Grad School and Giving Back: How Two USO Volunteers are Making an Impact

Whether grilling hot dogs for a line of hungry service members or setting up a paint night for military families, USO volunteers are fundamental in support of our mission. Volunteers may come from different backgrounds and walks of life, but they all share love for our service members and their families. April, recognized as National Volunteer Month, is the perfect time to celebrate two such volunteers and all the fantastic efforts they contribute to our team.

Jana Tittle and Nicola (Nicki) Wentholt, two of our USO EMEA volunteers, share an admiration of the USO values and of social work. Attending Salisbury University in partnership with UMGC Europe, Jana and Nicki both work with the USO Transitions Program and volunteer their time at the Warrior Center in Landstuhl, Germany.

Before becoming volunteers, Jana and Nicki didn’t fully understand the complete spectrum of assistance and support the USO offers. As a U.S. Army veteran, Jana had interacted with USO during deployments and while in airport lounges. Nicki said “I knew of the USO but had no idea about the breadth and scope of the organization until I started volunteering.”

When USO staff sent out the call to nearby graduate students to assist in research and implementation of the Transition program, Nicki and Jana were two of the first to answer.

The USO Transition Program®, available to active duty, Reserve, National Guard and military spouses, offers professional development services throughout the duration of military service as well as in preparation for life post-military.

Jana and Nicki now have the opportunity to enhance their graduate school experience with impactful field work interacting with service members and spouses. They use their personalized expertise to focus on resources for employment, education, financial readiness, mentorship and veterans’ benefits.

“I love most that [the transitions program] is not tied to leaving the service, therefore you can sign up at any given time during a career,” said Jana. “The app allows clients to track their progress of their personalized action plan. The Transition Program’s resources are unique and unlike any other programs in existence. In addition, I truly see the great value it brings to military leadership. Oftentimes, they can anticipate changes in military status for troops and families which might place them in a vulnerable state in the future. Utilizing the Transition Program early on might alleviate anxiety and assist in better transitioning them to the next step in their career, life or duty station.”

In addition to working with transitions cases, Jana and Nicki volunteer their time with the USO Warrior Center.

Geno Mendiola, Warrior Center Manager, said “I can’t begin to tell you how much these two ladies have helped us fulfill our USO Mission… When you see them, they are either talking to service members about our Transitions program or making sure they feel like this place is a home away from home while they are here for medical reasons. There is nothing these two ladies won’t do to help anyone here or fulfill our mission and we are honored to work alongside them.”

Nicki appreciates being able to build relationships with service members, USO center staff and other volunteers. “I am humbled by [the USO’s] mission and all that they do there.”

“The USO Warrior Center is like a hub of fellow service members and veterans,” said Jana. “I always run into someone who I served with along the way. There isn’t one single experience— I guess that is why they call it the USO experience.”

When finished with a USO volunteer shift, both women feel a wave of gratitude and accomplishment. Nicki also commented on how she feels energized after completing her volunteer hours for the day: “When [service members] hear the amount of USO supportive resources that are available to them throughout their career, they get excited. In this community it is especially helpful to the spouses and many times they don’t realize that we are here for them as well.”

Nicki and Jana were full of admiration and appreciation when they talked about the impact that volunteering with the USO has had on their lives.

“It gave me an opportunity to continue serving and impacting my military family, my tribe,” said Jana.

“Volunteering with the USO has been great fun as I have met a ton of really wonderful people, both USO staff and volunteers,” expressed Nicki, “all of whom have made my learning not only rich but enjoyable.”

In addition to volunteering and going to graduate school, Nicki is also a competitive sailor. She loves traveling and experiencing Europe with her husband and two teenage children. She also really enjoys school and learning; having completed a degree in German language, one in counseling psychology, and nearing completion of a master’s in social work.

Additionally, Jana is also an avid genealogist specializing in the Pomeranian Baltic Coast. She loves to cook and traveling in the RV with her family.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the USO follow this link.