Martial Arts Training

Morale programs for Soldiers have existed since the Revolutionary War.  Organized programs started on the battlefields of World War I, where the Salvation Army and Red Cross ministered to the needs of Soldiers as the forerunners of today's MWR personnel.  In 1940, at the beginning of World War II, the Morale Division, later named Special Services, was established.  Between 1946 and 1955, the core recreation programs were established and staffed by a combination of active duty military and civilians.  Until the mid 1980s, active duty enlisted Soldiers and officers held military occupational specialties in Special Services at every level of command.  As those specialties were discontinued, civilians continued to operate MWR programs with military oversight.  Special Services underwent many reorganizations and name changes before its present configuration as MWR