Community Service
- Thread starter USNA2023
- Start date
Hopeful2021
Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2016
- Messages
- 36
I myself have north of 300 but I think you should volunteer because you like it and it brings you joy, not for college applications.
Sorry if I sent off the wrong vibes lol. I volunteer because I enjoy it, I was just wondering what I should set my goal for. I currently volunteer through 4H, church, and civil air patrol, but I'm looking into volunteering in local government this coming year.
Hopeful2021
Member
- Joined
- May 24, 2016
- Messages
- 36
Local hospitals always look good
That's a good idea! There's a hospital 30 minutes away from me. Ill look into volunteering for them
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2008
- Messages
- 6,375
Hi!
(((putting on my ALO hat...)))
I like to see potential candidates showing me a variety of community service hours: hospital, food places, places of worship, youth groups, etc. The variety shows various interests and a desire to help others; not just a specific group.
How much do I want to see? I don't have a number and I know USAFA doesn't either. "Enough" is a great answer but extremely vague: what is "enough?" I would say if you're taking a full academic load, and occasionally have an after school job...during job season or sport seasons, volunteering is tough; everyone knows that. When you have the time...IF YOU DESIRE TO DO IT, then go forward with it!!
I've had candidates with hundreds of hours of service, and some with 30-50 total. What mattered was why and what else they did.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
(((putting on my ALO hat...)))
I like to see potential candidates showing me a variety of community service hours: hospital, food places, places of worship, youth groups, etc. The variety shows various interests and a desire to help others; not just a specific group.
How much do I want to see? I don't have a number and I know USAFA doesn't either. "Enough" is a great answer but extremely vague: what is "enough?" I would say if you're taking a full academic load, and occasionally have an after school job...during job season or sport seasons, volunteering is tough; everyone knows that. When you have the time...IF YOU DESIRE TO DO IT, then go forward with it!!
I've had candidates with hundreds of hours of service, and some with 30-50 total. What mattered was why and what else they did.
Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 22,201
Check out:
https://www.volunteermatch.org
http://www.idealist.org
http://www.createthegood.org
And many similar.
I volunteer when I can for Pets for Vets, when they need helpers for fund-raising events. Always great to spend time with fellow vets and be around animals.
If you volunteer for an obscure non-profit, check them out on Charity Navigator or GuideStar to ensure they are legit.
Some other favorites of mine:
USO
Team Red White and Blue
https://www.teamrwb.org
Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.volunteer.va.gov
All states have their own department of veterans affairs or state veterans department or agency. There is often a state veterans home which welcomes volunteers to visit with vet residents with no families, assist with computer work or to read to them. Here's an example for Maryland:
http://www.charhall.org/content/volunteering/
There are hundreds of opportunities out there.
You can see I focus on vet-related work. Listen to Flieger/ALO Steve, though, when he advises some variety.
https://www.volunteermatch.org
http://www.idealist.org
http://www.createthegood.org
And many similar.
I volunteer when I can for Pets for Vets, when they need helpers for fund-raising events. Always great to spend time with fellow vets and be around animals.
If you volunteer for an obscure non-profit, check them out on Charity Navigator or GuideStar to ensure they are legit.
Some other favorites of mine:
USO
Team Red White and Blue
https://www.teamrwb.org
Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.volunteer.va.gov
All states have their own department of veterans affairs or state veterans department or agency. There is often a state veterans home which welcomes volunteers to visit with vet residents with no families, assist with computer work or to read to them. Here's an example for Maryland:
http://www.charhall.org/content/volunteering/
There are hundreds of opportunities out there.
You can see I focus on vet-related work. Listen to Flieger/ALO Steve, though, when he advises some variety.
Last edited:
I really like the idea of the vet nursing home. I have so much respect for veterans, so this is definitely something I will look into. Thank you for the great ideas!
Ok, thank you for that information! I got a little worried because I was so busy this last year and racked up only 40 hours...
I do a lot mostly through 4H, but I recently joined civil air patrol which will be a lot of volunteering, from cleaning up an airport to color guard for sporting events. But I'm looking into volunteering at a hospital or veterans nursing home (or something like that) like mentioned above. My problem is really time. I live on a ranch in pretty much the middle of no where, and I'm in charge of animal care about 5 days a week... if I wasnt homeschooled i would have t0 time no do anything. Thank you for the information!
I've realized that about literally everything to do with the USNA. The quality so far of mine is decent. It's been mostly ushering for my church, volunteering for my local food bank through 4H, recruiting for Civil Air Patorl and 4H, and helping County Officials. I'm trying to convince my parents to let me volunteer at the local VA clinic, because I really like to help out veterans.
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2007
- Messages
- 2,481
As with most of the application process, have a RATIONAL/LOGICAL reason on WHY you chose to do something. If you chose to visit 100 different sites/organizations to do community service...why? If you chose 5...why? Your BGO and MOC interviews are likely to ask questions using this reasoning (i.e. why choose one SA over another? why would you turn/not turn someone in for an honor offense?). There isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer to everything!
I've volunteered through 4H cause it opened many doors for volunteering. From a local food bank to serving brunch to county officials. I've done volunteering through civil air patrol because usually think it's a great program and want others to join it. I wanted to do something veteran orientated but my local VA clinic only accepts 18 yrs and older...