Photo By Staff Sgt. David Beckstrom | U.S. bases around the world have policy letters encouraging service members to try and...... read more read more
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CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – From practicing a triple Lutz or expanding a gourmand’s palette to basking in the sun along the coast of the Persian Gulf, these are but a few opportunities that are currently offered to service members as the Morale, Welfare and Recreation off-post trips have been re-instated for those stationed in Kuwait.
“Beginning the first week in December, we have started the MWR trips to 19 locations around Kuwait again,” said 1st Lt. Marcus Norton, the MWR officer in charge with Area Support Group – Kuwait. “These trips will be all-day events that will be visiting one cultural and one shopping site, giving our service members the chance to learn about the history and the people of Kuwait.”
The program directors are working on expanding the list of sites and dates available to participate in the tours.
“We are starting with two tours a week,” said Norton. “These tours will be on various days throughout the week and will start early in the morning and will conclude no later than 11:30 p.m.”
According to the memorandum for record pertaining to the MWR off-post trips the following sites are available to be visited:
Shopping:
360 Mall, Avenues Mall, Marina Mall, Souk Sharq, Gate Mall, Fahaheel Bazaar, Mubarak Souq/Old Souk Area, and LU LU Hypermarket.
Restaurants:
Burj Al Haman/7 Seas, Mais Algahanim, Radisson Blu, Crowne Plaza Hotel, The Village/Divonne, Arabella and The Spoons Eatery.
Cultural centers:
Amricani Cultural Center and Kuwait Zoo.
Recreational sites:
Sahara Kuwait Resort/Golf Course and Kuwait Ice Skating Rink.
Special events:
U.S. Embassy, Regency Hotel, Sea Shell Resort/Swimming and Hilton Beach Hotel.
The memo also states that the trips are open to all service members but participation in these events are voluntary.
Units may also sponsor trips by requesting the use of MWR buses or government owned buses as long as it doesn’t interfere with missions and follow the guidance put out in the memo.
These trips aim to increase the cultural awareness as well as increase the morale of the service members stationed in Kuwait.
The military teaches the importance of understanding the differences in cultures to facilitate a strong partnership with our partners around the world by having service members go through classes and training that explain cultural differences and similarities prior to service members leaving the U.S.
“We are guests of Kuwait and being able to get off-post and immersed into the culture it will not only boost the morale of our service members but it will strengthen the partnership we have with our host nation friends,” said Norton.
Several U.S. military installations in foreign countries have policy letters that encourage service members to learn the basics of the host nation’s language and to get out and interact with its people.
“People can read about cultures to try and understand their people, but without being able to actually interact with people of those cultures, a person will never fully understand that culture,” said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Zanichkowski, the acting directorate noncommissioned officer in charge of installation support with ASG-KU.
“As our service members interact with the people of Kuwait they will be able to gain an appreciation of the historical and cultural impact these people have.”
The MWR tours aim to give a respite to the service members stationed in Kuwait, by allowing them the opportunity to experience the local culture.
“Our days are pretty structured out here,” said Zanichkowski. “As the service members get the chance to visit the various places around Kuwait, they will be able to unwind and forget the stresses of the week.”
The MWR tours had been suspended due to the Grand Mosque in Kuwait City being targeted for an attack in June.
“Safety is the most important precaution we take in everything we do,” said Zanichkowski. “We have done a through force protection evaluation of each site and there will be plain clothes force protection personnel attending each tour to help prevent any issues from arising.”
For more information regarding the MWR trips memorandum for record please contact Master Sgt. Robert Borgesi at DSN: 318-430-3686 or robert.t.borgesi.mil@mail.mil
For more information about the MWR trips please contact the MWR Off-post Trips and Tours office at DSN: 430-1223.
| Date Taken: | 12.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2015 05:21 |
| Story ID: | 184743 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 434 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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