USO San Diego

USO San Diego – The Force Behind the Forces®

USO San Diego, part of the global USO network, strengthens America’s military service members by keeping them connected to family, home and country, throughout their service to the nation. Since 1941, the USO has been the nation’s leading organization to serve the men and women in the U.S. military, and their families, throughout their time in uniform.

There are over 140,000 active-duty military personnel within 4,526 square miles of San Diego County. With the help of USO volunteers, USO San Diego supports our nation’s heroes and their families at five USO Centers including USO San Diego Neil Ash Airport Center, Liberty Station, San Diego Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), USO Camp Pendleton, and a warehouse facility. Through these centers and mobile outreach, USO San Diego serves as a ‘home away from home’ no matter where assignments take the men and women who serve our country. San Diego is home to six major military installations and more than 25 smaller installations within the region.

From the moment service members join the armed forces, through their assignments and deployments, and as they transition back to their communities, the USO is always by their side, delivering impactful programming, entertainment, meal deliveries and other necessary resources.

UNITE | KEEPING THEM CONNECTED

The USO nurtures and maintains strong bonds between service members, their families, and the community. Through programs focused on connection, strengthening, wellness, and resiliency, USO expresses America’s gratitude and commitment to service members and their families. USO San Diego programs and services include MilSpouse Connect, TeenTalk, MilKid Club and the Bob Hope Legacy Reading Program. The COVID-19 crisis greatly impacted the organization’s ability to perform “business as usual” – while demand for services increased, the USO temporarily lost the in-person support of local volunteers that serve as the vital backbone of the organization’s service delivery. Remaining committed to being agile and responsive to meet the evolving needs of service members and their families, the USO modified programming, which included increasing distribution of food and essential items to families in need and transitioning all in-person programming to online experiences.

DELIVER | ALWAYS BY THEIR SIDE

The USO supports service members through outbound programming to reach troops training in isolated locations, on arduous missions, and those deployed to more remote areas around the world. Through expeditionary outreach support including care packages, snacks, holiday celebration items, and internet services provided throughout challenging deployments, the USO ensures service members stay connected. America is by their side, wherever their assignments take them. USO San Diego programs and services include the USO Mobile Programs, Mobile Farmers Market, Wednesday Night Dinner, Feed Our Heroes, Care Packages, Baby Showers, Holiday Toy Drives, and Homecoming/Deployment Support.

ENTERTAIN | ENTERTAINING SERVICE MEMBERS & FAMILIES AROUND THE WORLD

The USO brings entertainment, recreation, and celebrations to the doorsteps of service members and their families through a diverse range of activities. By providing programs that focus on America’s culture and pastimes, the USO brings a grateful nation closer to them in times of both separation and celebration. USO San Diego programs and services include Military Virtual Programming (MVP) Series, USO Show Troupe, Ticket Distributions, and other special programming offerings.

TRANSITION | TRANSITIONING SERVICE MEMBERS & MILITARY SPOUSES

The USO provides resources for service members, veterans, and military families throughout various transition points of their military service. From the moment their service begins through the time their service is complete – through voluntary separation, the wounds of service, or the ultimate sacrifice – those who serve, and their families, are supported with dignity and respect. USO San Diego programs and services include USO Pathfinder® Transitions, USO Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) San Diego, and Families of the Fallen. During the pandemic in 2020, USO San Diego provided support with over 250,000 total service instances, delivering impactful programming such as USO Pathfinder® Transition planning, Mobile Farmers Markets, MilSpouse Connect, MilKids Club, Teen Talk, Meal Delivery, Military Virtual Programming and vital support for troop movements.

For 80 years, the USO has stood as the Force Behind the Forces®, leading the way to unite all Americans to actively express gratitude and support members of the military and their families, home and abroad. USO volunteers, donors and partners have stood up to help our service members and families by serving them a hot meal, keeping them entertained, and having a shoulder to lean on when times are tough. USO San Diego invites the local community to join us in giving more than thanks this holiday season.

The USO is a private nonprofit organization, not a government agency. Programs and entertainment tours are made possible by the American people, support of corporate partners and the dedication of volunteers and staff.

For more information about USO San Diego and to ‘Give More Than Thanks’, visit www.sandiego.uso.org.