Email   Print   Share By Spc. Justin Naylor, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

Facebook Digg Delicious July 29, 2010 | Leisure

Private 1st Class Matthew Ella, a signal specialist with 3-82 FA Regt., 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div., shoots out the end of a waterslide during a BOSS program event July 16 at the Summer Fun Water Park in Belton. Spc. Justin Naylor, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs

There’s no better way to beat the heat in Texas than with a splash in the pool, and there’s no better time to go to the pool than when you’re supposed to be working.

During a Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers event July 16, single Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, traded in a work day for some fun in the sun at the Summer Fun Water Park in Belton.

It was a great opportunity to build unit cohesion and hang out on a nice day, Spc. Duane Cooper, an artilleryman with 3-82 FA Regt., said.

Although most Soldiers only see one another during work hours, BOSS events give them a chance to meet in a relaxed environment.

According to Cooper, you actually get to hang out outside of work, and you can see each other as more than just co-workers; you can become better friends.

The event also gave Soldiers a chance to find a fun, new place in the community.

A lot of single Soldiers get off work, sit in the barracks and play video games, according to Spc. Greg Levin, an artilleryman with 3-82 FA Regt.

“(This is) a chance to get single Soldiers out into the community to see what is out there other than just the Army,” he said.

Many young Soldiers don’t take the time to go into the community and have fun, Levin said. BOSS can be the “first foot in the door” that helps them continue to want to get off the post and see the area around them.

Although this was the “Red Dragons” first BOSS event, Soldiers who attended definitely hope it won’t be the last.

“This gives us something to do,” Levin said. “I’d love to do more of this.”