JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The USO recently expanded services at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst with a new center and increased mobile support for service members.
A 6,600-square-foot USO center located at 5601 Texas Avenue opened in April 2026, featuring Wi-fi, computers, gaming systems, televisions, pool tables and enhanced lounge areas with refreshments, all at no cost to active duty, Reserve and National Guard service members, retirees and their dependents with valid identification.
Cari Matthews, area operations manager for USO New Jersey and Delaware, said the upgraded facility was designed with daily use in mind.
“Our space is a place to have your lunch break, hang out during training weekends, or take a break from your workday,” Matthews said. “We want our service members to feel like it’s their home away from home.”
Beyond daily amenities, the center will soon offer a variety of programs, including youth events such as Lego and craft nights, along with other activities listed on the USO New Jersey website at nj.uso.org. The center also includes visits from USO canine teams including Ranger, a therapy dog who was recently named the USO North Region’s 2026 Canine of the Year.
As part of the transition, the current USO space inside the AMC Passenger Terminal will close, with that area being reassigned to other base organizations in need of space.
Planners prioritized locating the new center near where troops live and train, particularly for those without reliable transportation. The new center is in close proximity to the U.S. Army Support Activity Fort Dix barracks, the Military Entrance Processing Station, and U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard facilities.
“Walking distance matters here,” Matthews said. “Many service members coming in for training don’t have transportation, so being close to the barracks makes a big difference.”
Additionally, the USO is increasing its mobile footprint, bringing services directly to troops at training ranges.
Using a recreational vehicle called a mobile USO canteen, USO staff members create a field-based support area equipped with lounge furniture, outdoor games, coffee and refreshments, providing a comfortable, social environment in otherwise austere conditions.
The response from service members has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’ve received amazing feedback, very impactful,” Matthews said. “Some service members have said they have been serving in the military for several years and are thrilled to see the USO in this new way. It’s been great making new connections.”
The USO team is made up of two staff members and a network of volunteers who work closely with units to reach as many service members as possible, often positioning the trailer near large training groups or moving between ranges as needed. They prepare the trailer the same day of operations, stocking food and essentials before heading out to the ranges.
“We go wherever we’re needed most,” Matthews said. “Whether we stay in one spot surrounded by hundreds of service members or move around and go to different ranges, we do whatever needs to be done to serve the most service members.”
Community partnerships and volunteers play a vital role in sustaining those efforts.
“As a nonprofit, we depend on our surrounding communities to partner with us in serving our military,” Matthews said. “We are always in need of volunteers and community partners to help us deliver our mission.”
Matthews said the team is driven by a commitment to support service members regardless of location or conditions, and they witness the direct impact of that work on a daily basis.
“We know the work we do is so impactful,” Matthews said. “We see it firsthand every day. Boosting the morale of our military is very rewarding. When we can put a smile on their faces through meaningful interactions, it makes our whole day.”
The new USO center is open Monday through Friday and on some weekends. Hours are fluid and may vary based on available volunteers. Patrons should check the USO New Jersey website at nj.uso.org for the most up-to-date information.