Summary
- Xbox reflects on a year of partnership with the USO
- Call of Duty Endowment introduces new operator packs
- Microsoft offers free technical career training to veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses through MSSA
Last year was the beginning of a memorable journey as Xbox teamed up with the United Service Organizations (USO) to provide the joy of gaming directly to service members across the globe. This partnership aimed to bridge the digital gap and maintain connections with loved ones, despite distances.
This year, Xbox is proud to deepen its commitment as a premier gaming partner of the USO, ensuring that Xbox gaming becomes a standard feature wherever the USO Gaming program goes. Video games have proven to be more than just entertainment, serving as a means of building camaraderie, escaping the challenges of duty, and staying engaged with life back home.
Xbox understands the challenges of deployments and remote assignments, especially the absence from friends and family. With the flexibility of Xbox Play Anywhere, players can seamlessly continue their gaming adventures across Xbox consoles and Windows 10/11 PC to stay connected with loved ones, regardless of distance.
Xbox’s Commitment to the Military Community
Last year, Xbox forged a partnership with the USO to enhance its mission delivery by providing enhanced access to services like Xbox Game Pass and gaming equipment. This year, Xbox has expanded its partnership to ensure that Xbox gaming is available wherever the USO Gaming program goes. With more than half of service members highlighting time spent away from family as a top issue, gaming has proven to have a positive impact on their lives by fostering connections.
For service members stationed overseas or in remote bases, video games can be a lifeline, offering a way to stay connected, have fun, and unwind. Xbox has made significant contributions to USO gaming centers, enabling service members to access a wide range of games across different devices globally.
Xbox and the USO collaborated on USOCON, an event at Fort Knox that provided soldiers and their families with a unique gaming experience. Immersive setups, like the “F.O.B. Xbox Area,” created a sense of community and enhanced the event for attendees. Additionally, Xbox worked with the USO to bring gaming to an aircraft carrier during a family day, showcasing the value of interactive gaming experiences for service members and families.
Empowering Military Professionals
Xbox partnered with the USO Transition Program to offer professional development services to active duty, Reserve, National Guard, and military spouses. These services aim to equip military personnel with valuable skills for transition to civilian life by showcasing different career paths within the video game industry.
In partnership with the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA), Xbox has provided transitioning service members with a 17-week training program to pursue careers in tech. This program, fully funded by Microsoft, aims to build technical and career-building skills for military professionals.
The USO Transition Program extends its offerings to military spouses through the MSSA–Military Spouse program, providing technical skills for remote employment. This initiative recognizes the skills developed by military families and offers opportunities for meaningful careers in tech.
Support U.S. and U.K. military veterans by purchasing the Call of Duty Endowment (C.O.D.E.) Knight Recon: Tracer Pack for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III and Call of Duty: Warzone. Proceeds from this purchase will be donated to the Call of Duty Endowment, which helps unemployed and underemployed veterans find high-quality jobs. Players can also earn and donate Rewards points to the USO and Call of Duty Endowment through the Rewards program.
Start earning Rewards points today through various activities like playing games, completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing eligible items at the Microsoft Store. Redeem your points for exciting rewards and contribute to supporting military service members and veterans.