Photo By Pfc. Christopher McKenna | Pfc. Richey Stuart, from Nashville, Tn., with Company C, 3rd Special Troops Battalion,...... read more read more
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Pvt. Christopher McKenna, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Camp Striker's Morale, Welfare and Recreation activities help maintain a more comforting environment for Soldiers deployed to Iraq.
"My goal coming in was to provide entertainment for the troops," said Spc. Alphonso Barnes, Camp Striker MWR non-commissioned officer in charge, attached to 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. "It goes as far as facilitating VIPs when they arrive to making sure the Soldiers can receive the Armed Forces Network wherever they are on the installation."
Soldiers at Camp Striker have a variety of entertainment options.
Activities include open mic, Madden football, poetry, country and Latin music nights, poker, dominos and backgammon tournaments and much more.
"Using the things MWR offers is a great stress reliever," said Spc. Kinte Green, from Douglas Ga., a truck driver with Company A, 626th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
MWR activities offer Soldiers a chance to unwind and relax after missions, Barnes said.
"It gives them something to do and gives them an opportunity to take their mind off some of the things that are going on outside the wire," Barnes said.
For Soldiers interested in maintaining fitness, there are two fully-equipped gyms with weights, cardio equipment, basketball courts, volleyball courts and a football field at MWR north.
"Another tent is about to be put up in MWR south for aerobics activity, and we are considering a location to install a boxing ring," Barnes said.
Many Soldiers say the activities are ones they would do back home.
"Back home I played pool, basketball and lifted weights," Green said. "I can do the same things here."
New activities and program ideas are always being added to the schedule.
"If a Soldier thinks of it and asks for it, I try my hardest to make sure it happens," Barnes said.
Sometimes activities do not get the expected turnout and are dropped from the schedule.
"I don't like to set up events if there is not going to be an attendance." Barnes said. "It puts stress on the MWR people having to set up for an event that has limited showing."
Soldiers who are grateful for the options provided to them, Green said.
"I appreciate what MWR does for us Soldiers," Green said.
Barnes said he is glad to contribute to Soldiers' well-being.
"It makes me feel good that Soldiers are actually looking forward to doing something," Barnes said. "If you do nothing (relaxing) while you are over here, it's going to burn you out."
For more information on activities and programs offered, visit both MWR North and South and check the activity boards.
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 03.04.2008 08:37 |
| Story ID: | 16967 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,048 |
| Downloads: | 959 |
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