To be young, single and a Marine.

The mixture of emotions was almost palpable as PFC Jeremy Robert Bruce Owens described his arrival three weeks ago at Headquarters and Service Company, The Basic School (TBS), Marine Corps Combat Development Command, Quantico, Virginia.

Sharing his feelings of confusion, isolation, and boredom as he transitions from the Life of boot camp and school to his first duty station, PFC Owens confessed things hadn't changed much since his arrival. After work he sits in his room, watches TV. sleeps, and writes letters home in hopes of a response. He's made friends since his arrival and spends time with them, but feels his off-duty time is wasted by what he sees as a Lack of activities for marines like him on the base. He Looks forward to visiting his hometown and seeing the familiar faces of family and friends. Where is the diversity and variety of activities for our young marines?

Owens, a young, single enlisted marine, isn't alone. In fact his case is rather typical. In the recently completed study, "Quality of Life in the U.S. Marine Corps' by Dr. Elyse Kerce, single marines were found to be least satisfied (43%) with their overall quality of life and leisure activities.

The study expounds serious implications for the Marine Corps by demonstrating that dissatisfaction in these areas affects retention, job performance, and personal readiness. Therefore, the Marine Corps decided to establish a Corps-wide program designed for the single, enlisted marines in the 18-25-year age group. The program is designed to allow single marines to become directly involved in the development and implementation of their own program.

The Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Support Activity (MWRSPTACT) has developed a resource guide to help implement the Single Marine Program in each installation. It encourages creativity, spontaneity, and fulfillment in the areas of recreation, health and wellness, life skills, community service, and fundraising to support the Program. The guide provides a framework that can be used to start a Single Marine Program. MWRSPTACT also plans to develop a communications system by producing a quarterly newsletter, visiting installations to see the facilities, conducting market research' gathering information to pass to other installations, and providing suggestions for program improvement.

One method of involving single marines in the planning of such programs is using focus groups. Focus groups are an ideal method for acquiring quatitative information on the needs and interests of the members of any organization. The first step in the focus group process is to select a group made up of interested service members that is representative of each command on a base. A representative group allows widespread input and effective communication.

The program coordinator must establish we[l-defined goals and objectives for the program's outcome. It is vitally important to establish promotional objectives for the entire year, which may include theme parties, marketing strategies, sponsorship events, entertainment, and advertising campaigns.

The program should include coordination of activities and events in accordance with other MWR scheduled activities throughout the base. To property evaluate the program's status and success, an after-action report should be considered as a valuable tool to record the outcome and provide a referral for future consideration.

Single marines too often find entertainment in activities that jeopardize their careers, health, and future. Many marines agree that establishing a Corps-wide recreation program would benefit them by providing structured activities. This program would help them pass their off-duty time with fulfilling and satisfying activities.

When asked what they might Look for in a single marine program, Corporal George L. Haley and Lance Corporal Michael G. Ross, marines at The Basic Schoot (TBS) at Quantico, responded by saying, "Anything to boost morale is great for marines." They agreed that a recreational/service program should include adventure trips, focused away from the base. Possible excursions might include white water rafting, rock climbing, and attending various sporting events.

Some commands have already initiated Local single marine programs. For example, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California has developed the Single Marines are Tops (SMART) program that is designed to give a voice and position to single marines and their concerns. Each base command has a representative that hears marines' interests and reports to a monthly meeting. Their issues are discussed and participants work to find solutions.

Special programs and events are abundant at Camp Pendleton. They host an annual rodeo that is made up mostly of single marines and the MWR Division recently dedicated an entire field for paint ball competitions. In addition to providing programs for the single marines, the SMART council itself feels that their team building is a never ending process.

Another command that has adopted this program idea is Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They have established a Single Enlisted Advisory Board that focuses on single marines' well being and morale issues. For example, the base MWR Department sponsors Barracks Bashes--parties that are held at the Living quarters with entertainment, food, and beverages. Sporting events like the annual Seven Days of Glory road race and the Freedom Flash 4th of July road race are very popular.

The success of these programs depends on the input of the single marines, diversity of events and programs, and the energy and creativity of the program coordinator. Dedication, creativity, participation and a genuine feeling for the life and job of a marine is a must.

Marines must have time to recreate and re-create their own beings. It is important to get away from the stresses and stains of their chosen careers. They look forward to exciting experiences, diverse challenges, and the freedom to explore the world outside the Marine Corps. The Single Marine Program is one way in which we can help them Lead more positive, rewarding Lives and careers.