Meet the 2025 USO Volunteers of the Year!

The USO’s mission is fueled by volunteers. Without the more than 21,000 volunteers who dedicate their time to our organization at USO Centers all around the globe, we would not be able to provide crucial support to the people who serve and their families.

To acknowledge this, each year, the USO recognizes two volunteers for their outstanding work and dedication to giving back to others – one volunteer stateside and one volunteer overseas.

Meet Loretta Streichert and Austin Wylie – two service members who have chosen to give their time off-duty back to the very community of which they are a part of.

USO Stateside Volunteer of the Year | Loretta Streichert | U.S. North Region

Loretta Streichert is an active-duty U.S. Army soldier with twenty-two years of military service, currently serving in the Command and Tactics Division, and she is also a dedicated USO volunteer at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

USO Stateside Volunteer of the Year | Loretta Streichert | North Region | Photo credit USO Photo

Loretta’s impact spans across every facet of USO Fort Leonard Wood, from providing administrative support as the intake & onboarding coordinator, to dedicating her holidays to supporting programs like Families of the Fallen, providing comfort to those who have lost a family member in service. She consistently goes above and beyond to ensure guests feel welcome and is ready to answer any questions or to offer encouragement.

As a service member herself, Loretta understands the needs of the military community and regularly attends “Newcomer’s Briefs and Welcome Aboard” meetings to share USO opportunities with incoming soldiers. She is passionate about building resiliency within the service branches and frequently supports reservations for Emotional Resiliency Training at the Center.

In addition to playing a key role in the day-to-day operations of USO Fort Leonard Wood, Loretta is also a USO Canine volunteer handler with her canine sidekick, Zara. Together, they have completed over 41 visits, bringing smiles and support to service members and their families. Specifically, the pair recently volunteered at two canine support requests, which hosted over 224 guests.

Despite the demands of military life, Loretta remains dedicated to the USO and to giving back to her community. Her efforts and dedication have greatly impacted the USO Fort Leonard Wood staff and exemplify the true spirit of volunteerism.

“Loretta exemplifies the true spirit of volunteerism – dedicated, compassionate and always willing to go above and beyond to serve others. Her selfless commitment continues to inspire everyone around her and strengthens our USO family.” – Christina Hutchings, USO Center Operations Coordinator

USO Overseas Volunteer of the Year | Austin Wylie | Indo-Pacific Region

For Airman First Class Austin Wylie, the USO has been a constant companion throughout his military journey. His first encounter came at the San Antonio International Airport before basic training with the U.S. Air Force, where USO volunteers offered encouragement, comfort and a sense of belonging. Throughout his time during tech school at Fort Meade, the USO once again provided vital support — serving as a place of nourishment and community.

USO Overseas Volunteer of the Year | Austin Wylie | Indo-Pacific Region | Photo credit USO Photo

Before departing for his first duty station at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Austin reunited with his family at the Bob Hope USO at LAX. The USO staff there offered a private space for the family to share their goodbyes — a simple gesture that continues to embody the USO’s spirit of care and connection.

That experience inspired Austin to serve others with the same compassion he received by volunteering with the USO.

In his first year of volunteering, Austin achieved over 1,100 volunteer service hours, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the USO Yokota community. As a lead onboarding volunteer, Austin reshaped the Center’s training and volunteer development process – and personally recruited and trained 37 new volunteers. His operational support has improved Center readiness and efficiency, especially with regards to events.

Balancing active-duty Air Force service and his role as a mentor and leader at USO Yokota has been challenging, but for six months — without access to a vehicle — Austin walked nearly 45 minutes each way, often after long duty days, to volunteer at the USO Center.

Being separated from his loved ones, especially his younger brother, for whom he has always been a strong role model, has been an emotional burden. Despite this, Austin channels those feelings into his volunteerism, using his experience to build connections, uplift others and foster a sense of belonging among service members and families who share the same distance from home.

“At the heart of Austin’s volunteerism is respect for people, their stories, their struggles, and their service. Whether welcoming new arrivals, greeting airmen after long shifts, or guiding volunteers through their first event, he ensures every person who walks into the center feels seen, valued, and at home.” – Estefania Laynez Martinez, USO Area Operations Manager