Your Passion - Q&A’s with USO Employees

Q What made you decide to become a part of the USO team?

A I am a Navy spouse and I can’t think of a better place to work than the USO!

Q What motivates you to come to work every day?

A The USO mission. As a spouse of a service member, working for the USO is much more than a job for me. I rarely have opportunities to interact directly with service members because of the nature of the department I belong to, but assisting the USO employees who directly support service members makes me feel that I also contribute to them ultimately.

Q Have there been any defining moments for you while working at the USO?

A There are too many!  The Programs department shares photographs of service members who are stationed in Afghanistan or Iraq with a big smile on their face holding USO items or photographs of toddlers touching their mother’s or father’s face on a TV screen while watching a United Through Reading DVD. These are the moments that show the impact of the USO to service members and their families. I cannot tell you how many times I have cried after seeing those pictures and reading thank you letters from the USO beneficiaries!

Q What do you enjoy most about working for the USO?

A I enjoy meeting and interacting with such a diverse group of individuals on a daily basis.  There is never a day that I go home and don’t feel good about the work that we do at the USO.

Q What motivates you to come to work every day?

A Knowing that on a daily basis, my actions make a positive difference in the life of someone that has proudly serve this country. It is truly an honor to be able to serve the troops and their families every day.

Q What does a typical day at the USO look like for you?

A There is really not a typical day at USO Gulf Coast.  Every day is unique and brings a new set of challenges, rewards, and accomplishments.  The one thing that does remain consistent from day-to-day is the pleasure of working with such a great staff, volunteers and wonderful patrons.

Q Have there been any defining moments for you at the USO?

A A defining moment for me was my first flight line deployment years ago. I had a wife and mother there that was pregnant and saying goodbye to her husband for the first time. Knowing that in the next few months her life would change dramatically and her spouse would not be there to see it all develop was extremely defining for me. I realized that with no family in the area, the USO would be her family for the next year. We would be there to provide her comfort, security and a smiling face in the absence of her husband. That experience helped bring great perspective to my career and everything that the USO stands for. 

Q What made you decide to become a part of the USO team?

A Having worked in sports my whole career before joining the USO, I was looking for a position that could utilize my skills but in an organization where I felt my efforts could make a difference for others.

Q What do you enjoy most about working for the USO?

A I enjoy meeting and interacting with such a diverse group of individuals on a daily basis.  There is never a day that I go home and don't feel good about the work that we do at the USO.

Q What motivates you to come to work every day?

A Being located in Arlington, we don’t get to interact with troops and families, so it’s a big challenge to actually see what the USO does for troops and families. But the stories, pictures, videos, etc. that we receive from the field helps tremendously to motivate me. It’s great to see that what I do in my office supports the hands on experiences in the centers around the world.

Q Have there been any defining moments for you at the USO?

A I had the privilege of witnessing a dignified transfer at Dover. I do consider that a privilege since it’s a very personal and intimate situation for the families. That day it all came into focus for me – why we as a country must support those who serve our country. My work at the USO is a just a small contribution.

Q What do you enjoy most about working for the USO?

A I enjoy everything that we do.  From little things like giving out a cookie, or delivering a $300,000 piece of equipment.  It’s never the same and it keeps my mind active and looking out for the next greatest thing that we can do for our service members and their families.

Q What motivates you to come to work every day?

A To put it simply, I like knowing that I make a difference in someone’s life on many different levels. The things that the USO does for the troops and their families are amazing.  We have a long tradition of uplifting the spirits of the troops, and I hope to keep that tradition going even stronger than it has been. We work hard for the smallest and the biggest smiles.

Q Can you tell us a little about your colleagues at the Arlington office?

A We have one of the most diverse groups of people and that is what makes us strong. We all have different backgrounds and come from a wide variety of cultures and beliefs.  Luckily for us, that’s never been an issue. In fact, we take those differences to ensure that we provide goodness to in all aspects of what we do and can do.

Q What is on the horizon for you at the USO?

A To continue to make a difference and ensure that the USO remains a leader among troops and their families.  There is still so much more to do.  Now back to work!

Q What made you decide to become a part of the USO team?

A As a military brat, I had great memories of the times my family and I spent at the USO airport facilities for the seven years we were stationed in Europe.

Q What motivates you to come to work every day?

A The men and women who dedicate their lives to so we can be safe.

Q What do you enjoy most about working for the USO?

A The people I get to work with and meet as part of my job.