General FAQs

 
 

Q: Is the USO an agency of the United States Government?

 

A: The USO is chartered by Congress as a nonprofit, charitable corporation. Not a part of the U.S. Government, the USO relies on donations from individuals, organizations and corporations to support its programs. The USO is endorsed by the President of the United States and the Department of Defense. Each President has been the Honorary Chairman of the USO since its inception. For more information and history on the USO, please click here.

 

Q: What programs and services does the USO offer to the armed forces?

 

A: The USO mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel and their families. Whether in peacetime or conflict, the USO provides morale-boosting programs for troops wherever they may be sent worldwide. For detailed information on our programs and services, please click here.

 

Q: How can I find out about USO programs and services in my area?

 

A: The USO currently operates more than 130 centers, including 10 mobile canteens, around the world. To learn more about programs and services offered in your area, please visit our locations directory.

 

Q: Who are the recipients of USO celebrity entertainment shows?

 

A: USO shows are free of charge to active-duty U.S. military and their families overseas and stateside. Please view our entertainment tour schedule.

 

Q: How do entertainers get selected to tour with the USO?

 

A: If a performer has charted on Billboard or has a name that is universally recognized, he/she has probably been contacted by the USO. Many performers contact the USO, offering to participate in a USO tour. If an entertainer has not yet reached celebrity status, the USO encourages them to contact Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE). AFE is an office of the Department of Defense and conducts a non-celebrity touring program. AFE can be reached by calling 1-800-458-0868 or visiting AFE's web site.

 

Q: How can I contribute to the USO?

 

A: Tax-deductible donations to the USO can be made online via a secure server, by phone or by mail.

To donate by phone, please call 1-800-876-7469. Customer service representatives are standing by 7 days a week to accept your donations.

If you wish to mail your donation, please make your check payable to USO and mail it to:

USO World Headquarters
Department WS
PO Box 96860
Washington, DC 20090-6860

To donate online, please click here.

 

Q: How can I become a volunteer for the USO?

 

A: In 2006 more than 25,000 members in the USO international corps of volunteers provide an estimated 488,798 hours of service annually. From welcoming home deployed troops to relieving the loneliness of an individual soldier/sailor/airman/Marine or Coast Guardsman, the volunteer contribution is the USO’s primary asset. If you are interested in becoming a USO volunteer, please visit the locations directory to contact the USO center nearest you.

 

Q: I would like to use the USO logo. How do I obtain permission?

 

USO, the USO logo and tag line are registered trademarks of the United Service Organizations, Inc. Use of the name, logo and/or tag line without written permission of the USO is prohibited. Approval for use of the USO logo may be requested from USO World Headquarters'Communications Department. You can contact John Hanson, Senior Vice President Marketing & Communications by phone, at 703-908-6400 or send an e-mail to jhanson@uso.org.