MWR centers boost morale of deployed troops

Photo By Cpl. Khoa Pelczar | (Left) Lance Cpl. Nathan R. Foley, 20, from Keene, N.H., and Lance Cpl. Christopher L. Walls, 22, from Granite City, Ill., heavy equipment operators with 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), enjoy their heated ping-pong match at the Morale Welfare Recreational Center at Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan, Aug. 25. The main purpose of an MWR center is to help service members stay connected with their friends and families while deployed. In addition to that, service members can enjoy a movie or play recreational games, which are all available at the MWR center to help them cope with their deployment.  

AFGHANISTAN

08.25.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Khoa Pelczar 

1st Marine Logistics Group

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DWYER, Afghanistan – Deploying overseas can be stressful for some service members as they are thousands of miles away from their friends, family and the sense of normality.

Morale, Welfare and Recreation centers were placed aboard many camps and forward operating bases to offer deployed service members a place to relax and stay connected with their loved ones.

“The MWR center provides a good environment for the Marines to get to know each other better outside of their workplace,” said Cpl. Joshua T. Eilhardt, motor transport operator with Combat Logistics Regiment 15 (Forward), 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward).

Being in a combat zone, having a place to take a break and get away from the daily grind is much-welcomed, explained Eilhardt, 22, from Placerville, Calif.

“It’s nice to have a place I can go to relax,” said Eilhardt. “It gives me something fun to do, and I’m able to take my mind off of work for a while.”

There are a variety of activities that service members can participate in when they visit an MWR center, Eilhardt said. The main purpose of an MWR center is to provide Internet and phone services to service members so they can contact friends and family.

The MWR center here also has a general room where service members can hang out while waiting for their turn to use the phone or computers. Service members can watch movies in the lounge area or play a game of pool, ping-pong or foosball.

The MWR Center operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, allowing Marines who work different shifts to come in and use the services at any time, explained Eilhardt.
“It’s awesome. It’s a good place for Marines to hang out,” said Eilhardt. “It helps me stay connected with my friends and family back home. Being able to see them daily makes me feel less homesick, which helps me focus better while I’m at work. It definitely boosts the Marines’ morale.”

• Date Taken: 08.25.2010
• Date Posted: 08.28.2010 12:09
• Story ID: 55318
• Location: AF