History

Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (Family & MWR) provides programs and services designed to foster readiness, and enhance the lives of Warfighters, families, civilians, retirees, and other eligible patrons.

Our work is vital to DLA, America’s combat logistics support agency that is solution oriented, efficient, and resilient. Family & MWR employees strive to deliver the highest quality programs and services that range from Business Operations, Child and Youth Programs, Family Advocacy, Outdoor Recreation, and Sports and Fitness activities. Our programs relieve stress, build strength and resilience, and help the DLA workforce stay physically, mentally, and financially fit.

Our History

DLA’s roots were planted on the battlefields of World War I where, behind the lines, Salvation Army sisters and Red Cross volunteers tended to the needs of Soldiers as the forerunners of today’s Family & MWR specialists. Upon the conclusion of the war, funding stopped and morale programs were discontinued. In July of 1940, the Morale Division, later named Special Services, was established within the Adjutant General’s Office. In 1962, DLA signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the United States Army that provided DLA the ability to follow Army Regulations and provide core recreational programming to their military and civilian counterparts.

Today, MWR is comprised of six organizations across DLA host sites: Susquehanna (New Cumberland), Columbus, Richmond, San Joaquin, Battle Creek and Fort Belvoir’s McNamara Headquarters Complex.

Guiding Principles

  • Family & MWR supports effectiveness and readiness.
  • Family & MWR supports retention and recruitment of quality personnel.
  • The Family & MWR programs are designed to meet the needs of the community. This includes service members, retirees, civilian employees and families.
  • The Family & MWR program is customer driven.
  • Non-appropriated funds are returned to customers through provisions of market-driven programs and capital improvements.
  • Promotes and maintains the mental and physical well-being of authorized personnel.
  • The Family & MWR workforce, our most valuable resource, will be professionally developed, skilled and trained.
  • Family & MWR supports deployment and mobilization.
  • A corporate body guides and oversees Family & MWR programs and funding.
  • Resource allocation must be commensurate with Family & MWR mandates and program sustainment.

People

More than 350 Non-Appropriated (NAF) and Appropriated (APF) professionals provide support programs and services to Defense Logistics Agency’s 25k+ workforce consisting of Warfighters, Families, DoD Civilians, as well as tenant agencies, National Guard and Reserve units.