The USO strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. The USO is for the people who serve. For over 83 years, the USO, a private, nonprofit organization, has served the men and women in the U.S. military and their families throughout their service – from the moment they join, through their deployments and as they transition back to their communities. Over time, the USO has become the vital bridge between Americans and their military service members.
Today’s service members need the care, comfort, connection and support that can only be provided by an organization that is with them at every milepost of their military journey. The USO is the Force Behind the Forces, continuously adapting to the needs of our men and women in uniform and their families, so they can focus on their very important mission. The USO is a family of volunteers, sustained by the charitable contributions of millions of generous Americans.
Our work is America’s most powerful expression of gratitude to the men and women who secure our nation’s freedoms. The USO—a private, 501©3—was formed in 1941 and is Congressionally-chartered, with a Memorandum of Understanding to serve those currently serving. Today the USO operates over 220 centers globally, which handle more than 10 million visits annually from troops and military family members. USO San Antonio offers morale-boosting and family-strengthening programs to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and their families throughout South Texas. It also provides a touch of home to troops and military families who pass through the 5 San Antonio USO Centers annually. More than 200 volunteers and an Advisory Council Members have provided invaluable assistance by way of over 15,000 volunteer hours in 2023. This invaluable support assists USO San Antonio to deliver support and engagement to over 403,353 service members and their families year-round by way of our many programs, centers and outreach events throughout South Texas as a Force Behind the Forces.
Locations
USO at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) Fort Sam Houston provides recreation, refreshments, travel comfort kits (for shippers), video game consoles, and support to US military applicants at the Military Entrance Processing Station. The USO at MEPS occupies two rooms, staffed by volunteers Monday through Friday and serve all branches of the military. An estimated 21,000 applicants and family members annually visit San Antonio MEPS.
USO Fort Sam Houston Community Center offers morale-boosting and family-strengthening programs to Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and their families throughout the Fort Sam Houston Community and as Advanced Individualized Medical Students endure the rigorous training schedule of their desired medical profession. Center provides a touch of home 5 days a week to nearly 135,000 troops and military families who pass through our 6,200 square foot new state of the art, wellness center complete with a fitness center and demonstration cooking kitchen.
USO San Antonio International Airport Center, Terminal B, by Baggage Claim. The Center is open for eligible travelers 365 days a year. Normal operating hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Eligible guests include active duty, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and their military ID-holding dependents. USO San Antonio Airport Center welcomed over 66,000 guests in 2023.
USO Warrior Family Support Center located on Brooke Army Medical Center’s Campus. The facility offers a comprehensive array of specialized services and programs in a supportive home-like setting. The more than 13,000-square-foot facility includes a classroom, a theater room, living room, a communal kitchen, dinning area, healing gardens and more, was created expressly for our nation’s healing heroes and their families. Center also hosts one of a kind family centric events such as Fall Fests, Purple Up Eggstravaganza, Summer Bash, Holidays celebrations and more. Over 100,000 service members & their families enjoyed this beautiful center & its amenities in 2023 alone.
From the moment they walk through the door, these warriors and their families know that the USO Warrior and Family Center will provide them with the warm and caring support they need as they continue their journey toward a full and rewarding life.
Camp Bullis, 2 Lounge room that opened in June 2019 and facilitated in providing expeditionary training support, a trademark of USO services in deployed locations to more than 140,600 USAF Combat Medics & USAF Security Forces. The continued growth of USO Programing at Camp Bullis focuses on the resiliency of our men and women in combat arms as they live and train in the austere and extreme conditions of deployments.
Border Camps & Laughlin AFB Support USO San Antonio Expeditionary efforts supports service members deployed for the Border Mission, as part of Operation Lone Star, with monthly visits to boost morale, bring various interactive activities, Holiday cheer & more. These efforts includes monthly visit to Laughlin AFB, Del Rio, TX with various single service members programming, family focused events and Military Spouses Coffee Connections.
USO Transition Program Performs the vital task of connecting targeted resources for transitioning service members and their families in a more efficient, effective, and positive way on their professional path forward after military service. The center is available for off-site briefings, trainings, and events for military units and spouse groups to connect, grow professionally, celebrate milestones, and participate in the many transition programs of USO San Antonio. Over 7,400 visitors last year took part in transition programs in that included Get Center Interviews, customized action plans, resume review, mock interviews, and professional networking.