A lot of people choose to serve their country in many different ways. Learn about some of the national programs that allow you to serve your country.
Volunteering can be a great way to serve and there are many ways to do it. These include signing up to join the Army Reserve or National Guard, or volunteering for civilian organizations like AmeriCorps or the Peace Corps. These programs offer members several benefits, including tuition reimbursement, housing stipends, and base access.
Though these perks make volunteering financially feasible for many who otherwise could not afford to do them, volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience that can't be replaced or measured with just money or benefits.
Volunteering also has several important benefits to the body, mind, and soul. On all fronts, physical and mental health is improved, as is the quality of life. Many people report an increase in well-being and a sense of accomplishment after they've finished their service.
This is especially true when you sign up for one of the programs that allow you to continue your education. Not only are you able to get a degree, but it will be paid for by the country or organization you volunteered with. This combination of education and service is particularly appealing to Americans, some of whom simply don't know what to do with their life after high school.
For some people, enlisting in the military might not be an option. These individuals may be too old, too young, or they may already have a career lined up that they don't want to abandon. By volunteering for a program like AmeriCorps, however, they can join the ranks of their peers and have a positive impact on the country as a whole.
There are numerous programs out there that offer an alternative to military service. Here is a list of some of the notable organizations:
AmeriCorps: The mission is To improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. There are many different programs underneath the AmeriCorps Umbrella;
State and National: State and National members, ages 17 and older, serve in either teams or individually through national and community-based private and public organizations. Members help solve community problems through direct and indirect service, in the areas of education, public safety, the environment, and other human needs such as health and housing.
VISTA: Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) members, ages 18 and older, perform capacity-building activities, over a course of a year, through private non-profit organizations and public agencies. VISTA members address issues related to poverty, such as public health, education, the environment, public safety, and employment, by developing and mobilizing resources that create long-term sustainable benefits at a community level.
NCCC: National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members range from ages 18 to 24 and serve in a 10-month team-based residential program (teams usually include 10-14 individuals) to complete a variety of projects in the areas of education, disaster services, the environment, and other unmet needs. NCCC members often travel to projects throughout their region. You may either apply for the Fall Class, which begins in the September/October timeframe or apply for the Winter Class, which begins in January.
Peace Corps: This is a program that sends volunteers to other countries to help them develop infrastructure for education, health, business, and more.
Military Reserve/National Guard: Of course, if you're young enough and want to join the Army Reserve or National Guard, you can do that instead of volunteering for one of the programs above.
Learn more about each of these programs:
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