Volunteers :: National Military Role Model

Overview

Junior Achievement, located in Colorado Springs, is proud to be the sponsor of the newly designed NATIONAL MILITARY ROLE MODEL PROGRAM. This effort is a collaborative project to focus attention on military role models in our nation’s classrooms. The elimination of compulsory service some 25 years ago has resulted in our nation’s youth not being aware of the important role of our military service members.

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest and fastest growing non-profit economic education organization. The purpose of s is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. JA has created programs that are implemented in classrooms during normal school hours and after-school, in all grades at the elementary, middle and high school level. There are nearly 150 offices located throughout the United States. These local offices provide the connection to the classroom as well as the lesson plans and training that assist the volunteers. Each year, 8 million students around the world participate in Junior Achievement programs.

The NATIONAL MILITARY ROLE MODEL PROGRAM provides a win-win situation for the U.S. Military and Junior Achievement. The military advantages include: greater community involvement, role model recruiting, increased public image, and leadership development opportunities. Junior Achievement will realize up to 150,000 – 200,000 new volunteers that have proven leadership experience and are available nationwide.

The NATIONAL MILITARY ROLE MODEL PROGRAM will focus on five military groups. Active Duty Posts and Bases will be targeted to increase their volunteer activities; Reserve and National Guard units are also a major source of role model volunteers. The largest potential number of volunteers will come from the 11.4 million retired military members. This group is filled with role models of the highest caliber, men and women who have devoted selfless service in defense of our nation. The NATIONAL MILITARY ROLE MODEL PROGRAM gives the opportunity for veterans to "Serve Again" the youth of the nation. Additionally, the program is encouraged for; ROTC students across the services as well as active and reserve recruiters from each service.

The bottom line: Junior Achievement would like to work closely with the military family to provide role models for America’s youth. The military can do this by endorsing/institutionalizing Junior Achievement’s volunteer programs and publicizing the need for volunteerism.