Singles get more opportunities on JBER

  • Published
  • By Chris McCann
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  As the military has moved toward joint basing to cut costs and increase interoperability, there have been some headaches and growing pains as personnel learn to adjust.
There have also been some real triumphs. One of those on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson has been the BOSS program.

Originally "Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers," it started in 1989 as a forum for barracks-dwelling Soldiers to improve quality of life for their fellow troops. Over time, it evolved into a program of recreation and community service as well.

When Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base merged, BOSS opened up to Airmen as well, and in October 2011, as many installations went joint, it formally became Better Opportunities for Single Service members on joint bases.

Since the merger on JBER, BOSS has attracted even more Airmen than Soldiers, said installation BOSS President Sgt. Tim Kacillas.

Vice-president Tech. Sgt. Carina Rodgers, who serves as the unaccompanied housing flight chief, works with both Soldiers and Airmen.

"We do a lot in the dorms," she said. "We have three college classes at a time taught at night in the dorms, so people can go to school without even leaving."

They also host Friday-night meals at which wing leadership and chaplains mingle with the enlisted troops, Rodgers said.

The BOSS program has three pillars - recreation, community service and quality of life, Kacillas said. Service members often go into the community and help feed the homeless.

"Once a month, we cook about 50 pounds of spaghetti and feed people," Rodgers said. They arrange to serve the meals on days when the local soup kitchen is closed.
Kacillas got involved with BOSS when he returned from a deployment with the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.

"I started participating in events, and became a unit representative," he said. Before the installations merged, he was vice-president of the organization. After re-enlisting, he was made president.

Rodgers got involved with the program because of her job - as the unaccompanied housing manager, she was a natural fit.

BOSS is funded under Army regulations, but the Air Force doesn't address such a program, Kacillas said. Airmen were eager to get involved when the opportunity was presented, and now the ratio is approximately 60 percent Air Force and 40 percent Army.
One of the biggest challenges for both sides of the installation is distance, Rodgers said. Although it's one base, the barracks area on the Richardson side is separated from the Elmendorf-side dorms by about five miles.

"Lots of people don't have cars, but it's still one club," Kacillas said. "We borrow 15-passenger or 9-passenger vans, and people car-pool. There's always some form of transportation, people can call us for rides."

The merger has been fantastic, Kacillas said.

"It's a beautiful thing. It brings cohesion," he said. "Soldiers and Airmen get the best of both worlds, and participation in events has doubled."

"It used to be kind of taboo to go to the (Arctic Chill on) Richardson, or to eat in the dining facility," Rodgers said. "Now it's not, with both working together. People visit the other side."

The number of events possible has also increased, Kacillas said. And when the Army side doesn't have an event going on, he publicizes events on the Air Force side. Rodgers does the same when there's not an event on the Elmendorf side.

On Thursday, BOSS hosted a luncheon for unaccompanied females on JBER, focusing on sexual assault awareness. Representatives from the Anchorage Police Department, the Office of Special Investigations and a self-defense trainer spoke about preventing assault.

The organization is planning a similar event geared for males in March.
Drug and alcohol abuse awareness is another push for the program; they often host events that allow service members to wear "beer goggles" that simulate blurred and distorted vision from drinking too much, and give attendees the opportunity to try navigating a slalom course on a tricycle.

Between 20 and 30 service members attend each meeting, Kacillas said; each unit on JBER sends a representative. When there's an event, though, attendance can top 200.
"It depends on if we're piggy-backing," Kacillas said. Often BOSS teams up with Outdoor Recreation to offer special trips or classes, like riding ATVs or snowmachines.

Attendance can then be limited by the number of machines, so it's on a first-come, first-served basis.

"A busy Soldier is a happy Soldier," Kacillas said. "We keep people active so there's no cabin fever."

Events are generally alcohol-free, although occasionally they're hosted at places on JBER where alcohol is permitted.

"We encourage safe, responsible drinking," Rodgers said. "We might have a couple of beers at the Arctic Chill, and ensure everyone has a ride home."

BOSS leadership is also open to suggestions as to what service members want, Rodgers said.

"We ask 'What is it you want to do?' If it's not provided, what can we do to provide it. We want to be a venue for what they want to do and make everyone feel embedded in the base. Soldiers and Airmen are valuable, and their opinions are valued. Some people ski, some people just want to work out. Some people like playing video games. So we arrange ski trips and things at the gym and there are at least two gaming tournaments a month."

The program is "by singles, for singles," Kacillas said. Although neither he nor Rodgers are now single, they are committed to continuing the program. It has been a happy journey, they both said.

"It's given me more respect for the other services," Kacillas said. "The Airmen always come through on volunteer work, always."

Singles, geographical bachelors and single parents are all welcome, he said.
There is even some participation from the Marine Corps Reserve and Coast Guard personnel who work on JBER, and they expect that participation to grow.

"I love this program," Rodgers said. "I'm so glad I joined. I wish the Air Force had something like this when I was coming up. This is how we build better leaders - let the junior enlisted know we care about recreation, community service and quality of life issues. And in turn, they're better Soldiers and Airmen for us.

"We start from the junior service members and build up."