BMC Software Named to USO-Metro's Elite 'Circle of

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Some of the best chefs in the country today are not found in restaurants or on television. They're in the military, feeding everyone from servicemen and women to the President of the United States.

For more than a decade, BMC Software has recognized the creative and culinary prowess of these elite chefs by supporting the exclusive USO of Metropolitan Washington "Salute to Military Chefs" event. The honorees are personally selected and presented with the award each year by the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and each of the military branches.

As a result of these efforts, BMC Software was honored on Friday, October 4, 2013 by the USO of Metropolitan Washington (USO-Metro) and named to USO-Metro's 2013 Circle of the Stars, an elite award bestowed on the top-level corporate donors who provide generous funding to support USO-Metro's mission to lift the spirits of military service members and their families. 

Other Key Points to Know

• Founded in 1941, at the beginning of the U.S. involvement in World War II, the USO's illustrious tradition of service has continued unabated across more than 70 years of peace and war.
• According to the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence, in 2012 U.S. military units consumed:

o   24,884,000 pounds of cooked chicken
o   8,800,000 tortillas
o   6,072,000 pounds of ground beef
o   5,250,000 gallons of milk 
o   3,100,000 pounds of cooked bacon
o   780,000 gallons of orange juice
o   765,000 pounds of coffee
o   448,000 pounds of Thanksgiving turkey
o   367,000 pounds of grits
o   214,000 gallons of ketchup
o   109,000 gallons of salsa
o   42,773 gallons of soy sauce

• The Circle of Stars annual fundraising event brings together USO-Metro supporters, members of the business community, wounded heroes from area military hospitals and local celebrities, highlighting the critical value of corporate supporters such as BMC Software.

Supporting Perspectives

Sgt. Maj. Mark Warren, winner of the 1994 Armed Forces Chef of the Year:

"We're way beyond the days of Beetle Bailey. The soldiers that enlist today have grown up with Emeril, Rachael Ray and Iron Chef.  There's a stigma that military cooking is institutional and generic. But society has a higher expectation for chefs today. We've worked hard in this area, and today I'd put our military chefs up against any working in the restaurant industry."  

Elaine Rogers, president and CEO, USO of Metropolitan Washington:

"BMC Software has been a long-time friend and supporter of USO-Metro. It is because of the support of corporations like BMC that USO-Metro is able to fulfill its mission of lifting the spirits of America's troops and their families, and we're extremely grateful."

Adam Irving, federal area director, BMC Software, and USO board member:

"BMC is not only proud, but humbled to receive this award and be a partner of USO-Metro and all the good work it does on behalf of our servicemen and women." 

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