The USO invites community members to give more than thanks by supporting thousands of service members at Fort Irwin helping to keep them connected to family, home and country

Bob Hope USO will continue its mission of strengthening America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation by supporting service members and their families stationed at the Fort Irwin National Training Center (NTC) with enhanced programming and amenities.

Built in 1940, Fort Irwin NTC is a major training area for the United States military, serving as the Army’s premiere training center, and is home to over 12,000 service members, families and over 2,000 monthly rotational forces. Located in the Mojave Desert in northern San Bernardino County, Fort Irwin is over 30 miles away from the nearest town, secluding soldiers and their families to the base to focus on combat training.

“With most of their time spent executing demanding training exercises, these men and women deserve to have a place where they can connect with their families, as well as their fellow soldiers,” said Bob Hope USO Executive Director, Yvette Kelley. “As a veteran, I understand just how important it is to feel a connection while stationed away from home. We are thrilled to help enhance the lives and experiences of the service members stationed at Fort Irwin by elevating our efforts through new programming and amenities.” 

The USO will provide programming to Fort Irwin service members and families, including monthly Military Spouse Coffee Connections, single soldier events, family wellness programs including back-to-school support, holiday events, meal programs and story time with the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program.

“The services, activities, and events that the USO will provide soldiers and families on the Installation are priceless,” Fort Irwin Garrison Commander, Col. Jeanette A. Martin, said. “This partnership enhances the quality of life on-post and providing these types of amenities, at no charge, really makes working and living on Fort Irwin an Installation of choice. We look forward to witnessing the incredible impact this will have on everyone involved.”

In addition to enhanced programming for service members and families, the USO will upgrade on-site amenities for soldiers deployed to the National Training Center for maneuver training.  This will include providing entertainment, games, snacks, and wi-fi connectivity in the Warrior Zone Annex – a more hospitable atmosphere where service members can relax following weeks of demanding training under simulated combat conditions.

The Fort Irwin enhancements are made possible through a partnership with Gensler, executing pro-bono design work to enhance the USO Centers, and funding for new programming provided to the USO by The Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation.

For 80 years, the USO has supported the men and women who fight for our country through our global network of more than 260 USO locations and over 30,000 volunteers. The USO goes where our service members go, including remote locations like Fort Irwin. The USO invites the community to join the campaign to Give More Than Thanks to help our service members stationed and in training by providing essential resources and keeping them connected to family, home and country.   

For more information, on how you can support, volunteer, sponsor or provide in-kind support, visit BobHope.USO.org.