Live Like a BOSS

Army BOSS Program Bolsters Single Soldiers

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) is a program dedicated to the success of single Soldiers in the Army. Focusing on enhancing morale, sustaining combat readiness and increasing retention, the BOSS program provides a space where the voices of single service members can be heard and where commanders can address the well-being and morale of those Soldiers. 

The BOSS program was founded in 1989 as a way to support the overall quality of life for single Soldiers. It is one of more than 200 Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs delivered by the U.S. Army community. The BOSS program has grown to include 74 BOSS communities Army-wide that serve single Soldiers. The communities include Army National Guard, active duty and Reserve members plus members from other branches of military service and foreign service members. 

The program acts as the collective voice of single Soldiers through the chain of command, serving as a tool for commanders to gauge the morale of single Soldiers regarding quality of life issues. BOSS programs are managed by a Senior Enlisted Advisor, MWR Advisor and the BOSS President. The program works to create a forum for the Army to tackle tough issues by encouraging peer-to-peer leadership. Single Soldiers assist the chain of command in addressing items that are raised as a concern or need by the single Soldier community.

Every BOSS community focuses on the program’s three core components, which are geared at maintaining a balanced life: leisure and recreation, community service and quality of life. To address leisure and recreation, a BOSS council works in conjunction with an MWR Advisor to plan engaging activities that are geared towards the wants of the Soldiers from each specific BOSS community. Through the program, single Soldiers can participate in community service by volunteering for rewarding opportunities to work on projects and at events in their local community. To maintain quality of life, the program addresses issues that Soldiers can directly or indirectly influence to enhance their living environment, moral or personal growth and development. 

The BOSS program also sponsors a variety of activities before, during and after deployment to assist single Soldiers affected by increased operational tempo and deployment stress. The program gives Soldiers access to travel opportunities, service projects and recreational activities. For instance, the BOSS Strong Championship is open to single Soldiers across the country and internationally to team up for a demanding training competition that is often hosted by celebrity fitness trainers. 

BOSS also gives Soldiers the opportunity to assist in planning and executing activities within their BOSS community.

For more information about the BOSS program, go to ArmyMWR.com/programs-and-services/boss. 

BOSS Core Components

Quality of Life

Quality of Life includes those issues that Soldiers can directly or indirectly influence or enhance their morale, living environment or personal growth and development. Issues raised during BOSS meetings will be directed to the appropriate command or staff agency for resolution on the installation. Army-wide issues are forwarded to the Army Family Action Plan Conference for possible Department of the Army resolution.

Recreation and Leisure

Recreation and leisure activities include a wide range of entertainment events that are specific to each BOSS community. These events are geared towards the expressed desires of the single Soldiers on a particular installation.

Community Service

BOSS members make a difference by volunteering in community projects and events. This is always voluntary in nature, and Soldiers find this to be personally rewarding.

By Staff Writer Tatyana White-Jenkins