For Sailors new to the Hampton Roads area and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), or those that are looking for activities to do locally, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs provide a wide variety of events in which to participate.
George Washington Sailors are afforded a separate and unique opportunity for rest, relaxation, and recreation by checking out Huntington Hall’s MWR facility.
“At this [Huntington Hall] facility we have the liberty center, laptops to work on [qualifications], liberty events, video game tournaments, and trips and tours around the area,” said Nate Owen, fitness director for Huntington Hall. “We even go up to [Washington] D.C. over the summer, and host outdoor events like kayaking and paintball.”
In addition to the activities like video game tournaments, trips to cities on the East Coast, kayaking, and paintball, Huntington Hall MWR also provides various fitness programs for Sailors to attend.
“On the fitness side we do personal training, group exercise classes four days a week, Monday through Thursday, new fitness events, and we even do sports events like basketball, soccer and flag football,” said Owen.
Aviation Boatswain's Mate Airman Apprentice (Equipment) Bryan Brambrila agrees with Owen, saying that MWR of Hampton Roads has a vast amount of opportunities for Sailors to explore in Virginia.
“We have video game tournaments, Christmas decoration door competition, gingerbread decorating contest, field trips to Busch Gardens, and a holiday meal,” said Brambrila, who stands watch with MWR.
With the holidays in full swing, MWR is working overtime to provide opportunities for Sailors, who can't make it home for the holidays, to get together and celebrate. MWR wants to make sure these Sailors have a sense of family at their home away from home.
“Helping the morale of Sailors makes me feel good,” said Owen. “In June I’ll be an MWR representative for 10 years, and I think keeping [the Sailors] motivated is important. The main thing, I believe, for the morale is to keep the Sailors busy as best we can, and give them an opportunity to meet other Sailors from other commands.”
Sailors can also purchase discounted tickets for movies at local theaters, shows and concerts at local venues, and surrounding-area amusement parks. These tickets give Sailors the ability to experience all that Hampton Roads has to offer at a low cost.
"I really enjoyed the MWR-sponsored Barbarian Run up in Yorktown,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Jacob Boudreaux, a Sailor assigned to George Washington’s combat systems department. “It was cool to get up there and enjoy some off time with other Sailors. The facilities they have here are really nice, and they try to get us out there for a lot of activities.”
For more information about MWR, the events they are hosting, and the discounted ticket prices available, Sailors can visit the MWR office on the Floating Accommodation Facility or check out the Huntington Hall MWR’s website at https://www.navymwryorktown.com/