DISCOVER YOUR CALLING IN PUBLIC, NATIONAL, OR MILITARY SERVICE
By Alex Harrington, Executive Director
Our country and her citizens are facing many historic challenges today: the COVID-19 pandemic which has claimed over 840,000 American lives, a struggling economy, a climate crisis with rising carbon dioxide and temperatures, unbridled drug addictions throughout our communities and cities, rising cases of domestic terrorism, and much…much…more.
To tackle these problems, we need dedicated and talented individuals to be the strength of this country by serving in public, national, and military vocations, especially now when these service areas are facing their own unique institutional challenges.
In public service, roughly one-third of Federal employees are eligible to retire in the next five years. In fact, approximately 101,000 Federal employees retired in FY 2021, but less than half of new hires between the ages of 20-29 joined to fill the gap of those who’ve left.
Military service is facing similar challenges in recruitment of young men and women in the same age group. Approximately 71% of youth do not qualify for military service “because of obesity, drugs, physical and mental health problems, misconduct, and aptitude.” Only 1% of the population currently serves. Moreover, the share of the U.S. population with military experience is declining as well. According to the Census Bureau, between 2000 and 2018, the veteran population declined by over 30%: from 26.4 million to 18.0 million.
And when it comes to national service programs, such as AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and the Peace Corps, most Americans are unaware of these national service programs.
Do you sense a calling to be the strength of this country and to carry on America’s spirit of service in order to help those who are struggling, as well as help our cities, states, and nation meet the challenges of today? And more so, the challenges of tomorrow? Then read on and learn about the wide-range of service opportunities in public, national, military, and other service organizations.
Public Service
- Branches of the U.S. Government
- The Government of the United States
- Working for the federal government: Part 1
- Working for the federal government: Part 2
- Federal Government Employment Projects
- Executive Branch: Federal Employee Composition
- Coronavirus COVID-19 Schedule A Hiring Authority
- Ready to Serve: Political Positions
- Administration positions
- Student Programs
National Service
- Peace Corps
- AmeriCorps
- AmeriCorps State and National
- AmeriCorps VISTA
- AmeriCorps NCCC
- AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP
- AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program
- AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program
- AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program
- Fire Corps
- National Neighborhood Watch Program
- Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)
- Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS)
- Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
Military Service
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
National Guard or Military Reserves
- Army National Guard
- Army Reserve
- Navy Reserve
- Marine Corps Reserve
- Air National Guard
- Air Force Reserve
- Coast Guard Reserve
Other Service Opportunities
- Public Health Service
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Military Sealift Command
- U.S. Merchant Marines
- National Science Foundation Rotator Programs
- Apprenticeship.gov
- Selective Service
Allow me to part with the words of Max Stier, president and CEO, Partnership for Public Service:
"Good government starts with good people, and America depends on those who serve ... and willing to take on even the toughest challenges on our collective behalf. Let me be frank: It takes a certain kind of person to be successful in government and other public service jobs, one who is committed to change, who is mission-focused, and who will be dedicated to facing and overcoming obstacles along the road to success."
# # #
Please follow us on Twitter @FedCareer and join our Federal Career Connection page on LinkedIn or find us on Meetup at meetup.com/mbc-cnm.To get updates on upcoming workshops and career coaching sessions, visit https://federalcareerconnection.org/events/
Author: Alex Harrington is currently a Federal civil servant and a Certified Career Services Provider and Global Career Development Facilitator. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a Persian Gulf War veteran.
