Marines


Volunteer Program
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Official U.S. Marine Corps Website
Crossroads of the Marine Corps

about

 

Quantico’s Volunteer Program (MVP) offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to military personnel, family members (to include youth 13 years and older), veterans, and installation employees. Volunteering is a great way to develop skills, learn more about career options, make friends, garner new professional contacts, develop your professional network, get exercise, spend time outdoors/with animals/with kids, or even just shake up your routine.  For our military members, earn the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Award or the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

All personnel must be in an approved off duty status to volunteer.
 

Getting started

Interested Volunteers must complete the MCBQ Volunteer Application

The Quantico Volunteer Information Center provides approved volunteers the means to control their volunteer experience. Registered users can use the site 24 hours a day, seven days a week to quickly locate volunteer opportunities, sign up for volunteer events and activities, track hours, print reports for award purposes, and earn hours for recognition at the MCBQ Volunteer Appreciation Event held each April at the Clubs at Quantico. 

Volunteer opportunities are provided for informational purposes for active duty personnel, family members, retirees, veterans, and civilian employees. The information provided on non-Federal volunteer opportunities does not imply official DoD or USMC endorsement.   

 

All personnel must be in an approved off duty status to volunteer. 

volunteer spotlight

 

Serving in the military: A family affair

According to the 2011 Pew Research Center survey, almost 80 percent of active duty service members have a close relative who has served in the military. Of those, one in four has a parent who has served in the armed services. 

Cpl. Kelsey Nelson is part of an even smaller group. Both of her parents served in the United States Army. Their dream for their youngest daughter was that she would go to college and have a career outside of the military. Her father, a retired sergeant major, was in disbelief when she returned home to Killeen, Texas, after graduating college with a bachelor’s degree in creative arts in therapy, and announced she was joining the United States Marine Corps. When asked why she chose to enlist, Cpl. Nelson explained, “Being a Marine had always been in the back of my mind. I wanted to be part something bigger and it has always meant a lot to me to be able to serve.”

Today, she is a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense specialist. Her days are filled with warehousing operations and training Marines to conduct immediate actions and confidently use their personal protective equipment in a CBRN environment. She spends her evenings working on her master of forensic sciences degree, studying Korean language, and enjoying time with her husband and a 14-year-old cat.

Even though she has a busy schedule, Cpl. Nelson continues to look for ways to do more to help the community. She plans on helping the Prince William County Animal Shelter with their dog-walking program. She wants to do more because, “I believe that you get out of life what you put into it.” 

Her husband, also a Marine, is a member of the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C. When he is on tour, she uses her free time to volunteer in the community helping the elderly and those with special needs. When considering the many places she has volunteered, a few clearly stood out. “The staff at Heatherwood Retirement Community are incredibly friendly and the residents are great,” she said. Deborah Sweeney, life enrichment director at Heatherwood Retirement Community stated, “Cpl. Nelson shared in the daily activities of our seniors. The program has been very meaningful to our residents, particularly our veterans. It allows our folks to share their stories and meet young military service members who now uphold the legacy they helped to create.” 

As Cpl. Nelson reflected on her volunteer time, she noted that her favorite activity was the House Inc. National Capitol Region Cinderella Ball. “We wore our Dress Blues and welcomed middle and high school students with disabilities. We made it such a big deal for them. It was pretty special when we were able to escort them down a red carpet and under an archway of NCO swords,” Nelson said.

When asked what her future holds, Nelson replied simply, “I’m not sure. All I know is that I want to earn my own way, like my father did.”

 

Installation Volunteer Coordinator703-784-2687

 

three reasons for volunteering

 

1. Volunteering is great for the mind and body:

 

Helping others provides a means to increase overall levels of personal happiness. A small break from life's routines can improve your mood and helping others in need can help you refocus on the good things happening in your own life.  

 

2. Volunteering helps you connect with others:

 

Volunteering is the perfect bridge between Marine Corps life and the community both on base and off.   Volunteering helps you become more involved in the events and programs across our area.  It provides a great place to meet people with similar interests and can help families, friends, or units develop stronger relationships.   

 

3. Volunteering expands horizons:

 

A great way to test out a new career field or organization is to volunteer.  Most volunteers find the experiences provide for enhanced networking opportunities as well as the chance to develop new skills. 

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Any service member in an off duty status, civilian/DOD employees and their family members.

Visit the Quantico Volunteer Coordinator page at Quantico Volunteer Opportunities - MCCS Quantico 

Visit the USMC Volunteer Coordinator page at Quantico Volunteer Opportunities - MCCS Quantico to see the volunteer opportunities.

Letter of Appreciation are provided by the Accepting Official from the Organization that you provide service with. Please note that not all organizations will provide such. It is the volunteer’s responsibility to report service hours to the Installation Volunteer Program via email here  or 703-784-2687 to receive your LOA. If the event was coordinated by the Single Marine Program, please email the SMP here  about your Letter of Appreciation.

Visit SECNAV M-1650.1 for more information. Reference Tab 18, Appendix 4A pages, 4-55 to 4-58.

Marine Corps Base Quantico