I am curious, do you have to be a big name act to perform with the USO overseas for our troops? If yes, can you instead perform at military bases in the U.S.

I would be honored to perform for our troops, but don't know how to get the information about doing so.

I don't know anything about performing for the USO, but you may want to contact them directly to see what kind of qualifications they're looking for. As far as performing on base, I've done it a number of times. I live in Alaska, which has several military bases. If you're hired by people living on base for a party, they can tell you what requirements you need to get on base, and will probably have your name added to the visitors list. (I'm not sure if there are different procedures for different bases, or different branches of the millitary) I've also worked at the annual airshow that's put on at the airforce base near where I live. (Fun gig, but LOUD!) I got approached to do that one, but if you're trying to inquire about a possible gig, I'm not sure who you would want to contact. Mabe call whoever does their public relations, and ask to be reffered to the right person for hiring entertainment.
Hope that helps.

Caveat: I retired from the Air Force in '92, so some of this AFE and MWR information may have changed a bit. During my service I traveled with several European AFE tours and was very active through MWR on bases across the U.S. and Europe as an entertainer. Today, I generally work directly with Youth Center, Family Support Centers and club managers.

The USO generally recruits celebrity talent for their tours these days. If an entertainer has not yet reached celebrity status, the USO encourages them to contact Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE). AFE is an office of the Department of Defense and they manage the more common non-celebrity touring program. AFE can be reached by calling 1-800-458-0868 or visit their web site. Good luck!

As for performing on military bases, you have four avenues:

• You can send a promo packet to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department. MWR is generally responsible for organizing base wide events like 4th of July celebrations, spring carnivals, airshows, open houses and base wide concerts. They also manage the military clubs and youth centers. If you want to do this in person, you can call ahead and make an appointment with the entertainment manager. This will get you a visitor's pass through the gates. Your best bet starting out, however, is a direct mail and phone call campaign.
  
  
• You can and should also contact the club and youth center managers directly and leave your materials.
  
  
• You can contact the Family Support Centers. They provide a variety of services to the families on the base and sponsor events through the year. They are more likely to ask you to volunteer your services for special events, but they'll help you get your name out to the military community in return. I personally consider it an honor to volunteer my services for events supporting the children and spouses of our deployed military members.
  
  
• Finally, you can reach out to the families and military units directly through the base newspaper or direct mail. Military units often sponsor unit picnics, family Christmas parties and the like and need entertainment.
  

Finding these agencies is as simple as pulling up the base's website and looking for a unit directory. Nearly every base has one.

A few caveats:

• Expect and plan for serious delays on entering and, possibly, departing the base. You'll need a visitor's pass to enter the base. Depending on the time of day, this can be a time-consuming process. Plan ahead. Remind your sponsor to call Visitor Control for you. Know which gate to enter for Visitor Control. Take a current photo ID, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Know your client's name, address and contact phone number in case they forgot to call ahead.
  
  
• You are subject to a full vehicle and person search on entering the base, departing the base and any time you're on the base. By law, you automatically grant consent for these searches by passing through the gate. These random searches can take anywhere from ten to thirty minutes. Considerably longer if you fight the search or you're caught with firearms, fireworks, drugs and other contraband in the car.
  
  
• Don't go sightseeing without a guide. Most military bases have high security areas and it's easier than you might think to blunder into one of these areas with a wrong turn or two. We were occasionally called out to corral sightseeing civilians driving down an active taxiway, restricted access road or target field.
  
  
• Military bases are generally very conservative by nature and are very tight-knit communities. Fail to deliver as promised or present a slipshod business image and word will spread like wildfire. By the same notion, give reliable five star service at a fair price and you'll have plenty of business coming your way.
  

I have an agent that books me a lot of family shows on military bases. He is retired military, so I'm sure he has some contacts.

These are great shows to do. It's always a great audience (mostly kids and their moms).

Skip is right on with his caveats.

Go to the USO website, they have all the info including a link to submit your material

I did a few local base shows a few years back and am an AF veteran. Lots of budget cuts these days. I send some info to NCO Clubs also but nothing happened there.

DC

As I said, these are tight-knit communities and the MWR facilities are hit with tons of mailings from entertainers. Once they find local DJs and performers they like, they generally stick with them. So, if you're not working with an agent, you'll need face-time with the managers and it takes a little extra effort to get your foot in that door.

Nearly every base, camp and post hosts an annual Retiree Appreciation Day. Retirees come in with their families to be honored,fed and entertained as they update medical records, wills and ID cards. The Retiree Services offices are always looking for affordable entertainment for the day. Offering a fair rate may get you in the door and you'll be able to meet the club owners and MWR managers. Sound networking skills will bring you back.

Large scale military deployments and returns are another opportunity to display your skills and draw interest. Families gather to see military members off and await their return. In many cases, these are huge affairs and organizers are looking for entertainment to fill empty time; especially family and kidshow material.

The Christmas season is a huge draw with every unit hosting holiday parties. The exchange services AAFES and NES manage the commercial retail stores and food services on the base. Like malls, they're often looking for entertainment to kick off the Christmas retail season; things like magical Santa productions and drawing people to the stores.

Market to their needs. It's all about building that reputation on the base. Once you have one base under your belt, you can ask for their referrals to branch out to neighboring commands.

From the USO Site:
Q: I am an entertainer who wishes to participate in USO shows. How do I apply?
A: We take pride in our ability to deliver some of America’s most popular and well-known celebrities around the world to the troops. USO celebrity status is not necessarily defined by experience or level of professionalism, but rather as a performer that has name recognition with the military members and families for who they perform or visit. We also qualify celebrity status based on coverage in entertainment trade magazines like Billboard and Variety and as those seen on MTV, BET, CMT, etc. If you feel that you or the artist you represent meets these criteria, we look forward to discussing the possibility of a USO tour.

Unless your name has the national recognition of Copperfield, Blaine or Angel you'll have better luck landing a tour through the DoD AFE as I stated above.

Don't make jokes about the President of the United States. He is the commander in chief and the army don't like it.

When I was in the Army, the only USO shows were overseas. In all my time in the US I never heard of a USO show for any of the bases I was stationed at.

Some non-famous talent can entertain the troops overseas, as lead in for the stars. Anyway, I did not recognize them as stars.

What the guy above is talking about is the clubs and organization on the bases and this is more like trying to book a regular show as the club has a budget for entertainment.

When I was in the service, I had my magic shipped to me and performed in non-commission clubs on the bases overseas and in the US.

The important thing is you need promo material and a video of your act. It has to be very professional.

USO shows in a war zone is very dangerious business.

You could also enlist into the service and go into the entertainment section of the service. You would then be able to perform for military pay all over the world.

Tops in Blue good act in US Air FOrce.

Unless things have changed, to tour with Tops in Blue one must be active duty Air Force and earn a slot through the international MWR Talent Competition.

As for famous entertainers performing in the US. I was in boot camp at Fort Leonardwood MO. and got to see Ray Charles live back in 73. Can't get much more famous than that!!
mightydog
David

The Miltary has a lot of requirements of your going to perform on board base. I have been performing on board miltary bases for many years and since 9/11 its so much more pre show time involved.

Allow yourself at the least an extra hour to check in at the gate. Bring a copy of your contract, 2) Phoyo ID's, your vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Be prepared to have anything you have searched.

That said you will never get to perform for better or more deserving people then the familes that serve in our miltary.

I did over 20 years in the USA Army and have preformed many times and places. For USO shows you need to be a big name to work. As far as the ARMY, just contact the recreation centers! It is easy and much welcome. I have seen groups who did tours of the centers across the USA. At least this was the way it was back when I was in the Army. Call or walk in and do some talking.

As far as the recreation centers, I have seen acts in Korea that wasn't the USO, but they were still doing a show. It was a normal recreational program with an act (entertainment). So, (at that time) it was possiable to travel doing shows with these rec-centers. Now I retired in 95 and things may be different.

Another Idea is to hit up groups such as Wounded Soldier and the like.


Best
Ray

Do these shows typically pay anything decent? How does pay work? Who pays for it and is there much red tape?

They pay as well as any other show you might do - it depends, as anywhere, on how you negotiate and what the current demand is. When I was active USAF in Europe we'd have small puppet, magic and juggling troupes come through with family shows. They were usually one-night-gigs. They'd generally offer a morning show at the base daycare or DoD school, maybe an afternoon family workshop then a family show at the Rec Center that evening. They'd eat in the mess hall and spend the night in billeting (part of the negotiation). Then they'd leave for their next stop on their tour.

Most started touring through MWR clubs and rec centers here in the US and built a good reputation and network of contacts. They then used that network to book tours overseas. It's not really any different from any other market.

Thanks for the info. I was more wondering more about stage shows and feature performances as far as pricing, budgeting and expenses.