Agency Introduction
MWR is a military acronym for "Morale, Welfare, and Recreation" also referred to as military recreation. Military recreation encompasses a wide variety of services including: sports and physical fitness centers, libraries and information services, recreation programs, leisure travel, and child and youth programs. The U.S. Army MWR: Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command provides soldiers and their families with a wide variety of services and programs to increase quality of life.
Background
The concept of MWR has existed since World War I in history started on the battlefields of World War I, where various military volunteers catered to the needs of army personnel, emerging as morale, welfare and recreation specialists. After the war, many morale programs ceased to exist due to lack of funding. As a result, a Morale Division was established where recreation programs were developed and staffed by active duty military and civilians. Over time, civilians became the prime operators of these programs, while the military acted strictly as an oversight body. In 1984, the U.S. Army Community and Family Support Center was established as the headquarters for MWR operations. One of the organization’s primary responsibilities was to operate the management of the Armed Forces Recreation Centers. In 2006, the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC) was established by the Department of the Army. FMWRC provides oversight for army family morale, welfare, and recreation operations all over the world. The organization has facilities also called “installations” located all over the world including: Germany, Korea, United States, Japan, Puerto Rico, and Italy. The organization’s mission is to maintain “First Choice” MWR products and services for America’s Army in order for soldiers to maintain an essential balance of work and play. This balance is thought to increase a soldier’s performance in the battlefield and increase his or her quality of life.
Employment Opportunities
Non-appropriated Funds (NAF) is one type of employment opportunity through FMWRC. NAF positions are available in Child Development, Food and Beverage Management (Clubs), Golf and Bowling, Recreation, Hotels and Billeting, clerical and administrative. An interesting job opportunity under NAF is with community recreation. This occupation covers recreation management positions. These positions provide soldiers and families with MWR leisure programs and include titles such as: Director of Community Recreation, Sports, Aquatics, Athletic Supervisor, Librarian Supervisor, Entertainment Supervisor, Arts and Auto Crafts Supervisor, and Outdoor Recreation Supervisor. Each supervisor is responsible for facilitating activities under his or her specific program of focus. Any job requires sufficient knowledge of the following: MWR policies, regulations, procedures, and program standards, ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate program and project results, knowledge of NAF budget execution phases, and the ability to plan, develop, and implement and manage recreational programs.
There are two ways to obtain a NAF job: (1) through the Career Referral Program (CRP) or (2) through the Installation Job Vacancy System. The FMWRC no longer accepts resumes for open-continuous job announcements. Instead, an applicant must directly apply to the position they are interested in. In order to apply for a job, an applicant may submit either a Department of the Army (DA) Form 3433 (Optional Application for NAF Employment) or a resume.
Trends
One of the agency’s current trends involves focusing on automotive skills of its military personnel. Many new facilities (shops) are being built in order to meet the demands for such programs; however, it is a challenge to keep knowledgeable staff because technology in automobile engineering in changing at an increasing rate. Furthermore, appropriated fund levels are overall declining. This recreational program promotes self-reliance and skills development for individuals, which are transferable to many military specialties.
Outdoor recreation facility at Fort Lee, Virginia.
Youth Center at Fort Lee, Virginia.
Issues
One current issue the organization faces is a need for additional lodging facilities at some of its installations (military sites). More specifically, the Fort Lee installation has a proposal drafted for a new 1,000 room lodging facility that is to be completed in 2012. One reason for additional lodging is to accommodate military students because some live more than 17 miles from the installation. The proposal argues that transferring students to this new lodging facility would enable them better access to the Army Logistics University, library, fitness centers and other university resources promoting recreation. It is important for FMWRC to ensure that all of its personnel, including students, have easy access to all of its recreational resources.
The Shades of Green Armed Forces Recreation Center, affectionately known as "the house that Big Jim built," is one of the premier rest and recuperation destinations in the continental United States for troops and their Families. The Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort sits just outside the gates of The Magic Kingdom.
- Photo by Tim Hipps / Rob McIlvaine, FMWRC Public Affairs
Definition & Benefit
FMWRC defines leisure as a form of play and distinguishes play and the counterpart of work. As mentioned early, FMWRC’s goal is to provide soldiers and their families with the same high quality of life that the rest of society is entitled to. This includes offering a variety of programs that encourage activity, creativity and skill development. Also, the organization associates a great deal of leisure with travel opportunities available to its personnel.
YouTube Clip: Soldiers from FMWRC Bungee Jumping
Synopsis
After conducting research on FMWRC I have come across several pros and cons regarding a career in this organization. First, there are many job opportunities available at FMWRC and because this organization has worldwide locations each individual can find a location that best suites them. Furthermore, working for FMWRC provides great job satisfaction as an employee’s responsibilities directly service those men and women in the U.S. army. Also, the job positions one can apply for all utilize and help develop leadership skills in managing and implementing recreational programs, which is useful to any individual choosing this career path. Lastly, there is the ability to apply for an internship to gain experience and then continue on in the future as a supervisor and a director. There is also an extensive training program established for managers to help prepare them for additional responsibilities. In contrast, there are a few cons in taking a career with this organization. Although the program is established to attract highly qualified individuals, the application process is highly competitive and requires applicants to have prior experience. Furthermore, applicants must know what area they want to work in when they apply. This is new to the application process as applicants used to be able to complete a general application profess and then later be placed into a specific area.
FMWRC fits into the leisure delivery system as it provides different activities and programs to individuals and families who serve the U.S. armed forces. It is a specific armed forces recreation organization that serves a very unique population. It is important that this organization not only serves soldiers but also their families as they are part of the target population of FMWRC. The services provided by this organization help improve army morale as the activities it sponsors help reduce stress, build skills (i.e. automotive skills program) and boost self-confidence. This organization demonstrates all the elements present in an armed forces recreation leisure delivery system.
Works Cited
"U.S. Army MWR: Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command." 8 September 2009
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