A Soldier Ensures the Readiness of His Fellow Service Members on Deployment with the Help of the USO

By Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman and Sgt. Joey Delgado

Inching across the sky, the sun bathes us in its ever-increasing heat. My team and I stand, beads of sweat bowling down our cheeks as we work. Hours into our long shift, a wave of tiredness runs over the team. A heightened sense of readiness, consistent with the stakes of our work, keeps us alert through the physical challenges. No matter the minute, no matter the hour, we stand ready to protect our fellow U.S. service members and allies.

Sgt. Joey Delgado, a service member deployed overseas in the U.S. Army. | Photo credit DVIDS/Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman

As a Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa hot crew noncommissioned officer (NCO) in charge of a force protection site, I am responsible for the admin, training and readiness of my soldiers. I make sure they are ready and able to maintain the vital force protection assets entrusted to us. Ensuring they are physically and mentally prepared to respond to a crisis extends beyond the work we do on shift, though; it’s making sure we find ways to maintain our resilience in our off hours as well. One way I’ve been able to ensure my soldiers and I are taken care of is by getting involved with the USO.

The USO does so much for us over at Chabelley Airfield - providing drinks, snacks, popsicles and more for us on a regular basis. More than the food they provide, they offer a warm smile and caring face that shows we’re not alone out here. After being on the receiving end, I knew I wanted to be that person for my team, as well as anyone else I could help, so I became a USO volunteer. In this position, I can advocate for my team and ensure they are always in-the-know about ways to stay engaged and entertained in their off-time through the USO’s programs.

I may be giving up some of my personal time by volunteering, but I receive more in return than I could ever really explain. I’ve made so many friends and connections through my time as a volunteer, who have made my time out here so much better. I’ve made memories I’ll never forget and became a source of positivity for my team and others around me. The resilient mindsets built by our dedication to our jobs and the opportunities the USO offers to de-stress have truly made us better, more capable warfighters.

It’s a stressful job ensuring security for our fellow service members and allies, but we’re the best at it thanks to the resources we’ve been provided. No matter the time and no matter the situation, we stand ready to respond in a crisis, protecting the lives of our brothers and sisters in arms and our allies in the region.

How the USO Remains Steadfast for Service Members in Africa

For service members who are deployed overseas, the experience can be both challenging and unique — and that holds especially true for soldiers like Joey who are serving in Africa. Amid vast deserts and an intense climate, many of the U.S. service members stationed across the continent are in undisclosed locations with limited connection to the outside world. These conditions are further intensified by an unfamiliar environment that feels distant and foreign, both geographically and culturally.

For years, the USO Center at the nearby Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, has offered amenities, events and staff to offer programs and support to those serving nearby. For those service members deployed at military outposts too remote or dangerous for a brick-and-mortar USO Center, USO expeditionary teams have occasionally traveled to these bases to provide support and relief to these troops. With limited resources at these downrange locations, there is little for service members to do beyond sitting in their barracks after their mission is complete. That is why providing programs such as the USO Reading Program are so important, so service members can record a bedtime story for their child back home, giving them an opportunity remain connected to their loved ones, no matter the distance. Or it’s why activities like tie-dye nights or trivia games, or even the delivery of USO Care Packages to these locations, has been so crucial to the well-being of deployed service members, offering a brief respite from the daily rigors of their work.

Through every deployment challenge, even those in some of the most remote corners of the world, the USO will continue to be a vital lifeline that bridges the distance between service and home. Whether it’s a familiar snack, a recorded bedtime story or a shared moment of joy, the USO’s mission will continue to remind service members that they are never alone and always supported.

-This story was originally published on DVIDShub.net. It has been edited and expanded upon for USO.org.