An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | Jan. 23, 2009

Deployed Soldiers Get a 'Troop Cave' with Creature Comforts

By Samantha L. Quigley American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - "Kuwait" and "all the comforts of home" are phrases rarely uttered in the same sentence, but a "Man Caves" makeover at Camp Virginia, Kuwait, will show that sometimes the improbable can happen.

The DIY Network TV show regularly turns basements and dens into guy-friendly hang-outs, but a 2,000-square-foot overseas USO lounge was another matter entirely.

"This is by far our biggest undertaking," Tony "Goose" Siragusa, a former National Football League defensive lineman and co-host on "Man Caves," said. "It was extremely special to work with the soldiers in Kuwait, not to mention the selfless men and women we met while working on 'Troop Cave.'

"[We] hope they're enjoying the space we created," he added.

The DIY Network and the USO worked together on the "Troop Cave," which offers an environment as close to the comforts of home the servicemembers will find until they're back in the United States. It has a state-of-the-art movie theater with stadium seating and a new projector; a game area with custom-made consoles, flat screen TVs and new gaming equipment; a lounge and snack area; and a soundproof music room with high-tech recording equipment and new instruments.

It also offers a "United Through Reading" room as part of a USO program that enables deployed parents to read a child's favorite book aloud on videotape or DVD, and then send the taped reading back home. The idea is to keep parents and children connected through long deployments.

"We are so proud to have partnered with the USO on this project," Jason Cameron, the show's other co-host and licensed contractor, said. "Not only did we have an opportunity to give a little back to the troops serving our country overseas, but we also did what DIY Network does best: share home-improvement tips and unique experiences with our viewers."

The project began with the shipment of 20 containers of donated building supplies and furnishing, each weighing more than two tons, 7,000 miles. Once there, the "Man Caves" crew had plenty of help. More than 100 volunteers participated in "Man Caves: USO Troop Edition," including members of the Michigan, New Jersey and Ohio National Guards.

In fair trade, the show's hosts got a crash course in military life. Siragusa struggled to learn military lingo while ordering lunch and participated in combat simulation exercises. Cameron worked with members of the Ohio National Guard's 237th Brigade Support Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The hour-long, previously recorded special is set to air on the DIY Network on Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. EST.

 

 

Related Articles
Photo of medical training during a Port Subject Matter Expert Exchange at the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, August 20, 2025. (Courtesy Photo)
Washington Guard Continues Strengthening Relationship at Thailand’s Port of Laem Chabang
By Joseph Siemandel, | Sept. 30, 2025
CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Four members of the Washington National Guard partnered recently with more than 170 employees from the Port of Laem Chabang, Thailand, to continue improving the port’s all-hazard response as part of the...

Leaders and attendees from the Hawai‘i National Guard, Guam National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines gather for a group photo during the 25th anniversary celebration of the State Partnership Program between the Hawai‘i National Guard and the AFP at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 25, 2025. The Hawai‘i Guard and AFP launched the Indo-Pacific’s first State Partnership in 2000, marking 25 years of cooperation in training, disaster response and regional security.
25 Years Strong: Hawai‘i Guard and Philippines Celebrate Enduring Partnership
By Master Sgt. Mysti Bicoy, | Sept. 30, 2025
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Cheers, handshakes and shared stories filled the air Sept. 23–25 as the Hawai‘i National Guard and Armed Forces of the Philippines celebrated 25 years of partnership — a bond that has endured...

Oklahoma National Guard leaders and Italian representatives unveil a plaque at the former headquarters of the 45th Infantry Division during WWII in Venafro, Italy, Sept. 8, 2025. A delegation of Oklahoma National Guard members and veterans toured key locations from the 45th Infantry Division’s campaign in Italy against German forces during World War II, continuing the development of the Thunderbird Trail. The initiative is aimed at preserving the Division's role in World War II through a memorial trail tracing its footsteps through Italy, France and Germany, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Danielle Rayon)
Thunderbird Trail: Preserving Sacrifice, Strengthening Connection for Oklahoma Guard
By Sgt. Danielle Rayon, | Sept. 29, 2025
ITALY – Standing among rows of white marble headstones at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Soldiers of the Oklahoma National Guard bent to place sand from the beaches of Anzio into the carved names of...