ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today's military service members need the care, comfort, connection and support that can only be provided by an organization that strives to be with them through every milepost of their service. For nearly 75 years, the USO has been that organization. Whether it's our newest USO locations supporting service members at Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), the entry point into their military career, or through our USO Transition 360 Alliance, which provides military personnel and their families with the support and resources they need to transition from service, the USO is expanding its reach globally to be wherever our military needs us most.
As Veterans Day approaches, the USO is standing by its promise to provide a holistic transition experience for military members as they plan for the next phase of their lives. As an example of this promise, the USO in partnership with RP/6 will open three new USO RP/6 transition locations this month in Kentucky, Texas and Colorado. These locations will serve as a one-stop-shop to connect service members and their families with the organizations and people in their communities that best understand the challenges of reintegration. All servicemen and women who visit a USO RP/6 locations will have their needs assessed by a USO Scout and together they will create a transition plan regardless of whether they are a year away or just days away from separation.
"We launched USO Transition 360 Alliance at a time when transition support has become the most critical," said USO CEO and President J.D. Crouch II. "Over the next four years nearly one million service members will transition into civilian communities, and they will need our support as they tackle the challenges of integrating back into their communities, building civilian career paths, and redefining their everyday family life."
The first RP/6 locations will open its doors with a ceremonious ribbon cutting on November 12, 2015 and will provide critical transition support to the Fort Campbell, Kentucky military community. This event will be followed by a November 23rd opening for the Fort Hood, Texas community and a November 24th opening to support Fort Carson, Colorado area military members and their families.
Additionally, in the six months since the launch of USO Transition 360 Alliance, the USO has expanded its resources to include online components, allowing service members 24/7 access to career services as well as family strengthening resources. Through a partnership with Hire Heroes USA, the alliances offers One-on-One Career Coaching and through the Oxygen365.com/USO website, hosted by Stronger Families, military couples are able to access FREE relationship building resources including tips for improving communication, date night activities and online webisodes.
Supporting service members and their families at MEPS locations is another way the USO is expanding its footprint and adapting to the current needs of our men and women in uniform. Military recruits travel to MEPS facilities to undergo various testing to determine their aptitude and ability to enter the Armed Forces. USO MEPS locations offer new recruits and their accompanying family members core USO services such as snacks, wireless connectivity and a place to relax. These sites also serve as an introductory opportunity to educate new recruits about the USO resources available to them worldwide and throughout their service to our nation.
The USO plans to open four additional locations inside MEPS this year among those already serving new recruits in Baltimore, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Milwaukee, Raleigh, San Antonio and Fort Lee, Virginia.
The USO also expanded operations overseas last month with the opening of a locations at Camp Aachen, Germany. The center is expected to serve thousands of service members as the U.S. military increases its capabilities and presence across Eastern Europe. The Army's decision to move toward a Europe presence that's more reliant on rotational forces has created a clear demand for USO programs and services at Camp Aachen. To find out more about the USO visit us online at www.uso.org .
About the USO
The USO strengthens America's military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. At hundreds of locations worldwide, we are united in our commitment to connect our service members and their families through countless acts of caring, comfort, and support. The USO is a private, non-profit organization, not a government agency. Our programs, services and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of our corporate partners and the dedication of our volunteers and staff.
In addition to individual donors and corporate sponsors, the USO is supported by President's Circle Partners: AT &T, the BNSF Railway Foundation, Clark Construction Group, LLC, The Coca-Cola Company, Johnson & Johnson, Kroger, NFL and Four-Star Partners: BIC, ConAgra Foods, FedEx, GEICO, JCPenney, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Starbucks, TKS and the Wawa Foundation. We are also supported through the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381). To join us in this important mission, and to learn more about the USO, please visit uso.org.
Amanda Greenberg USO Office (703) 579-0857 Sharee Posey USO Office (703) 740-4980
