Photo By Sgt. April de Armas | Army Sgt. Joshua Boyer, an administrative specialist, and Army 2nd Lt. Joshua Frye,...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba— Are you looking for a way to get involved and bring a smile to the residents of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay? The Trooper Volunteer Program of the 525th Military Police Battalion of Joint Task Force Guantanamo is a great way to do just that.
The volunteer program is a new concept put together by the officers and senior enlisted personnel from the 525th and has only been in action for a month.
Army Staff Sgt. Rene Salazar is the operations and training non-commissioned officer for the 525th's 193rd Military Police Company and volunteers his time to clean up the beaches.
"The program gives troopers a way of becoming involved with their community and it's a great way to get out and see something other than their rooms, while doing something positive for the community," said Salazar. "The command felt it would give troopers other options for their time."
Anyone can get involved with the volunteer program and there are incentives for troopers who do. Not only do they get the satisfaction of a cleaner community, but troopers can earn the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal for every 100 hours of service logged through the program.
"Troopers can earn a service award for giving their time, however this is not our focus," said Salazar. "We feel it is important to have a clean environment and clean beaches for our troopers and residents here in GTMO."
The volunteer program focuses on cleaning up the beaches around the naval station by picking up trash and debris.
Army 2nd Lt. Joshua Frye, assistant officer-in-charge for the 193rd, has been volunteering his time since the program's inception and said he was very happy to be involved.
"The beaches are the most important asset and are the main source of recreation for troopers and residents at GTMO," said Frye. "I am a diver and always wanted to clean up the beaches, so I was very excited when this program was enacted."
Salazar said the response from troopers has been very good and the number of volunteers has steadily increased since the beginning.
Army Sgt. John Norris, a military policeman with the 193rd, is one trooper who spends some of his off-duty time volunteering with the program.
"I come to the beaches a lot and I always get mad about the trash," said Norris.
Norris said he was glad to get involved with the clean-up efforts and feels it has a positive effect on the living conditions for everyone on the island.
"If we don't keep it clean, no one else will," said Norris.
Army Pfc. Dana Eltaher and Army Sgt. Joshua Boyer, both administrative specialists with the 193rd, said they both feel it is a great way to get to see all the beaches on the island.
"I get to see all the beaches and the view is breathtaking," said Eltaher.
Eltaher said she feels volunteering is a great way to make the best of her time at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
"I enjoy doing something positive for the community I share with others during my deployment here," said Eltaher. "I have already gotten to see several beaches since I started volunteering in the last three weeks."
Salazar said the volunteers have been to Windmill, Cable and Girl Scout beaches thus far and plan on making the rounds to all of the beaches located on the base.
"We meet every Saturday at the basketball goal inside the Tierra Kay housing community and welcome anyone who would like to join us," said Salazar.
"We are looking to get the word out and hope that more troopers will get involved with the program," said Salazar. "Not only can we make a difference, we can also build new friendships during our time here."
| Date Taken: | 05.15.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 05.19.2009 16:13 |
| Story ID: | 33823 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 281 |
| Downloads: | 212 |
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