Since March of 2020, tens of thousands of service members have been called to duty to assist the nation in its response to the global pandemic. From assisting in hospitals, to distributing food, to helping administer COVID-19 tests, these dedicated service members have played crucial roles in communities across the U.S. Since the initial onset of the pandemic, some of these service members have completed their missions and returned home, while others are still in the fight.
Although they are “part-time” warriors, members of the National Guard still make a big commitment when they enlist, which includes agreeing to deploy for missions at home and abroad. Typically, domestic deployments can last up to 60 days while overseas deployments can last up to a year.
Frequent deployments are difficult not only for National Guard and Reserve members, but also for their families – and both service members and their military families face additional challenges that are unique to their type of service. This can take a toll on these military members, which is why the USO provides programs and services designed to support all members of the military community – including the National Guard and Reserve.
National Guard members and reservists do not always live their daily lives within a physical, military community. They are first and foremost members of their own civilian communities, in cities and towns all across the United States. They are your neighbors, your coworkers, your friends – and so their service means that they must always juggle living in both the civilian and military worlds.
The USO is committed to supporting all members of the military community – whether they be active duty, Guard, Reserve or military family members.
With the Mobile USO program, we go where they go, offering almost all of the same USO resources of a USO center from the convenience of a Mobile USO vehicle. These mobile units serve troops deployed to areas where there may not be a physical USO location available, such as in the cases of natural disaster relief or the COVID-19 response.
Join the USO in giving more than thanks to our National Guard members and their families.