Ansbach’s BOSS program earns best in Army

ANSBACH, Germany - U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach's Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program earned the U.S. Army's 2026 BOSS Program of the Year for medium-sized garrisons, beating out 18 other garrisons for the honor.

The award - presented at the BOSS Training Forum at Shades of Green - recognizes a program that has blossomed into something much more than addressing the recreation needs of single Soldiers - the original intent of the program when it was founded in 1989.

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, or BOSS, is an Army-wide program intended to boost morale and welfare of single Soldiers, increase retention and sustain combat readiness, according to the Army's BOSS website.

"The BOSS program at Ansbach offers Soldiers here opportunities in community service, recreation and leisure, and quality of life issues," said USAG Ansbach BOSS President Sgt. Angelina James.

James is part of the triad that helped mobilize USAG Ansbach's award-winning BOSS program, which also includes BOSS Advisor Zeljko Stjepanovic, and Senior Enlisted Advisor USAG Ansbach Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Seelow.

"My goal as BOSS president has always been to get Soldiers from all walks of life out of their barracks and off the installation. And to let them know they have family and community here at Ansbach," said James, who has served as president since October 2025.

Over the past year, Ansbach BOSS expanded volunteerism, improved quality of life, developed Soldier life skills and strengthened connections across the military and host-nation communities.

"Connecting a Soldier with different opportunities is like Christmas morning for me every time," said James.

Since June 2025, BOSS mobilized more than 1,700 volunteers to support major garrison events, blood drives, youth programs, awareness campaigns, local animal shelters and other community initiatives.

Soldiers also strengthened German-American relationships by hosting children from a local Kinderheim for a day of activities on post.

BOSS gave single Soldiers a stronger voice in their community. Soldier advocacy, for example, helped expand operating hours at the AAFES gas station and Exchange Express and drove improvements to barracks laundry facilities and outdoor cookout areas.

Representatives also taught Soldiers to use the Army Maintenance Application, or ArMA, to report and track maintenance issues.

In 2025, Soldier development was another major focus. BOSS conducted 20 Life Skills events, offering CPR certification, vehicle maintenance, financial and VAT education, cooking, 3D printing, outdoor skills and other practical training.

Partnerships were key to the program's success. BOSS collaborated with more than 15 garrison and community organizations, particularly Family and MWR and the Outdoor Recreation Center, to provide affordable opportunities for Soldiers to experience Germany and Europe.

As BOSS advisor, Zeljko Stjepanovic said he aims to foster a program run, directed and executed by single Soldiers.

"At its core, Ansbach BOSS succeeds because Soldiers help shape it. Their feedback drives programming, their representatives advocate for change, and their volunteerism strengthens the community."

The result is a program built around Soldiers helping Soldiers - and giving them a stronger sense of belonging, purpose and ownership in their community.

"We'll never be able to measure the overall impact BOSS has played at USAG Ansbach because you can't measure how many times BOSS has guided a Soldier in the right direction and away from making bad decisions," said Command Sgt. Maj. Seelow.

"What is certain," Seelow said, "is that Sgt. James has elevated our BOSS program to build a resilient community, foster deep camaraderie, and actively boost retention."

Soldiers interested in USAG Ansbach's BOSS program should contact the BOSS office at the Outdoor Recreation Center at Katterbach.