Program aims to boost quality of life for single Marines

Don't feel too sorry for the single Marines and sailors who can't make it home for the holidays. The Single Marine Program is doing its part for those stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island.

The program, which provides activities for single Marines and sailors stationed in the area, hosted Christmas dinners for the single sailors and Marines on Wednesday -- one at Burners for those stationed at the air station and another at Brig & Brew for those stationed on Parris Island.

And for New Year's Eve, a "party bus" will take them to Savannah for the evening. That way they can have as much fun as they want and get back home safely on the 26-passenger bus.

Sgt. Rashawn Dawson, a Marine stationed on Parris Island, has been involved in the Single Marine Program for a little more than three years now.

"The program itself is awesome," Dawson said. "It gets people ... away from base on trips, gets Marines and sailors out in the community."

The national program was started in 1995 after a 1993 Marine Corps study revealed 43 percent of young, single Marines were unhappy with their quality of life and the recreational activities available to them.

The local program meets at 10 a.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month at Brig & Brew and at 2 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month at Single Marine & Sailor Program Liberty Center, Building 1231, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort to discuss activities, volunteer opportunities and quality-of-life issues.

The three goals of the program are to improve quality of life, encourage community involvement and enhance recreational opportunities. Those involved in the local program have participated in more than 60 activities this year, including bowling, trivia nights, free movies, various sporting activities, a trip to the Bahamas and singing karaoke at Brig & Brew.

"It's important because it keeps the morale up," Single Marine Program coordinator Brett Westerfield said about the program.

But for this group of singles, mostly between the ages of 18 and 25 years old, it's not all about having fun. In addition to their work duties on base, these young people spend a lot of their time volunteering in the community. About 30 of them just helped with the Festival of Trees by loading, unloading and transporting Christmas trees across town. They have volunteered at schools, nursing homes and with family-oriented on-base events.

It all makes for a well-rounded slate of ways for singles to get to know each other and stay engaged in the community.

"(It's) just an overall great experience," Dawson said.