I’ve been a military service member’s family member for a
long while. I’ve since retired (grew up
and got married) but I will always - and fondly - remember my days "in service" (my Army dad retired after 20 years of service). I can remember learning to play tennis,
learning to swim, taking a baby-sitting class, learning to ski, going bowling and skating - or just hanging out and having fun at the Youth Center – all while my dad and my Federal service civilian mom were working.
My family and I had a tradition of going to eat at the
Officers’ Club almost every Friday night.
My parents enjoyed themed dinners like Mongolian Stir-Fry and I always
had a cheeseburger and fries…but it was the best cheeseburger and fries
ever! We even stayed at an Officers’
Club for a couple of weeks when my dad got orders that brought us back to the
States from Germany.
Know what all of those things have in common? They were operated and staffed by employees
of the (now named) Family & Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (Family &
MWR) organization.
Family & MWR has been around, in one form or another, since
1903. Congress authorized the Army to
build, operate, and maintain PXs, libraries, schools, recreation centers, and
gyms for service members. And over the years, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation
services for our troops and their families were constant and continually reviewed
until we have what we all know to be today’s Family & MWR.
So, what’s so cool about Family & MWR? Boy, oh, boy – let me count the ways.
Aside from your spouse, parents or grandparents, who else do you
know who’s “job” it is to take care of your every need? Say it with me. “Family & MWR.” Thaaaaat’s right! We aren’t like, maids or butlers, but our
team of employees is trained in dealing with all facets of your life. Want to start planning your retirement? We
can handle that. Need to tone your bod?
We have a place for that. Got kids? We
have people for that. Keep reading for
just how much value Family & MWR can add to your life!
Fun &
Entertainment
If Family & MWR is known for anything, we’re known for our
special events, trips, and discount tickets.
If you have ever attended an event on a military installation, chances
are Family & MWR was involved. Did
you finally plan that “oh-so-special” trip to Disney World? You probably got
your discounted admission tickets from the Leisure Travel Office. …and if you were really savvy, you stayed at
the Armed Forces Vacation Club Shades of Green resort while you were in Florida. If it’s fun, Family& MWR is involved!
Family
Issues & Financial Services
Our lives are seldom tidy and without problems. Who are we kidding? Sometimes, life seems to be just one crisis
after another. If we aren’t the ones
personally experiencing a troubling situation then our family members are. Army Community Service (ACS) is staffed with highly
trained people who can assist you with navigating financial hardships, sexual
assault (and other violence), preparing for a newborn, skills for how not to
choke your spouse in his sleep, how to better deal with your teenager (wine not
provided) and so much more!
Child
Development & Youth Guidance
Our service members have so many options for child care when they
move to a new place. There are schools
and day care centers closer to home and those you have to apply to get in. The difference between the child care
provider on base and those off is that we are held to a stricter standard than
most civilian facilities. The child
development center on JBM-HH is the largest and most state of the art center of
its kind Army-wide and we have maintained our accreditation since opening. We provide healthy meals and snack, a safe
environment, and education for even the youngest child.
Physical
Activity & Fitness
We all need to maintain our physical fitness and a healthy
weight. From boosting your mood to improving your sex life, exercise can
improve almost every facet of your life. Want to feel
better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than
exercise. It is the best medicine around! The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are
hard to ignore. And the benefits of exercise are yours for the taking,
regardless of your age, gender or physical ability. Both the Myer and McNair Fitness Centers are
equipped with cardio machines, weight machines, and we offer fitness classes
ranging from gentle movements like yoga to body-shaking Zumba. …all in an effort to help you lead a healthy
and happy life!
Education
& Improvement
In addition to the family services and seminars provided by ACS, the Family & MWR Library is full of the very best books (printed
and e-books), current and classic films on DVD, career training materials,
language software, and college prep materials.
Because we are the Army and serve those who serve and protect us - many,
many…MANY news outlets and e-readers make their products available to us at no
charge. Our libraries offer access to
local and national newspapers, periodicals, career reference guides, FREE use
of ancestry software and just so much more!
The only thing our libraries and librarians don’t do is read these
things to you!
Eat Drink
& Be Merry
Think back to all of the happiest moments in your life… Christmas,
birthdays, Easter, Passover, 4th of July, weddings and other special
occasions…all of those things have one thing in common. All of those events included a feast to end
all feasts! Feasts like those just
happen to be a Family & MWR specialty!
JBM-HH’s Five Star Catering professionals are not only award-winning
chefs but include first rate event planners.
We’ve planned hundreds of wedding receptions, celebrated thousands of
Moms’ at our Mother’s Day Brunches, catered numerous special events for our
family and friends, and spent the holidays serving you and your loved ones...because you are our loved ones! We really do consider you family!
You see, there’s not one part of your life in which Family &
MWR is not honored to offer assistance.
Our unofficial mission to make sure that you and your family are ready
and rested in order to fulfill your mission of service to our country. …and it’s our pleasure to do so!
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