In the Remote Forests of Poland, Deployed Service Members Find a Home Away from Home with the USO

By Brittany Laursen

In the middle of a heavily wooded forest and far from the amenities of a traditional military base, service members stationed in Głębokie, Poland, now have a relaxing space to call their own. In September 2025, the USO opened the doors of a first-of-its-kind USO Center: a modular Center built out of an upscaled shipping container, designed to bring comfort, connection and community to people serving in some of the most austere environments.

What began as a set of empty containers was then transformed by USO staff and volunteers into a modern and welcoming getaway, complete with comfortable furniture, warm lighting and decor to make it feel like home.

Senior military leaders, USO staff and volunteers and dozens of service members gathered to cut the ribbon and celebrate the official launch of the USO Głębokie Center. Excitement and the smell of an American barbecue was in the air as service members toured the new space and saw firsthand the impressive transformation. Through the front door, visitors step into a cozy living room area with a dedicated USO Gaming zone to the left and a quiet space to the right where soldiers can study, call home, or simply catch their breath.

“One of the biggest struggles soldiers experience here is finding purpose,” said USO Center Operations Manager Heather Huggins. “They work hard all day long, and when they have free time there’s not much to do. We’re in the middle of the woods - it’s very austere, so we’re happy to bring this support to them so they can connect with family and friends and have a social life.”

Inside the Center, soldiers can gather to watch television, play board games, or relax in a communal lounge. The USO Gaming room features four high-end consoles, including two Xboxes and two PlayStations, ensuring service members have access to the latest releases and can play games together, or with friends and loved ones back home. The quiet room provides space for soldiers balancing education or work responsibilities while deployed – or for those simply looking for a respite after a long day in the field.

One of the most impactful programs for deployed service members is the USO Reading Program, which allows them to record themselves reading a book to their loved ones back home.

“Being able to read a book and tell their kids a bedtime story every night is really rewarding for them,” said Heather.

And for soldiers who have already been in Poland a few months, the Center is a welcome change.

“One of the things I struggle most with is being away from family and managing the work-life balance,” said one U.S. Army soldier. “I’m excited for the USO to open because it will be a space we can go to cool off and take our minds off work.”

But this Center isn’t just about comfort, it’s about flexibility. Because the structure is made from containerized modules, these containers can be scaled and relocated to wherever they’re needed, bringing USO support to even the most remote mission sites. As the military’s mission needs shift and evolve, the USO can pivot and redeploy the Center in different locations. Or if a unit moves, the USO can pack up and move with them. It’s a new approach that blends the comfort and familiarity of a traditional USO Center with the mobility of an expeditionary setup.

“Being away from family and friends, we face new challenges during deployment,” said U.S. Army Spc. Jaden Lee-Pearsall. “We’re all going through these new experiences together and coming to the USO is going to bring us closer as a unit.”

The launch of this new Center also highlights the power of community and volunteerism. With the Center open for only a few weeks, more than 20 service members have already signed up to serve as USO volunteers to help run programs, lead gaming tournaments and keep the Center clean and active. Their involvement ensures the space reflects the needs of the very people it’s built to serve.

“I’m really excited about the events we’re going to host,” said Jaden. “I’ll be volunteering, so I’ll be helping to bring people together and get them out of their rooms.”

After the ribbon was cut and the first soldiers filed into the Center, the sounds of laughter and competitive banter soon drifted outside from the gaming room. Moments later, the sound of service members playing acoustic guitars brought people walking by with their lunches toward the living room to listen. Those comforting sounds were a powerful reminder of the USO’s enduring mission: to support the well-being of the people serving in the U.S. military and their families.

“Five deployments to Iraq and all over the world with the U.S. Army, the USO just does an amazing job taking care of us,” said Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza, Commanding General of V Corps.

With the opening of USO Głębokie, the USO is paving the way to support even more service members wherever the mission takes them; delivering connection, comfort and morale-boosting programs to those serving in the most remote environments.

“We’re here to follow the mission,” said Heather. “And now, thanks to these Centers, we can go where our service members go.”