Chances are you have heard of Morale, Welfare and Recreation, which provides quality of life programming for the military community. But you may not be aware of the breadth and depth of its offerings. From fitness and sports to tickets and travel, MWR likely has something to engage you.
What is Morale, Welfare and Recreation?
Being mission-ready requires having downtime to relax, recharge and have fun. That’s why the U.S. military has long offered services to lift morale among service members. In the late 1800s, installations housed retail and social outlets known as Canteen Associations. Over time, offerings grew to include restaurants, libraries and gymnasiums.
Today, MWR offers nearly 5,000 leisure and support programs for service members, their families and other eligible personnel. These free or low-cost services include recreation programs, youth activities, golf and bowling.
Eligible patrons have access to MWR offerings, whether they are living on an installation or off. Look up the MWR program at your installation for an overview of offerings.
Who can use MWR services and programs?
The following individuals have full access to MWR services and programs:
- Active-duty service members and their families
- Members of the National Guard and reserves and their families
- Service academy and Merchant Marine cadets
- Retired service members and their families
- Honorably discharged veterans with a 100% service-connected disability
- Medal of Honor recipients
- Surviving family members of uniformed service members or retirees until they age out of eligibility or their dependent status associated with the deceased member or retiree changes
Defense Department and Coast Guard civilian employees (both appropriated fund and nonappropriated fund) now have access to in-store and online shopping at military service exchanges.
MWR programs and services
Depending on where you’re stationed, services and activities may include:
- Bowling, golf, boating, horseback riding, scuba diving, flying
- Classes in auto repair, woodworking, painting, photography, music
- Equipment rental for camping, canoeing, fishing, hunting, skiing
- Special programming for single service members ages 18 to 25, including trips, concerts and tours
- Fitness, aquatics and sports programs — and if you aren’t near an installation, more than 3,000 YMCAs and private fitness facilities offer military memberships
- Campground sites (and the Best Kept Secrets guide to those sites), which can include recreational vehicle pads, pop-up camper sites, tents, cabins, hotels and yurts available to service members and their families
- Recreational lodging and Armed Forces Recreation Centers resorts
MWR outings and vacations
Service members’ military IDs are a pass to a range of free and low-cost adventures.
- Information, Tickets and Travel. This office helps with vacation planning, offers discounted vacation packages and provides low-price tickets to sporting events, concerts and other attractions. The online version of ITT is American Forces TravelSM, where you can purchase discounted flight tickets, book hotel rooms, rent cars and purchase low-price vacation packages.
- Military lodging. This includes both recreational lodging (such as Armed Forces Recreation Centers resorts) and official PCS/temporary duty lodging (on a space-available basis). This program is available to help you save money while on vacation.
- America the Beautiful Pass. Active-duty service members, National Guard and reservists are eligible for a free annual pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, including national parks. Note: The passes are not issued by MWR organizations; you must obtain the pass from the National Park Service.
DOD MWR Virtual Libraries
The DOD MWR Libraries combine the resources and efforts of the five branches of service (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force) to deliver the highest value of online library services to active-duty personnel, civilians and their families. Eligible users can explore the free resources available through the DOD MWR Virtual Libraries:
- OverDrive and the Libby App feature e-books, audiobooks, magazines and readalongs, with in-app and offline reading available.
- O’Reilly® elevates your skills with cutting-edge content, expert-led courses and certification prep materials to stay ahead in IT, business and professional development.
- Ancestry Library unlocks the story of your family through billions of U.S. and international records.
- Kanopy offers a streaming service with more than 30,000 award-winning films and documentaries.
- Mango Languages provides a language-learning program for more than 70 foreign languages.
- Consumer Reports® helps you find the best deals, ratings and reviews on thousands of popular consumer items.
Learn more about Installation Libraries and DOD MWR Libraries.
As a member of the military community, we know you work hard and deserve convenient and affordable ways to explore, relax and have fun. MWR works to meet the needs and interests of the military community with its wide variety of programs and services. Check out your local MWR services and programs to make the most of your military life.
Support for Military
