Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Edward Flynn | Tara Culbertson, the new director of Morale, Welfare and Recreation, speaks with MWR...... read more read more
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Morale, Welfare and Recreation provides Joint Task Force Guantanamo service members and the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay community with a variety of recreational and fitness programs to support the diverse needs of the Guantanamo Bay community. Being on a remote military installation with a diverse community made up of active duty military personnel, civilian contractors, families and foreign nationals, MWR continues to make great strides to provide a broad range of activities for its community.
Tara Culbertson, the new director of MWR for Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, hit the ground running, laying out her plans to continue the MWR mission of providing exceptional services to military and civilian personnel throughout the naval base.
With her arrival, March 6, she immediately hosted two "all hands" meetings at the Windjammer Ballroom with MWR employees. In her address, Culbertson praised the outstanding leadership of the MWR staff and promised to provide the necessary training, resources and a clear expectation to carry out their important mission.
"I laid out my vision for how we will work together as a team and make this the best MWR department in the Navy," Culbertson said. "It is important we take great care of our customers. I also believe if we take excellent care of our employees, our employees will take excellent care of the customers."
Culbertson most recently served as the MWR director at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, and now has more than seven years of experience as an MWR director and more than 15 years working directly for MWR. Putting her vast administrative and management experience to use, Culbertson said she will focus on putting funding in the right places and take a hard look at existing facilities, including renovating, repairing and rebuilding these facilities.
MWR at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay offers three movie theaters, a marina, sailing center, bike shop, paintball course, climbing wall, nine-hole golf course, nine-hole disc golf course, bowling center, football field and track, two baseball fields, two pools, batting cages, a skate park, putt-putt golf course, go carts, tennis facilities, beach volleyball courts, racquetball, weight and cardiovascular rooms, water sport rentals, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, fitness classes, four liberty centers, hiking/biking trails and playgrounds.
Through the recent work and funding provided by MWR, state-of-the-art athletic equipment was recently installed at G.J. Denich Gym. The new athletic equipment includes approximately 38 pieces, including cardiovascular equipment and free weights.
Alec Culpepper, MWR fitness specialist, couldn't say enough positive things about why he loves his job and how beneficial the enhancements to the gyms have been.
"One of the best parts of my job is seeing [military] personnel and civilians use our athletic services, equipment and programs," Culpepper said. "With this new equipment, it is another opportunity for the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay community to participate in the many physical fitness programs we offer."
Additionally, more than 50 new pieces of similar equipment were installed at the Marine Hill gym. This equipment will allow for a complete workout of all body parts, utilizing fitness, sports, bodybuilding and rehabilitation techniques. In total, MWR installed more than $150,000 worth of new equipment.
Culbertson's vision for MWR put live entertainment on the priority list. In fact, MWR is now actively planning a Fourth of July celebration with food, fun, live bands and fireworks. Additionally, annual events will continue while also ensuring financial considerations are planned accordingly.
The arrival of the new MWR director was greeted with positive comments throughout the naval station.
"As a member of the Guantanamo Bay community, I would like to welcome Tara Culbertson to the island," said C.C. Lowery, acting director of Fleet and Family Support Center. "I have seen the great work of MWR throughout the community and am excited about her vision and leadership for the future."
| Date Taken: | 04.02.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 04.13.2010 12:27 |
| Story ID: | 48085 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 317 |
| Downloads: | 159 |
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