the next 75
years to insure that we provide that connection and
sustain it through our service members’ military
service. For me, I need to provide the resource and
tools to the great team we have here in Okinawa
to enable their continued success. For example,
the USO Center at Camp Hansen sees over 85,000
service members per year. I need to provide a
framework to my team that will keep the doors open
longer at other centers like Kinser and Courtney, so
that their foot traffic/users will increase along with
support to our service members there as well.
W
HERE TO DO YOU SEE THE USO IN ANOTHER 5
YEARS? I think in the next 5 years, we will
see remarkable changes in the USO. We
are not just coffee and donuts anymore. We will
start with some new programs to help our service
members’ transition back into the civil sector and
increase their successful transition. From there,
there will be changes in how we support what I
call the expeditionary side of the USO. There are
probably many other changes on the horizon, but
one thing that will not change is our commitment
and dedication to our service members and their
families.
Upcoming Events
February:
n 4 FEB: USO Kinser Grand Opening
n 4 FEB: 75th Anniversary celebrations around the
island(all USO locations)
n 4 FEB: USO Camp Schwab 40th Anniversary
celebration
n 8 FEB: Super Bowl showing in HD + breakfast/snacks
(all USO locations)
n MID-FEB (EXACT DATES TBD): NFL Handshake Tour
- Featuring: Head Coach Chuck Pagano and Mike
Adams-Safety, Anthony Castonzo-Offensive Tackle,
D’Qwell Jackson-Linebacker, Robert MathisOutside Linebacker, Pat McAfee-Punter
n 27 FEB: 45th Annual Service Salute, sign up at http://
usoservicesalute.eventzilla.net (Butler Officers’
Club)
March:
n 13 MAR: USO Hansen 40th Anniversary
n 17 MAR: St. Patricks Day Event USO Hansen
n 19 MAR: Shop-N-Drop Donation Drive Camp
Courtney Commissary
n 26 MAR: Easter Egg Hunt Celebration USO Kinser
n 27 MAR: Henoko Easter Party USO Camp Schwab
n 27 MAR: USO Hansen Easter Event
n 18 MAR: Movie on the Lawn USO Camp Courtney
April:
n 15 APR: Shop N Drop at Hansen Exchange
May:
n 8 MAY: Mother’s Day Event (All USO locations)
n 14/15 MAY: Pacific Okinawa Players (POPS)
Performance USO Futenma
n 19 MAY: Shop N Drop at Camp Courtney Commissary
June:
n 5 JUN: Father’s Day Event (All USO locations)
n 11/12 JUN: MCAS Futenma Flightline Festival (USO
Futenma)
n 18 JUN: Shop N Drop at Hansen Exchange
n 17 JUN: Movie on the Lawn USO Camp Courtney
July:
n 4 JUL: 4th of July celebrations (All USO locations)
n 16 JUL: Shop N Drop at Camp Courtney Commissary
n 29 OCT: Henoko Halloween Party USO Camp Schwab
n DATE TBD: What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Baby Showers with Heidi Murkoff
November:
n 5 NOV: Shop N Drop at Camp Courtney Commissary
n 24 NOV: Thanksgiving celebrations (All USO
locations)
n Color Blast 5K (Camp Lester)
December:
n 17 DEC: Shop N Drop at Hansen Exchange
n DATE TBD: Henoko Christmas party USO Camp
Schwab
n Holiday celebrations (All USO locations)
n 31 DEC: New Year’s Eve Celebration (Select USO
locations)
August:
n 6/7 AUG: Hansen Fest (USO Hansen)
n 20 AUG: Shop N Drop at Hansen Exchange
n H2Go 5K USO Kadena
September:
n Glo Run 5K USO Hansen
October:
n 1 OCT: Shop N Drop at Camp Courtney Commissary
n 15 OCT: Shop N Drop at Hansen Exchange
n 7/14/21/28 OCT: Movie on the Lawn Freaky Friday
Series USO Camp Courtney
n 28 OCT: USO Hansen Halloween Carnival
n 28 OCT: USO Futenma Halloween Party
Photo courtesy of USO
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
STRIPES OKINAWA 11
12 STRIPES OKINAWA
75 years
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
USO HISTORICAL TIMELINE
1977: USO HEADQUARTERS MOVED TO
WASHINGTON, D.C.
The USO’s international headquarters moved
from New York to Washington, DC, in 1977, firmly
establishing it as an international agency serving our nation’s military members worldwide. On
May 30, 1985, the USO headquarters building was
dedicated as the “Bob Hope Building,” in honor of
comedian Bob Hope.
Jay Leno entertains troops during the Gulf War. Photo courtesy of USO
‘Force behind
the forces’
BY PAUL PISANO,
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, USO PACIFIC REGION
How the USO was formed
“Not by machines alone will we win this war.” With
those words, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt forged
the creation of the United Service Organizations for National Defense in February 1941, which he charged with
strengthening the morale of America’s military men and
women by keeping them connected the things the President knew they would surely become separated from in
service to their country. The U.S. had not yet entered
World War II, but in preparation for the inevitable, President Roosevelt challenged six private organizations – the
YMCA, YWCA, National Catholic Community Service, the
National Jewish Welfare Board, the Traveler’s Aid Association and the Salvation Army – to create an organization
that would keep service members in touch with the bonds
of family and the comforts of home, no matter where or
under what conditions they served.
Roosevelt chose Thomas E. Dewey
to serve as the first USO Campaign
Chairman. Dewey resigned the post
to become governor of New York and
Roosevelt soon selected one of his political rivals as the second USO Campaign Chairman. This decision set
a tone of nonpartisan unity that proudly persists to this
day. Prescott S. Bush – eventual father of one president,
grandfather of another – rallied Americans around the
cause of the USO and raised millions of dollars to support
its growth.
Since the USO’s incorporation in New York State on February 4, 1941, it has grown to what it is today – America’s
vital bridge, connecting service members back to the nation and people they have signed up to serve. We operate
USO centers and support programs across America and
around the world, maintain a satellite communications
system, and harness the collective energy of 30,000-plus
volunteers who truly serve as the nation’s force behind
the forces.
USO mission
The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation.
Where the USO is located
With the support of 600 employees and 30,000 volunteers, the USO provides programs, entertainment and services at nearly 200 USO locations worldwide, including
Afghanistan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Germany,
Italy, Japan, Guam, South Korea, Djibouti and the United
States. The USO claims 19 USO Centers in the Pacific Region…specifically in South Korea, Hawaii, Guam, Japan
and Okinawa. Three additional three USO Centers are
scheduled to open in 2016. The USO in the Pacific Region also provides USO support to our deploying forces
as well…Known as USO Expeditionary Support, the USO
supports military exercises in Darwin, Thailand, Philippines, and the Pohakulua Training Area in Hawaii,
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
1991: USO OPENED THREE CENTERS IN
SOUTHWEST ASIA DURING THE PERSIAN GULF
WAR
The United States was involved in a confrontation with Iraq that challenged American service
members in new ways. Service members were
deployed in the desert for at least six months at
a time with little recreation or contact from home.
The USO immediately responded by opening
three centers in the Southwest Asia including
centers in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and
Saudi Arabia.
1996: USO ESTABLISHED CENTERS IN
HUNGARY
In 1996, U.S. forces took part in Operation Joint
Endeavor and Operation Joint Guard to secure
peace in the Balkans. The USO established centers
in Hungary and entertained service members in
the Bosnian theatre of operations.
2003: USO OPERATION PHONE HOME™
LAUNCHED
USO Operation Phone Home™ delivers prepaid international phone cards to deployed service members free of charge. The phone cards are
distributed through USO centers overseas and,
most often, are delivered directly to military units
abroad. It is one of the most frequently requested
services from our forward-deployed service members, and to date, the USO has provided more
than 3.2 million free, prepaid international calling
cards – connecting service members to their loved
ones back home.
DEC. 2007: ACTOR ROBIN WILLIAMS GOES
ON THE CHAIRMAN’S HOLIDAY TOUR
Robin Williams was committed to making service members smile.The comic legend, who passed
away in 2014, went on six USO tours between
2002 and 2013, including five overseas. Through
his work with the USO, Williams visited troops in
12 countries, making three stops to both Iraq and
Afghanistan.
“ T h e r e’s
nothing
I
enjoy more
than traveling with the
USO
and
giving back
to our troops
in whatever
way I can,”
Williams
said during
a 2007 USO
Photo by Chad J. McNeeley, DOD
tour led by
t h e n - C h a i rman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen. “They work hard, sacrifice a lot and deserve to
be treated like the heroes they are. The very least I
can do is bring a smile to their faces.”
JUN. 2009: THE COLBERT REPORT TAPED A
WEEK’S WORTH OF SHOWS IN IRAQ
The USO named Stephen Colbert “Mr. USO”
and sent him to Iraq for a week-long taping and
airing of The Colbert Report. The tour was a smashing success, with service members able to enjoy
the show in person, along with millions more
viewers back home. A year later, The Colbert Report dedicated two special episodes as a salute
to service members. “Been There: Won That: The
Returnification of the American-Do Troopscape”
features several of the same guests who appeared
during the Iraq shows, including Gen. Ray Odierno, who – as you’ll recall – participated in one of
the most talked about moments from the show—
shaving Stephen Colbert’s head.
1987: USO SIGNED A NEW MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE DEPARTMENT
OF DEFENSE
In 1987, under the terms of a new Memorandum
of Understanding with the Department of Defense,
the USO was recognized as the principal channel
representing civilian concern for the U.S. Armed
Forces worldwide. The agreement authorized the
USO to play an active role in coordinating civilian
volunteers and resources, as well as fostering the
general public’s interest in the welfare of our service members and their families stationed around
the world.
1993: USO SENT ENTERTAINMENT TO
SERVICE MEMBERS IN SOMALIA
Once again, the USO followed our servicemen
and women when they were deployed to Somalia
in 1993 for Operation Restore Hope.
2002: OPERATION CARE PACKAGE CREATED
BY USO METROPOLITAN WASHINGTONBALTIMORE
Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001,
the Department of Defense suspended its practice
of forwarding correspondence and personal care
packages from the American public to “Any Service Member.” In its place, the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore created Operation USO
Care Package to boost morale and provide a safe
and secure way for the public to show their support. The packages only contained items donated
by or purchased from manufacturers in bulk.
APR. 2005: THE USO OPENED THE PAT
TILLMAN MEMORIAL USO CENTER IN
AFGHANISTAN
In April 2005, the USO opened the Pat Tillman
Memorial USO Center at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. The center was named for former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman, who put his career in the
NFL on hold to join the Army after the 9/11 terrorist
attacks and was later killed in action in Afghanistan.
The NFL provided most of the funding for the facility, donating $250,000 to the USO for construction
of a recreational building for service members at
Bagram
Air Base.
Stars and Stripes
2008: THE USO OPENED USO BALAD, IRAQ
The USO center in Balad, Iraq opened its doors,
extending its services and programs to service
members supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
OCT. 21, 2008: USO CENTER OPENED AT
LANDSTUHL REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
In 2008, the USO completed the construction of
a 4,000 square-foot USO Warrior Center at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany to extend supportive services to a greater number of
service men and women and their families. The
USO Warrior Center was the first USO center dedicated to wounded, ill and injured service members.
NOV. 2009: USO BASRA, IRAQ OPENED
USO Basra was the third USO center to open
in Iraq. In November 2009, USO COB Basra was
the largest USO center in Southwest Asia –11,000
square feet – providing deployed service members a touch of home and connecting them to
loved ones back home.
FEBRUARY 4 − FEBRUARY 10, 2016
SEP. 17, 2010: USO CENTER OPENS IN
KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN
In 2010, the USO expanded its reach to service members in the region, opening five new
centers in Iraq and Afghanistan. On September
17, the USO opened its eleventh center in Southwest Asia at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan. The
8,200-square-foot facility continues to serve thousands of deployed service members at the airfield,
as well as those traveling to and from forward operating bases in the region.
NOV. 14, 2011: USO WISHBOOK LAUNCHED
The USO Wishbook is the USO’s online alternative-giving catalog, which offers donors a way to
support the USO by purchasing symbolic gifts for
friends and loved ones that help America’s service
members and their families. It is modeled after
successful sites like Heifer International. The USO
Wishbook can be found at www.usowishbook.org.
A STARS AND STRIPES COMMUNITY PUBLICATION
2011: LAST USO CENTER IN IRAQ CLOSES
In 2011, the USO closed its last center in Iraq in
response to the withdrawal of U.S. combat service
members from the country.
“We closed our last center in Iraq during the
fourth quarter of 2011. We’ve taken the large majority of the resources that we were investing in Iraq
and shifted those into Afghanistan. That’s one of
the reasons that we’ve been able to support such
a large growth in our presence in Afghanistan –
most through our centers, but also through a program called ‘USO2GO,’ where we actually ship
pallet loads.” – Sloan Gibson, then-USO President
and CEO
Photo by Christopher B. Stoltz, Stars and Stripes
In 2014, USO centers were visited more than 7
million times by service members and their families. USO centers provide a warm and comforting place
where they can connect via Internet or telephone, play a
video game, catch a movie, have a snack or just put their
feet up and relax.
FEB.5, 2013: USO WARRIOR AND FAMILY
CENTER OPENED AT FORT BELVOIR
The more than 20,000-square-foot building on
Fort Belvoir, VA, is the largest USO center ever
built and supports wounded, ill and injured service
members, their family members and caregivers.
Positioned in the shadow of Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and the Fort Belvoir Warrior Transition
Unit barracks, service members recovering from
war wounds and injuries have access to state-ofthe-art, ADA-compliant spaces to relax, have fun
and learn away from the grind of the hospital.
USO plans during its milestone
75th Anniversary
Kids watch the 2012 Sesame Street/USO Experience
for Military Families at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
Photo by Fred Greaves, USO
FEB. 13, 2012: USO AWARDED THE NATIONAL
MEDAL OF ARTS
“The USO is honored for contributions to lifting the spirits of America’s troops and their families through the arts. With thousands of entertainers volunteering their time and talents over the
years and around
the globe, the USO continues the tradition
begun by Bob Hope of bringing iconic American
artists to entertain the troops who are protecting America’s freedom and culture at home and
abroad.” –The National Endowment for the Arts
Then-Denver Broncos Cornerback Champ Bailey
autographs a football for a soldier stationed in the
Middle East during a stop on a weeklong USO/ NFL
tour in March 2013. Photo courtesy of USO
APR. 1, 2014: USO WARRIOR AND FAMILY
CENTER OPENED AT NAVAL SUPPORT
ACTIVITY BETHESDA
Located on the campus of Naval Support Activity Bethesda, MD, home of Walter Reed National
Military Medical Center, the USO Warrior and
Family Center at Bethesda is strategically located
adjacent to the wounded warrior barracks, known
as Tranquility Hall, making it more convenient for
wounded, ill and injured service members and
their families to get support during their recovery process. At more than 16,000 square feet, the
building features dozens of spaces and hundreds
of programs and services that support service
members and military families.
MAY 11, 2015: THE USO ESTABLISHED THE
USO TRANSITION 360 ALLIANCE
The USO announced the USO Transition 360
Alliance, an initiative to help military personnel
and their families successfully transition back into
civilian life after their service ends. The USO Transition 360 Alliance partners include the Comfort
Crew for Military Kids, Hire Heroes USA, RP/6 and
Stronger Families.
MAY 2015: USO ANNOUNCED FIRST-EVER
BILINGUAL PSA
The USO debuts its first-ever bilingual public
service announcement (PSA) to thank the millions of service members and military families
stationed around the world. The 30-second USO
PSA, entitled “¡Gracias!,” premiered in celebration
of Military Appreciation Month and ran throughout the year on select television, radio and digital
outlets. “¡Gracias!” is the USO’s first celebrity endorsed bilingual PSA and featured some of today’s
hottest Sony Music Latin artists.
STRIPES OKINAWA 13
AUG. 2013: USO EXPANDED ITS REACH TO
AUSTRALIA
The USO established a day room lounge with
gaming consoles, TVs, furniture and wireless internet for Marines on six-month training rotations in
Darwin on Australia’s northern coast.
OCT.2014: SESAME STREET/USO EXPERIENCE
FOR MILITARY FAMILIES ENTERTAINED ITS
500,000TH MILITARY FAMILY MEMBER
It’s always a sunny day on Sesame Street. But
Elmo, Cookie Monster and the Muppets had an
extra special reason to sing and dance with all
their friends: The Sesame Street/USO Experience
for Military Families, the longest running annual
USO tour, entertained its 500,000th military family
member in October. Since 2008, this tour has delivered memorable moments to military children
and their parents through more than 1,010 shows
at more than 148 military bases in 33 states and
11 countries.
To mark its anniversary, the USO is inviting Americans to get reacquainted with today’s USO, whose mission is to strengthen America’s military service members
by keeping them connected to family, home and country
throughout their service to the nation. This mission cannot be accomplished by the USO alone. All Americans can
help their military neighbors, friends and relatives – and
service members whom they’ve never met – by staying
more closely connected to them as they serve the nation.
Therefore, as we transition to the next 75 years, the USO
is dedicating itself to making those connections easier to
maintain. The USO’s means of “connecting” is through
Transition 360 Alliance.
The USO Transition 360 Alliance is an initiative to help
U.S. military personnel and their families successfully
transition into civilian life after their service ends. The
USO Transition 360 Alliance leverages the USO’s global
resources and the programmatic expertise of additional
nonprofit organizations to provide a broader range of impactful programs and services to support troops and military families in developing a plan for the future, pursuing
new career paths and strengthening their families and
community networks.
USO Transition 360 Alliance Partners
currently include:
n Rally point/6 (RP/6), an organization the helps servicemen and women develop plans for the future by
connecting them to transition resources within their
community.
n Hire Heroes, USA, assisting service members and their
spouses with pursuing new career paths.
n Stronger Families and Comfort Crew for Military Kids,
each helping to strengthen and support our military
families.
JUN.2015: USO OPENED FIRST STAFFED
CENTER IN AFRICA AT CAMP LEMONNIER IN
DJIBOUTI
After last year’s announcement that the U.S.
would spend $1 billion over the next 20 years to
enlarge the base in Djibouti, the USO decided it
was time to open a permanent canteen to bring
a touch of home to service members stationed
there.
NOV.12, 2015: USO AND RP/6 OPENED FIRST
CO-BRANDED LOCATION
The USO and RP/6 cut the ribbon on their cobranded location near Fort Campbell, KY. Envisioned as a one-stop shop for military transition,
it’s the first of five co-branded centers opening in
the coming months. Together, through the USO
Transition 360 Alliance, we’re connecting transitioning service members and their families with
the resources they need as they move into the civilian world
Actress Angelina Jolie meets with wounded warriors at Ramstein Air
Base, Germany, as the warriors prepare to travel back to the United
States. Photo by Caleb Pierce, U.S. Air Force
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USO: Creating memories
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
The producers
The USO’s entertainment
department is made up of two
equally important parts—recruiting and operations—and
they work together to form one
cohesive unit. Rachel Tischler,
the USO’s vice president of
entertainment, and her team
of three tour producers work
behind the scenes, carefully orchestrating and executing each
event. She has set a lofty objective for her group.
“What we strive for with every experience is [to create] the
moments people will tell their
family about for the rest of their
lives,” she said. “That’s what
we want to have happen on every single USO tour.”
To an outsider, it’s a complex
process involving a labyrinth
of moving parts. To the experienced staff assigned to navigate that maze, it’s just another
day at the office. Entertainers
who go on USO tours are taken care of from the time they
leave their homes until the tour
is complete. Everything that
happens in between is the tour
producer’s domain. The first
step to any tour is figuring out
where to go and how much time
the talent has to give.
“Then it’s really nuts-andbolts basics of getting information so we can get [security]
clearances, plane tickets and
everything that is needed to
get them out the door to getting
them home,” said Tischler, who
worked on Broadway musicals
as a general manager before
joining the USO more than 11
years ago.
USO Tour Producer Jeremy
Wilcox said the entire process
hopefully starts by connecting
with one member of the entertainer’s staff. The list of interested parties usually grows
from there.
“Ideally, it’s one person we
reach out to with a welcome
packet of information they have
to fill out,” he said. “Sometimes
it’s multiple people—a publicist
who wants to include the management, the tour manager, the
production manager. So it could
Troops hold up a “Hi Bob” banner during one of Bob Hope’s USO shows. USO photo Photo courtesy of USO
be four or five people on an
email and we start the conversation.”
Ground service to the airport, visas and hotel arrangements are also handled by the
USO. It seems simple enough,
but planning two, three or four
international tours at once can
get complicated fast. Add in the
military’s rigid guidelines and
the process gets even tougher.
“The military crafts the
itinerary for the day we’re on
their base, but then we have
to go through it to make sure
it meets our needs and the
talent’s needs,” Wilcox said.
“Then we coordinate with numerous military personnel on a
base and they have people they
coordinate with because they
have to run it up the chain of
command.”
Once the schedule and travel arrangements are settled,
the hard work of producing an
event or coordinating a handshake tour takes center stage.
For tours with production or
other special needs, that means
bringing in and operating
stages, equipment, video monitors or anything else needed
Musician Trace Adkins checks out the inside of a tank at Camp Buehring, Kuwait,
during a USO tour to the Middle East in April. Photo courtesy of USO
to create a lively atmosphere.
The USO partners with vendors
around the world to get the job
done.
“We have a group of phenomenal production managers
who are freelancers,” said Betty Naylor, who’s produced USO
tours for more than 19 years.
“They range from a young man
who came from Seether, (a
hard-rock band that has been
on USO tours), to folks who
have been in the business for 45
or 50 years.”
These are the people who
operate the sophisticated audio and lighting equipment
that gives the events the look
and feel of a show you’d buy a
ticket to see. There’s no money exchanged at the gates of
USO shows—they’re all free
to service members and their
families—but that doesn’t mean
troops don’t have to lift a finger,
or 200-pound speakers.
Instead, the USO relies on
the world’s most disciplined
and physically fit roadies to get
the gear off the truck and into
the hands of the pros. Service
members often volunteer to do
the heavy lifting and the civilian production managers tell
them what goes where. USO
tour producers like Naylor
and Wilcox are usually on site
to watch everything come together, but they can’t be everywhere all the time. On average,
the USO produces between 50
and 60 tours each year, which
translates into 300 or 400 individual events.
The feedback the USO receives from its tour veterans
is largely positive and Naylor
said keeping the stars and their
staffs informed throughout the
process minimizes surprises.
“A major thing for all of our
tours is managing expectations
so [entertainers] understand
that we are going to take the
best possible care we can of
these folks, but they may have
to deviate from what their multipage rider says,” she said,
referencing the lists of backstage items some performers
request. The USO does the best
it can to make the entertainers
comfortable in what can often
be an unfamiliar environment.
“They appreciate how well
we’ve taken care of them, Wilcox said. “And how well we
manage not only the itinerary,
but bands thank us for the level
of production we’re able to provide. … We go into the desert,
but we still put on an amazing
show with good equipment and
production gear.”
Complex,
professionally
staged performances are what
the USO is known for crafting,
but lower-profile handshake
tours can be just as difficult to
create. These types of daylong
events, where an entertainer
meets service members, signs
autographs and takes pictures,
seem low-key and straightforward. Tischler explained why
they’re not.
“On a band tour, we create
one big event,” she said. “You
know you’ve delivered something for everyone who shows
up.”
But on a handshake tour, the
USO creates individual moments throughout an entire day,
sometimes for several days.
“We need to create multiple
quality experiences time and
time again.”
These types of tours are also
a great opportunity for entertainers to connect with service
members and see what they
do every day. The organization works with the military to
provide an array of behind-thescenes experiences so the entertainers can come home and
talk about their one-of-a-kind
adventures with the USO.
Wilcox, who started his career as a stage manager at The
Second City, a legendary improvisational comedy theater in
Chicago, says the USO tour experience is a win-win situation
for both sides. Service members and families have a chance
to see or meet someone they admire and the same goes for the
entertainers.
“The military audience is an
appreciative audience, particularly when we go downrange or
to a place where they are separated from their friends and
families,” he said. “To see their
reactions when I bring celebrities is very touching, moving
and exciting. And then to hear
the celebrity go through their
day and then, in a private moment, talk about what an amazing day they had … it’s very rewarding to see that.”
“It’s definitely a collective
effort,” Tischler said. “I applaud our producers because
they manage a large team of
people who don’t actually work
for the USO, but we get them to
all work together in harmony to
deliver a wonderful experience
for troops and families.”
The last frontier
In September, the USO and
its partners at SiriusXM traveled to Alaska to deliver quality
experiences to service members and military families stationed there.
USO tour veterans Storme
Warren, Rodney Atkins and
The Swon Brothers took a oneweek swing through the state,
stopping at Eielson Air Force
Base, Joint Base ElmendorfRichardson and U.S. Coast
Guard Base Kodiak.
“We don’t get a lot out here
in Kodiak,” said Coast Guard
Petty Officer 3rd Class Keely
Hansen, referring to the lack
of entertainment options on the
island installation 250 miles
south of Anchorage. “It’s still
in Alaska, but there’s not much
here, so to have a big star come
and put on a show for us is
amazing.”
Eielson, just south of North
Pole, Alaska, is one of the most
isolated American air bases in
the world. The average temperature barely touches 50 degrees
in the early fall and the excruciating winter weather, which
usually starts in October, can
affect morale. It had been years
since the base hosted a concert,
so service members and their
families were ready to let loose
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The USO and SiriusXM sent TV and radio host Storme Warren and country
musicians Rodney Atkins and the Swon Brothers on a weeklong tour to
Alaska to entertain service members at three U.S. bases in September.
Photo by Fred Greaves, USO
before the snow started flying.
“When these entertainers come out here, it is a huge boost in
morale because they bring a little taste of home to us, especially
[with] some of the songs they sing,” said Air Force Staff Sergeant Shawn Nickel. “It is important for families and military
to unwind at USO events … because there are so many hidden
stresses working for the military that people from the outside
don’t see,” he said.
Country musicians Zach and Colton Swon were happy put
the service members at ease. “We could never do what they
(service members) do,” Colton said. “But we do know how to
play music and if that will give anybody a little relaxation, or a
little getaway for a night, we’re happy to do it.”
He said the best part of the entire tour was just meeting and
shaking hands with the men and women who serve. “We get to
do what we love to do because of them.”
Zach Swon volunteered to put on a padded suit used to train
military working dogs just because he wanted to experience the
rush of being mauled by what he called a “fur missile.”
“I immediately regretted that decision once the dog latched
onto my arm,” he said. “You can feel it through the suit, but it
was awesome.”
Atkins, a chart-topping country star, is as laid back as they
come, but he was excited to talk about the incredible service
members he met on his fourth USO tour.
“Somebody said to me today, ‘It’s so great you guys come
up here and do this, and it makes us feel like somebody cares
about us,’” he said. “That’s what these guys and gals are here
for because … they care a whole lot about people that they don’t
even know. … It gives me chills now just thinking about what
they are doing.”
Atkins and Warren, a noted TV and radio personality who
hosts The Highway on SiriusXM, sat in an F-16 at Eielson. The
fighter jet stayed on the ground, but the crew fired up the engine
to impress the stars. “To feel the wind come in and the thrust
go out, you can’t match it, there’s nothing like it,” Warren said.
“This USO tour is exactly what I imagined it would be,” he
said. “I always learn so much every time I go out with the USO
and I always return home a different person, a better person.
The work our troops and military families are doing … is as
impressive as it is important.”
Tischler wasn’t on the Alaska trip, but she understands what
Warren, Atkins and the Swons witnessed during their weeklong
adventure. She’s seen it on the faces of thousands of service
members over the years in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Downrange, you’ll sometimes see an 18-year-old kid and
they sort of have that battle glaze and they are totally dazed,
but they’ll watch someone sing or tell a joke and suddenly, for a
moment, they are that 18-year-old kid from wherever they are
from,” she said. “We give them a break from their routine, or
whatever they are going through, and hopefully that refreshes
them enough to go back and do their jobs.
“The smiles are awesome.”
—USO Communications Manager Oname Thompson
contributed to this story. Chad Stewart is the senior editor of
On Patrol. This story originally appeared in the Winter 20152016 issue of On Patrol, the magazine of the USO.
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