Travel-Based Centers

We operate two travel based centers, in the Raleigh- Durham and Charlotte- Douglas International Airports.  Our centers function as airport lounges for military personnel, military retirees and their families.  More than that, however, our centers are visible reminders that service members are part of a family.Whether traveling to a deployed location or coming home, military ID-card holders are always welcome at our airport centers.  Staffed by friendly volunteers, our centers offer comfortable chairs, books, magazines, television, movies, video games, kid play areas, and refreshments.  Internet and phone use available free of charge to help service members connect with loved ones while far away from home.  Our volunteers are always mindful of the reason our organization was established in the first place-to show our men and women in uniform the support of Americans here at home.

Service-Based Centers

Our centers at Jacksonville/ Camp Lejeune and Fort Bragg/Fayetteville serve as recreation centers, offering free pool tables, video games and Internet access to military ID-card holders.  Center staff and volunteers also administer military/ community outreach programs.  The programs bring peace of mind to those deployed and assistance to those left behind.

Mobile Unit Support

The USO of NC Mobile Unit launched early in 2010. The Mobile Unit allows us to reach troops outside our fixed centers. It is equipped with two large flat-screen televisions mounted externally, a small internal television, a Direct TV satellite system, a DVD player, a Wii gaming system, and a gas grill. Additionally, four laptop computers with mobile internet and cell phone service via two state-of-the-art Droid phones. The Mobile Unit will not only attend homecomings and deployments, but can be present at fundraising and other special community and military events. The Mobile Unit is also prepared to assist in state emergency response missions.

Request Mobile Unit 

Honors Support Team

A unique service of the USO of NC is the Honors Support Team. Founded by our volunteers at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the team renders planeside military-honors to fallen service members.  A similar service is performed by our volunteers at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The HST ensures each fallen hero is treated with dignity, kindness, gratitude and respect. Remains are never unattended for even a moment as they make their final journey home. The program requires extensive coordination with airport authorities and military casualty-assistance officers. The HST also assists family members and escorts, helping them navigate a busy airport at a stressful and overwhelming time. On-call 24-7 and under all environmental conditions, HST volunteers hold their duty near-and-dear to their hearts, proudly serving those who gave their last full-measure of devotion to our freedom.

Honors Support Team Website

Deployment & Homecoming Support

Whenever groups, whether large or small, of military personnel leave or return to North Carolina, the USO of NC is there – providing support, comfort and assistance to troops and their families. Deployment and homecoming care packages are handed out to remind service members that they are always in our hearts and minds to make their travels just a little bit easier.

Request Jacksonville Care Pack Support

Request Jacksonville Rack Pack Support

Request Fort Bragg Care Pack Support

Request Fort Bragg Rack Pack Support

Smiles Over Miles

Through Smiles over Miles, family members left behind can make videos at our centers to send to deployed loved ones overseas. The newest feature of our Smiles Over Miles program allows service members and their family members to create accounts online to send secure videos during deployments.

Smiles Over Miles

United Through Reading

This program allows service members to read a story on video before they are deployed and then have it delivered to their children while they are away.  This makes it possible for service members to stay connected from afar and eases the pain of separation for their children.

Sports & Entertainment

Complimentary and reduced-price tickets and transportation to events, such as VIP-style visits to Carolina Panthers’ training camps, are provided to meet the morale needs of our troops.

Current Free/Discounted Tickets

Single Warrior Birthday Cakes

Surprise birthday cake deliveries to single service members (E-5 and below) help to remind them they that they are not alone.

Request Jacksonville Single Warrior Birthday Cakes Support

Request Fort Bragg Single Warrior Birthday Cakes Support

Seasonal & Special Programs

Jacksonville Center Tuesday Reading and Lunch: Children of active duty service members have the opportunity to listen to stories from the Little Golden Book series read by a guest speaker in the center’s library.

Fort Bragg Center Kidz Korner: A table with arts and crafts is set up and manned by our volunteers during homecomings to keep waiting children occupied and give them an opportunity to make posters and cards for their returning family members.

Request Fort Bragg Kidz Korner Support

Jacksonville Center Thanksgiving Dinner: A traditional Thanksgiving meal for active duty service members, dependents, and retirees is prepared and served by retired service members and volunteers.

Charlotte Center Thanksgiving Feast: On Thanksgiving Day, military and their family members traveling through the center are served a full meal with all the fixings for everyone to enjoy.

Jacksonville Center Breakfast with Santa: Active duty members and their children are served a full, hot meal before each child has a turn sitting on Santa’s lap and receiving a special gift.

RDU Center Breakfast with Santa: This holiday event is done in conjunction with the North Carolina National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters with a visit from Santa, a reading from The Night Before Christmas, photos of all children on Santa’s lap, filled holiday stockings for every child, holiday craft areas, a reading corner, volunteers elves, as well as massages for the parents.

Charlotte Center Breakfast with Santa: This annual event brings children of military families from the Charlotte area together for breakfast and the opportunity to sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

RDU Center Breakfast with Santa: The center, in conjunction with the North Carolina National Guard Joint Forces Headquarter, provides a visit from Santa, a reading from The Night Before Christmas, photos of all children on Santa’s lap, filled holiday stockings for every child, holiday craft areas, a reading corner, volunteer elves, as well as massages for the parents.

Jacksonville Center Operation Cookie Drop: Local businesses and volunteers get together to bake or buy cookies that are delivered to the service members on Camp Lejeune, Camp Johnson, Camp Geiger, New River Air Station, MARSOC on Stone Bay, Camp Devil Dog, Cherry Point, and Bogue Airfield that are standing duty on Christmas Eve.

Fort Bragg Center Operation Cookie Drop: Local businesses and volunteers get together to bake or buy cookies that are delivered to the service members on Fort Bragg and Pope Air Force Base that are standing duty on Christmas Eve.

Jacksonville Center Christmas Dinner: A traditional Christmas meal for active duty service members, dependents, and retirees is prepared and served by retired service members and volunteers.

Food Pantry

Non-perishables are available to assist young service members and their families during times of need.