Volunteering

Eligibility

Eligibility to volunteer in your community typically includes a willingness to contribute your time and skills, but specific requirements may vary by organization.

Requirements:

• Must be 13 years of age or older.
• Minors must have parental permission to volunteer.
• Must be willingly to offer, be accepted, and provide voluntary services.
• Must be in an off-duty status, if active duty or a civilian employee.
• Cannot count any fundraising activity as volunteerism.

Getting Started

Getting started with volunteering is easy! Begin by identifying your interests and skills, then explore local organizations or programs that align with your passions. Reach out to volunteer coordinators for information on opportunities, and don’t hesitate to ask questions to find the best fit for you. Your journey to making a difference starts today!

Explore Volunteer Opportunities
Browse the volunteer webpage and calendar for available volunteer roles that match your interests and skills.

Connect with the Volunteer Office
Contact the Volunteer Coordinator for more information about specific opportunities and application processes.

Complete a Volunteer Application
Fill out the volunteer application form, providing necessary details such as your availability, interests, and any prior experience.

Orientation or Training Session
Attend the required orientation or training to familiarize yourself with the program, expectations, and guidelines. Orientation and training may not be available at all locations.

Complete Background Check (if applicable)
For certain roles, especially those working with children or sensitive information, a background check may be required.

Get Assigned
After your application is approved, you’ll be matched with a volunteer position that suits your skills and interests.

Begin Volunteering!
Start your volunteer journey, making a positive impact on your community while gaining valuable experience.

Why Volunteer?

• Community support
• Develop lasting relationships
• Enhances resumes 
• Grow networks
• Personal growth and development
• Professional development
• Receive on-the-job training 
• Teen volunteer opportunities
• Work flexible hours 

Life Skills Developed:

• Communication
• Empathy and Compassion
• Strengthening Relationships
• Leadership
• Personal and professional development
• Problem-solving
• Networking
• Teamwork
• Time management

• Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM) 
• President's Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)
• Volunteer Service Award (VSA)

L.I.N.K.S

• Our Corps, Our Culture
• Events & Etiquette
• Navigating Resources
• Pay & Entitlements
• Deployments
• Safe and Sound All Around
• The Place You Will Go
• Building Your Network
• Investing in Your Community
• Kids Readiness
• Mentor Training

Single Marine Program

Volunteering with the Single Marine Program (SMP) supports the community, events, and helps enhance the quality of life for Marines and their families.

The Single Marine Program offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities each month with flexible times, days, and locations to meet the needs of our diverse community. Whether you’re passionate about giving back through local food banks or shelters, love working with animals, or just want to get out of the barracks and have fun doing something meaningful, SMP has the perfect opportunity for you! 

Volunteer opportunities are available for single and geo-bachelor Marines. 

Learn more about the volunteering opportunitiess through the Single Marine Program.

Marine Corps Family Team Building

• Host/Greet at Sessions
• Food Angel – Help to Feed our Participants.
• Administrative Support
• Present L.I.N.K.S. Session Topics
• Information Booth Support
• Event Support

Coach Youth Sports

• Tee-Ball
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Flag Football
• Soccer
• Track 

Not all sports listed are available at all locations.
Explore volunteer opportunities with Youth Sports.

Thrift Shop

• Assist with organizing and displaying donated items, ensuring the store is well-presented and easy to shop.
• Help customers find items they need and provide friendly, welcoming service to create a positive shopping experience.
• Sort and process donations, inspecting items for quality and preparing them for sale on the store floor.

Semper Fi & America's Fund

• Community outreach events
• Case work
• Information and resource tables
• Office volunteers
• At home administration and/or event planning

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society

• Must have base access
• Be available between Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 

• Client services - reception duties
• Casework - providing one-on-one financial education and assistance
• Budget for Baby - teaching workshops to military families expecting a child
• Well Baby Clinic - working with our visiting nurses to administer health checks and clothing exchange

All volunteers will be properly trained to support and assist with confidence.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society.

Need Volunteers?

1. On-installation federal entity request must meet the established requirements in accordance with all applicable orders, regulations, and directives.
    
2. It is appropriate to associate MCCS and the command with the NFE's event, and volunteer support of the event will not bring discredit to the Marine Corps or MCCS.
    
3. The NFE's event is of interest and benefit to the local civilian and military community, and volunteer support of the NFE's event will not appear to endorse or favor any private individual, special interest group or business, religion, ideology, commercial venture, political candidate or organization.
    
4. The NFE's event is not intended to provoke controversy or public confrontation.
    
5. The NFE does not exclude any person from its membership or the event for reasons of creed, race, color, national origin, gender, sexual preference, or religion.
    
6. Partisan political organizations, ideological movements, and NFEs whose constitution, by-laws, membership qualifications or ritual are not made public, are ineligible to be advertised.
    
7. The NFE must not require service member volunteers to wear their uniforms while volunteering off the installation in their personal, unofficial capacities.
    
8. MCCS will not advertise volunteer opportunities where the NFE seeks to use service members as ushers, guards, parking lot attendants, runners, messengers, baggage handlers, crowd control or any other similar, menial capacity that would be deemed inappropriate pursuant to community outreach standards.    

• Email Volunteer Coordinator and request the Volunteer Opportunity Request Form.
• Review form and completely fill in all required areas.
• Submit completed form via email to Volunteer Coordinator.

Presidents Volunteer Service Award

• Track your volunteer hours each year between January 1st to December 31st.
• A one-month grace period in January will be allotted to turn in all LOAs from volunteer hours conducted the previous year for end-of-year recognition
• Awards begin at 100 hours for adults.

Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

The Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal is for members of the armed forces and reserve components. Service members will want to volunteer in their civilian and military communities for normally a period of three years, which do not need to be consecutive years. The volunteering should be significant, tangible, sustained, and of a direct nature.

Learn more about the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal by contacting the Volunteer Coordinator.