08/28/2026
🏆 Congratulations to our amazing partners at the AUSA Fort Leonard Wood – Mid Missouri Chapter on being named Chapter of the Year for the THIRD year in a row! 🎉🇺🇸
The USO is proud to continue working alongside this incredible organization and supporting the Fort Leonard Wood military community together. We are grateful for this partnership and all they do for our service members and their families!
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 👏
The Fort Leonard Wood Mid-Missouri Chapter has captured another AUSA National Award for 2026, adding to what has already been an exceptional year of national recognition.
For the third consecutive year, the Chapter has earned the AUSA NCO and Soldier Programs Top Chapter Award, recognizing its outstanding contributions to Soldiers and the Noncommissioned Officer Corps.
Chapter President John Gideon was notified today that the Chapter had once again been selected for this prestigious recognition.
During the 2026 award period, the FLW Mid-Missouri Chapter conducted 117 events in support of Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families. These events reflect the Chapter's continued commitment to making a meaningful difference throughout Fort Leonard Wood and the surrounding Mid-Missouri communities.
One of the Chapter's most significant initiatives continues to be recognizing Veterans who served during the Vietnam War Era. During a ceremony in Richland, Missouri, the Chapter reached a major milestone by recognizing its 1,500th Vietnam War-Era Veteran since beginning the program in 2021.
The Chapter also conducts a monthly Boots and Brew event in partnership with the Fort Leonard Wood USO. The event gives Soldiers an opportunity to stop by the USO, grab a cup of coffee or juice, and spend time networking and building camaraderie with fellow Soldiers.
Another ongoing initiative is the monthly Women Veterans Coffee held at the Waynesville-St. Robert Senior Center. The gathering provides women Veterans with an opportunity to connect, share experiences, develop friendships, and strengthen the Veteran community.
These are just a few examples of the 117 events conducted by the Chapter during the award period and demonstrate the broad impact its members, volunteers, and Community Partners continue to have throughout the region.
The NCO and Soldier Programs Top Chapter Award is the latest in a series of major AUSA National honors announced for the FLW Mid-Missouri Chapter in 2026. AUSA previously announced that the Chapter has been selected as the 2026 Best Chapter, further recognizing its outstanding programs, community engagement, and support of the Army.
Adding to this remarkable year, former Chapter President and current Fifth Region President CSM (Ret.) Freddie L.T. Brock has been selected as the 2026 Sergeant Major of the Army William G. Bainbridge Medal recipient for his significant contributions to NCOs, Soldiers, and the United States Army.
Together, these honors reflect the dedication of the entire FLW Mid-Missouri Chapter team and its continued commitment to the AUSA mission of supporting Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families.
Three consecutive NCO and Soldier Programs Top Chapter Awards, recognition as the 2026 Best Chapter, and the 2026 Bainbridge Medal recipient make this an extraordinary year for the Fort Leonard Wood Mid-Missouri Chapter and the communities it proudly serves.
Association of the United States Army - AUSA National AUSA Midwest Region - 5th Region U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood USO Missouri Waynesville/St. Robert Senior Center
