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ROSSLYN, VA – Today, Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn and Selective Service Acting Director Joel C. Spangenberg signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) forging a partnership centered on public awareness, marketing, and recruiting strategies to provide Americans ways to participate in public, national, and volunteer service in the U.S. and around the world.
“For more than 63 years, the Peace Corps has partnered with federal agencies and like-minded organizations to champion American volunteerism abroad. We are honored to formally collaborate with the Selective Service System on our common goal of raising awareness among young people about the transformative power and lasting impact of service,” said Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn. “America’s youth are passionate about creating positive change. Together, through this partnership, we can inspire the next generation to take action and turn that passion into meaningful, mission-driven service.”
“We are excited to join in this partnership with the Peace Corps, which is the first partnership we have ever completed between our two agencies. This week, which includes the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, is a fitting time to elevate service together and further strengthen our great nation, Our collaborative efforts will help more young people become aware of service opportunities available to them, begin a service journey, and contribute to the betterment of society and the world,” said Selective Service Acting Director Joel C. Spangenberg. “We continue to forge partnerships with federal agencies, like the Peace Corps, to build momentum following our successful Service for America Summit held earlier this year.”
The Peace Corps and Selective Service System will work together to launch data-driven public awareness campaigns through digital platforms, media, and outreach engagements to inform the American people about opportunities to join the Peace Corps and serve boldly in host communities in one of nearly 60 countries worldwide or serve in volunteer roles with the Selective Service System as a local board member in locations across the nation.
Through this partnership, the Peace Corps is building on its Bold Invitation campaign to call on motivated changemakers to advance world peace and friendship through international service. The MOU signed today underscores the vision and goals of the White House Interagency Policy Committee on National Service, as well as the National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service’s recommendations. The two agencies are committed to building collaborative efforts between governmental partners to cultivate broader awareness of service and expand opportunities for Americans to serve.
In addition, the agencies will collaborate to place alternative service workers in civilian roles within the Peace Corps in the event the nation ever returned to conscription. During peacetime, the Selective Service System routinely works to recruit local board members and maintain a national robust Alternative Service Program that enables individuals classified as conscientious objectors to service in national service in lieu of serving in the military. The Selective Service System entered into a similar agreement with AmeriCorps in December 2023.
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About the Selective Service System: Federal law requires all male citizens, as well as male non-citizens residing in the U.S., to register with Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday. At 26, a man becomes too old to register. Those who do not comply are ineligible for numerous benefits, including state-level student financial aid, federal job training and employment, and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants. The Selective Service System seeks volunteers to serve on its local boards and as state resource volunteers. Interested citizen-volunteers can apply at sss.gov.
About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps is an international service network of volunteers, community members, host country partners and staff who are driven by the agency’s mission of world peace and friendship. At the invitation of governments around the world, Peace Corps Volunteers work alongside community members on locally prioritized projects in the areas of education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development, and youth development. Through service, members of the Peace Corps network develop transferable skills and hone intercultural competencies that position them to be the next generation of global leaders. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 volunteers have served in 144 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
