United Service Organizations

The United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) offers recreational support for members of the U.S. military. The USO provides programs in 140 centers worldwide funded by private and public donations and support from the United States Department of Defense. It is not a government agency.

The United Service Organizations

Type	Services
Founded	4 February 1941
Headquarters	Arlington, Va
Key people	Sloan D. Gibson President and CEO
Area served	140 centers worldwide
Focus	morale, welfare, recreational support for US military personnel and families
Revenue	Donations
Volunteers	44,000
Motto	Until Every One Comes Home
Website	USO Home

USO Tours

USO works to boost military morale. Since 1941, the USO became the soldier's "home away from home" and began a tradition of entertaining the troops with live performances called Camp Shows that continues today. These "tours" typically feature big name actors or actresses, comedians, pop musicians, and pin-up models.

Support and services

The USO serves both in time of war and during time of peace. During the 1990s, the USO provided services to 5 million active duty service members and their families, and more support after start of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Other websites

• Official website
• USO Clubs in World War II
• Re-enacted WWII tour, from Jolson Sings Again (1949) on YouTube
• President Bush speech USO World Gala, 2008: Text and video, Oct. 1, 2008