Kristina Carini
What is your favorite military memory?
My most recent role with the USO was in construction and our focus for the last year has been building USO Centers on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. My father retired from the Navy, and I was a Navy spouse for over 20 years, but working on the ships gave me a new appreciation for the day-to-day life of our U.S. Navy sailors. My favorite memory is seeing the sailors come into the space we’ve created for them, eyes wide open and in awe of the transformation, and sharing that it doesn’t even feel like they are on a ship. That right there… that glimpse of hope that we could perhaps provide a little reprieve for them and deliver a space to get away from the mundane, gives me a feeling of joy and fulfillment beyond articulation.
What is your favorite military base?
Easy, it’s the base I’ve spent the most time on…JEB Little Creek in Virginia! I’ve been going to the base since I was a little kid. It’s the location of the first gym I worked out at, my first job at 17, and I still frequent the base often for work and personal visits. Also, my mom (who worked for MWR) had a dogwood tree planted there in my dad’s honor after his death. It’s a beautiful coastal base on the Chesapeake Bay and holds a very special place in my heart.
What is your favorite city the Mobile USO Program has sent you?
Although I haven’t been on an official USO Mobile trip since I’ve only recently joined the team, in 2018 I had the opportunity to travel to South Carolina in East Coast Big Blue as a passenger with Angela Hodge to support an exercise with the AMAZING SC team of Joanie Thresher and Katie Kennedy. We then headed to Fort Campbell/Nashville for USO Warrior Week! It was a great trip and was likely what sparked my desire to work in the Mobile program.
What is the most memorable event with the USO and why?
I have a few but spending a week 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle at Thule Air Base in Greenland (now named Pituffik Space Base) setting up a USO Center for our service members that are in such a remote and isolated location is at the top of my USO memories. Between the mission, my colleagues, the service members we worked with, and the unique terrain and tranquility of the area …it left a mark on my heart forever.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself.
Not a fun fact, but kind of coincidental…I’m a recent empty nester and was considering living in a Class B van or truck/trailer and traveling, when able, around the US to explore our beautiful country during this new season in my life. Then, one day, I randomly checked the USO career page and saw the USO Mobile position that felt “meant to be” and now I can explore the US, see new places, meet new people, and spread USO goodness - as my job!
Joe Holyfield:
What is your favorite military memory?
Serving in the U.S. Navy for two deployments to the area around the Baghdad International Airport, Iraq. I was operating and maintaining a base defense weapon system, keeping everyone as safe as possible while they were on the installation. It was very gratifying to see the weapon system in operation, saving countless lives.
What is your favorite military base?
Victory Base Camp in Baghdad, Iraq
What is your favorite city the Mobile USO Program has sent you?
Philadelphia, PA for the 2022 Army-Navy game.
What is the most memorable event with the USO and why?
Easily it was a trip to Richmond Raceway in Richmond, VA back in 2021. A group of us were there to support a coworker and his family getting recognized by the track. NASCAR and the track gave us the rockstar treatment with a Garage tour and Suite access to watch the race. The highlight of the whole trip was when a video message was broadcast to the entire track from the wife of the coworker, who was deployed at the time. The family got to watch the message from their wife and mother as they were standing in Victory Lane. To cap the whole night, the car with USO branding on it actually won the race.
Tell us one fun fact about yourself.
I am a seven-time shave in support of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, raising money for childhood cancer research.
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