OIF Troops Need USO

May 9, 2007 By CJ
Posted in Guest Blogger

The United Services Organization (USO) has been around since 1941. President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized that civilian organizations could best handle recreation for the troops fighting a worldwide war.

From 1941 to 1947, USO Camp Shows presented an amazing 428,521 performances. In 1945, curtains were rising 700 times a day to audiences as large as 15,000 and as small as 25 on some outposts all over the world. More than 7,000 entertainers traveled overseas. During World War II, Americans had come together as never before. By war’s end, the USO could claim that more than 1.5 million volunteers had worked on its behalf.

In September 1963 the USO opened its first location in a combat zone in Saigon, Vietnam. Throughout the next nine years, 17 more locations would be added to the Vietnam combat zone to provide troops with a place to relax and leave behind the stresses of war.

Today, troops are again called to deploy to locations around the round to fight terrorism and bring stability to the Middle East. Yet, for some reason, the USO has not adjusted to the stress and rigor still placed on our troops. The war against terrorism is one of the most unique battles we’ve ever have to face. Troops are facing multiple deployments and have no way of winding down in Iraq while waiting their ONE R&R given throughout their deployment.

To date, the closest USO’s are located in Kuwait, Qatar, and one in Afghanistan. In Iraq, troops have no way to really relax and unwind. The gyms that are available are overcrowded and underequipped. Only the bigger camps, like Liberty, have places to borrow books or watch movies. Hollywood and the recording industry has largely shunned our troops with few notable exceptions. Absent are the “amazing 428,521 performances” by more than “7,000 entertainers” that would travel overseas. This country is worried about PTSD and everyone thinks they know what is best for dealing with the issue WHEN THEY GET HOME. But what about in the combat zone? Where are all those entertainers who “support the troops?” Toby Keith can only do so much.

There is not a USO in largest city with a concentrated US troop presence - Baghdad. Why not put one there? Why isn’t there one down south at Camp Bucca? Why not Camp Liberty? Why not start putting MWR type amenities for servicemembers in these higher-population camps? Many of these camps are not going anywhere for a LONG time. There’s not much doubt that there will at least be a minimal presence of US troops in Iraq even after complete success is announced. Some people want to fight a permanent US presence in the country, but the reality is that there will probably be one for some time.

One of the problems with the minimal amenities available currently at some of these locations is that they have ‘hours of operation’ attached to them. Detainee operations are 24/7, so why aren’t there 24/7 MWR huts or USOs? This is more important now with the surge populating camps beyond their already overstretched capacities. Troops are increasingly finding it more difficult to “get away” from it all.

According to Patriotwatch.com, “OIF presents serious challenges to even the best and most respected organizations. The USO is no exception. PDN and active duty OIF soldiers will be seeking information on how best to bring more USO presence to underserved military facilities in Iraq. What must we, as the supporters on the homefront, do to help the USO reach those troops?”

So, what can we do? For one, we can write letters to our representatives demanding that today’s fighters get the same benefits and treatment of our previous warriors. By placing USOs in the combat zone our troops will be less likely to return stressed beyond belief and able to better focus on their missions in Iraq. At Camp Bucca, where there are thousands of troops, there are only two pool tables. If every machine in the workout room were full, there would be 100-150 people able to use equipment that supports thousands of troops. Bucca isn’t the only camp with this problem.

The second thing we can do is write the USO itself. You can contact the USO by phone, at 703-908-6400. Or you can send them an email through THIS  link. If Congress wants to put their money where their mouth is, they’ll support calls for USOs in Iraq.

Finally, spread this post and its message as far and wide as possible. Add it your blogs and send it to your mailing lists.