PHOTO CAPTION: Members of the Fort McCoy Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program pick up litter along State Highway 21 Aug. 25. BOSS personnel performed the community-service work as part of the Adopt-A-Highway program. (Photo by Rob Schuette, PAO, Fort McCoy, cleared for public release, not for commercial use, attribution requested.)

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Fort McCoy BOSS program looks ahead to new year

Sep 10, 2010

By Geneve N. Mankel, Fort McCoy Public Affairs

FORT McCOY, Wis. -- The Fort McCoy Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program will undergo several changes in the upcoming year while continuing to support the core components of the program - quality of life, recreation and leisure, and community service.

The program is a function of and funded by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

The BOSS events calendar for fiscal year 2011 has been finalized and includes many activities and events that uphold program goals, including litter clean ups, a Mall of America trip, a clothing drive, sporting events and theme park trips.

The BOSS Center, building 1647, the site for BOSS meetings, will be upgraded with paint and signage.

"When the facility is repainted, we hopefully will be turning it into a place for our BOSS members to hang out, and really try to make it their BOSS Center," said Nicole Halverson, BOSS Family and MWR adviser.

The next meeting is Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010. Starting Oct. 14, 2010, BOSS meetings will be held the second Thursday of each month. Fort McCoy's BOSS program is open to single Soldiers and civilians and geographically separated Soldiers and civilians.

• • All events are subject to change **

The BOSS council is comprised of the installation command sergeant major (senior military adviser), a Family and MWR adviser, a BOSS president (military) and single-Soldier representatives from installation units.

Staff Sgt. Millicent Sutters, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison, has served as BOSS president since February 2010. A new president will be elected for FY11.

At meetings, issues regarding quality of life can be raised and the BOSS council can direct those concerns to the appropriate organization for resolution. Issues can include areas such as dining facilities, education, recreation, fitness centers, Soldiers' quarters, and medical and dental care.

Recreation and leisure events and community service event planning and coordination also are discussed at meetings.

"People do not necessarily have to be a BOSS member to attend meetings and events because involvement at most functions is open to any qualified Family and MWR user," Halverson said. "Everyone is welcome to attend."

In FY11 BOSS will be in a different fund bracket, making it able to plan better activities, Sutters said.

BOSS members also support various installation activities, such as the Army Concert Tour, The Soldier Show, Winter Extravaganza, and the Wellness Fair.

For more information, visit the BOSS section of the Fort McCoy Family and MWR website at www.mccoymwr.com/ or call 608-388-3944.

BOSS events for 2010-11

Oct. 6 - Adopt a Highway Trash Pick Up Oct. 15 - La Crosse Queen River Boat Cruise November - Clothes/Food/Toy Drive; Giving Tree at AAFES; Mall of America Trip Dec. 2 - Christmas Tree Lighting December - Snow Tubing January - Winter Extravaganza; Ski Trip February - Read Books to Children; Comedy Night March - Easter Eggstravaganza April - Adopt a Highway Trash Pick Up; Paintball Event May 11 - Wellness Fair May - Milwaukee Brewers Trip June - Boys & Girls Club; Skydiving Trip July - Adopt a Highway Trash Pick Up; Fireworks August - Haunted Trails; Canoe Trip; BOSS Conference September - Soldier Show; Dells High Adventure Trip

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