The USO is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of life of our men and women in uniform and to be the interface between the active duty and civilian communities. The original intent of Congress – and enduring style of USO delivery – is to represent the American people by extending a touch of home to the military. The USO currently operates more than 120 centers worldwide, including seven mobile canteens located in the continental United States and overseas. Overseas centers are located in Germany, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, Iceland, Japan, Qatar, Korea, Afghanistan, Guam, and Kuwait. Service members and their families visit USO centers more than 5 million times each year.
The role of Jacksonville’s USO is an important reason our local forces feel embraced and well served by our community. It is the military and civilian community working together to meet the goals of high morale and the ‘best trained’ military men and women in the world.
Our Jacksonville USO enjoys some of the finest facilities in the United States.
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A Navy-provided facility at the main entrance to NAS Jacksonville affords access to both military members of all Services and their families from the Jacksonville area commands, including area’s Army and Air Force National Guard units, and the U.S. Marine Corps’ staging area for Pre-positioning and Staging Area at Blount Island.
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The USO Center at Mayport, a mile and a half from NS Mayport, is a 7,000 square foot center that allows for an effective means of providing USO services from a modern facility with convenient access.
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The USO Welcome Center at Jacksonville International Airport, welcomes Armed Forces Members and assists them with information, comfort items and transportation.
USO services are used by single military personnel residing in barracks or aboard ships, as well as married service members away from home for their first time, often separated for prolonged periods. It is extremely important that these men and women and their families have access to a place where they can receive help, community information and wholesome recreation.
