Fort Leonard Wood

Interactive Customer
Evaluation

Mission: To continually progress and improve the quality of life for single service  members (bonafide bachelors, geographical bachelors and single parents) on Fort Leonard Wood. To provide and participate in social, recreational, and educational events, to participate in community service projects, to voice concerns and issues on quality of life, and to be involved with leadership developing activities.

What is BOSS? The Better Opportunities for Single Service Members (BOSS) Program supports the overall quality of single Service Members' lives. BOSS identifies real Service Member well being issues and concerns by recommending improvements through the chain of command. BOSS encourages and assists single Service Members in identifying and planning for recreational and leisure activities. Additionally, it gives single Service Members the opportunity to participate in and contribute to their respective communities. BOSS is a demonstration of the chain of command's commitment to single Service Members.

History of BOSS  The BOSS program was established in 1989 to respond to the recreational needs of single Service Members, who make up 35% of the army. As the program grew throughout the Army, it became evident that the well being was the primary concern of the single Service Members. In 1991, the Chief of Staff of the Army officially expanded BOSS to include all aspects of Service Members lives. BOSS members later began to express an interest in participating in community service projects. Recreation and leisure, well being, and community service are the core components of the BOSS Program.  

Three BOSS Components:    Quaility of Life  /  Recreational  /  Community Service

 Quaility of Life: The BOSS program is designed to support the overall well being for single and unaccompanied Service Members. Well being deals primarily with those things that can directly or indirectly influence the single Service Members morale, living environment, or personal growth and development. Some of the issues addressed by BOSS councils include dining facilities, education, fitness centers, Service Members' quarters, medical and dental care, commissary, and Army Air Force Exchange Service. Well-being issues identified or raised during BOSS meetings are directed to the appropriate command or staff agency for resolution and resolved at the lowest level. In no way should BOSS be construed as a by-pass of leadership. 

Recreational: Recreation and leisure activities may be planned solely by the BOSS council or in conjunction with other MWR activities. Service Members assure the primary role in planning BOSS events. Events planned by BOSS councils should meet the needs and desires of single Service Members on the installations. BOSS councils have sponsored events such as Pizza and Movie Night outs, Bowling Nights, Service Member fashion/talent show, BBQ's and BOSS trips. BOSS may also coordinate with installation commercial sponsorship personnel when planning some major events Washington D.C. Tour, Theme Park Tours (Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion) 

Community Service: BOSS councils often elect to participate in community programs or projects, which make a difference in the lives of others, the community, and ultimately, them. BOSS members have volunteered to take part in Continental Army Band -- Music Under the Stars (MUTS), U.S. Army Service Member Show and Hampton Bay Days, BOSS Annual Christmas Program. This component is voluntary in nature and must be in accordance with the installation volunteer program

Who can be a member of BOSS?   If you are in one of the following categories and are assigned as permanent party or are on temporary duty at Fort Leonard Wood, then BOSS is for you.

• Single Soldier
• Single Sailor
• Single Marine
• Single Airmen
• Single Parent
• Geographically Single Soldier
• Foreign Service

 How Does BOSS Work?
Installations establish a formal BOSS program, to include a BOSS council consisting of single Service Member representatives from installation units. Typically, the installation Command Sergeant Major serves as the senior military advisor to the council. An installation MWR advisor is appointed to provide guidance in planning activities, financial accountability, and marketing. Motivated single Service Members with strong senior military and MWR guidance are the backbone of the BOSS program.

Department of the Army Circular 608-06-1

What Happens to the Issues Raised by BOSS?
Issues addressed during a BOSS meeting will be formatted and submitted to the senior military advisor to seek resolution through the proper command channels or staff agency. Issues that cannot be resolved at the installation level are coordinated with the installation Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) coordinator and may be released by the installation commander to go forward to the major Army command (MACOM) AFAP. 

What is the Service Members' Role in BOSS?
BOSS councils are comprised of single Service Members from major subordinate commands and separate units on an installation. Single Service Members have and opportunity to become unit representatives, volunteer to assist in planning an event, or attend BOSS activities.

Meetings: Single Service Members are encouraged to voice their concerns to their unit BOSS representative who will in turn express the issues at the weekly BOSS meetings. BOSS meetings are held the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the Month (call for location) 1530-1630   Minutes