Army Volunteer Corps Program

The ACS Army Volunteer Corps AVC Program is the administrative umbrella for all on post volunteering and includes three fields for volunteers to fall under:

1. STATUTORY POSITIONS: Authorized by federal statue (10 USC 1588) to provide services in certain Department of Defense activities such as Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR), Family Programs, museums, chaplain, child care, etc. When acting within the scope of their position description, statutory volunteers are provided certain benefits by law. Per AR 608-1 all Statutory Volunteers must register with VMIS or unit/organization, complete a volunteer agreement (DD FORM 2793), and have a position description prior to starting work.

2. PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS: Volunteers are part of non-federal entities authorized to operate on the installation such as the Military and Civilian Spouses' Club (MCSC) Thrift Shop, scouts, Red Cross, etc. These organizations contribute to the overall installation mission. Volunteers for private organizations are covered only by those benefits provided by the private organization and are not eligible for any benefits from the Army.

3. GRATUITOUS SERVICE: Volunteers provide services to organizations not covered under the federal statute, and do so with no expectation of compensation or benefit coverage. Volunteers must sign a gratuitous service agreement. Call 760-380-2399/8422 for more information on Gratuitous Service volunteering.

4. STUDENT INTERNS: Volunteer labor accepted by Armed Forces but not covered by 10 U.S.C 1588.AR 608-1 address Student Intern volunteers and local SOPs

DD Form 2793- Volunteer Agreement Form

DA Form 5671- Parents Permission Slip 

We Need Your Participation - Volunteer Today! 

All volunteers must register through the Volunteer Management Information System, or VMIS, which can be accessed through ARMY OneSource. By doing this, volunteers can record and track their hours, which are then verified by their volunteer supervisor. This is a great tool for tracking your volunteerism. You can use the information on resumes, in job interviews, and to apply for awards such as the Volunteers of the Year Award or the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal (MOVSM).

The MOVSM is on the list of awards and decorations that earn promotion points for advancement to sergeant and staff sergeant. Soldiers who have earned the MOVSM can be awarded 15 promotion points in the awards section of the Promotion Point Worksheet, DA Form 3355. Read more. (Source: ArmyTimes.com)

In addition, every volunteer, to include youth volunteers, on Fort Irwin must be registered with in the Army Volunteer Corps office located in Army Community Service, building 1317.

Helpful printable links:

VMIS General Guide

Volunteer Request Form

DD Form 2793 Volunteer Agreement Form

DA Form 4162 Service Record

DA Form 4713 Time Record

 *only to track volunteer hours manually. All volunteers hours must be entered and tracked on VMIS to be certified.

DD Form 5671 Parent Permission

Step 1: Visit myarmyonesource.com, and select “Volunteer Tools” from the menu in the upper right hand corner of the screen.

Step 2: Select CA, then Fort Irwin – National Training Center.

Step 3: Browse through the volunteer opportunities to find one you’d like to do. You can narrow your search by organization.

Step 4: Select a position, and click apply. Fill out your information, and you will be contacted shortly by the Army Volunteer Corps Program manager.

If you don’t see anything that’s a good fit for you, contact the Army Volunteer Corps Program, and we can create a new position! We welcome you as a valuable resource to the Fort Irwin community and would be honored for you to share you time and talents with us.

>> Be a Girl Scout leader!

>> FMWR Sports Volunteer Coaches. POC: +1(760) 380-2257

>> The American Red Cross is in need of adult and youth volunteers. POC: +1(760)380-3697.

Off-Post:

Desert Mana, a shelter that serves the homeless population in Barstow, needs help unloading their food truck and sorting items every Thursday at 1100. You will need to report to the admin office on 201 1st Ave, Barstow CA. You will then help the other volunteers sort food boxes in the church basement. If you would like more details, call Steven at +1(760)256-7797.

Barstow Hospital Front Desk or Gift Shop or Blood Bank

Pick up volunteer application at the Gift Shop or Front Desk at the Barstow Hospital.

To nominate a Volunteer of the Year please contact the Fort Irwin Army Volunteer Corps Program at +1(760)380-8422

"Neighbors Helping Neighbors"

The mission of the Mayoral Program is to enhance resident Quality of Life, and provide information and referrals to the residents of Fort Irwin.

Through partnerships with the Major Subordinate Commands (MSCs), the Garrison Commander (CG), Army Community Service (ACS), the Directorate of Public Works (DPW), Provost Marshall's Office (PMO), Michaels Management Services, The Villages at Fort Irwin, Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES), and the Commissary (DeCA). The Mayoral Program provides communication channels to inform, plan, coordinate, manage and direct action that will address and meet Fort Irwin community needs.

There are currently thirteen (13) Fort Irwin Villages. Each village has a volunteer Mayor and Deputy Mayor:

-Bitter Springs Mayor     -Cactus Cove Mayor     -Calico Estates Mayor     -Crackerjack Flats Mayor     -Coyote Springs Mayor     -Desert Winds Mayor     -Dove Gulch Mayor     -Granite Canyon Mayor     -Mojave Mayor     -Sage Brush Mayor     -Sandy Basin Mayor     -Sleepy Hollow Mayor     -Tiefort View Mayor

These positions are open to all residents. If you are community-minded and want to make a difference, contact the Mayoral Program Coordinator.

Community Facebook Pages

• The Villages at Fort Irwin (updated by Pinnacle)
• Bitter Springs at Fort Irwin
• Cactus Cove at Fort Irwin
• Calico Estates Village
• Coyote Springs in Fort Irwin
• Desert Winds Community
• Sleepy Hollow Village at Fort Irwin
• Tiefort View
• Sage Brush Village

Mayor/Deputy Benefits

•Valuable training

•10 hours of free childcare monthly while performing duties

•Parking pass for Commissary and other designated areas.

•Selected Mayor of the Month/Quarter receives gift card from AFEES

•Get to know your neighbors

•Pay and go cleaning voucher of quarters upon PCS/ETC provided by Michael’s Military Housing.

Mayor/Deputy Qualifications

•Must attend the Monthly Fort Irwin Community Town Hall Meetings

•Must live in the Fort Irwin village they wish to represent

•Mayors must attend the Community Mayor's meeting as scheduled. The Deputy Mayor must attend when serving in the absence of the Mayor.

Housing

Before contacting your mayor or the main office line with any issues or concerns you might have, please contact your community manager. They are your first point of contact for resolving issues in your community.

Town Hall Community Forum

The Fort Irwin Community Town Hall Forum is held every month. Representatives from various installation organizations, along with the village mayors meet to discuss issues that are affecting the Fort Irwin community. Updates on various upcoming events and activities are also given. For more information on the forum, contact the Mayoral Program Coordinator.

National Night Out (NNO) is also known as America's Night Out Against Crime. This year’s event will be held on DATE/TIME/LOCATION. Last year’s event included over 10,000 communities and involved over 34 million people. NNO is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthen the spirit of neighborhoods and community partnerships. For more information on NNO or if you would like to participate in this year's event, contact the Mayoral Program Coordinator.

Important Links and Information 

The Villages at Fort Irwin

4553 Tippecanoe Fort Irwin, CA 92310

Main Office: +1 (760)386-4663

Work Order Request Line: +1(855)646-6420

For more housing info, go to http://www.irwin.army.mil/Community/HousingRCI

Volunteer Recognition

Volunteers play a huge role in improving the quality of life for Soldiers and family members within the Fort Irwin community. Fort Irwin has a number of recognition ceremonies by which we are able to express our appreciation to our volunteers for their service and commitment to our community. The above list is not exhaustive, there are numerous awards to recognize volunteer for their service. See the Fort Irwin Army Volunteer office for information on additional awards.

Fort Irwin Installation Volunteer Awards

There are many different types of installation awards. The awards are given to volunteers at different phases of a volunteer career here at Fort Irwin as well as different ceremonies.

Open Awards:

 Certificate of Appreciation

 Fort Irwin Volunteer of the Year Award

Fort Irwin Annual Volunteer Award Recognition

Fort Irwin recognizes the steadfast commitment of our volunteers throughout the installation. These volunteers are recognized throughout the year through various awards and events. Coordinated and hosted by AVCS, this post-wide event recognizes all volunteers, in all areas throughout Fort Irwin. The event is a special opportunity for the Army Volunteer Corps, Army Community services and Garrison command to spotlight volunteers and celebrate the Spirit of Giving. Community and installation partners come together to pay special ‘Thanks’ to the many volunteers who give so much of themselves throughout the year.

Annual Awards

 These awards are given out at the Annual Installation Volunteer Award Ceremony and can be received every year.

•Volunteer Youth of the Year Award

•Volunteer Family of the Year Award

•Volunteer of the Year for Adults

•Volunteer of the Year

•Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Award

(MOVSM)- (This is as DA Award and can be presented at the Annual Installation Volunteer Recognition Ceremony or Quarterly Award Ceremony).

Deployment Awards

These awards are given out at the end of a deployment and are given to volunteers who had a great impact on the unit during the units’ deployment. These awards can only be received once by an individual in their volunteer career.

Fort Irwin Volunteer of the Month/Quarter Award

This volunteer award is presented quarterly at the Community Town Hall Forum. If you want to nominate volunteers for a Fort Irwin Volunteer Award or a Department of the Army Volunteer award, contact your Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator.

When to recognize volunteers:

•Completion of a special project or event

•On their birthdays

•During National Volunteer week (held every April)

•Installation Volunteer of the Quarter

•Installation Quarterly award ceremony

•At a Unit or Directorate Event

•At the Annual Installation Recognition Award Ceremony

•Before a volunteer PCS', ETS' or retires

Ideas for recognizing volunteers:

•Provide constructive feedback and explicitly say you appreciate them, and be specific about what they have done that you appreciate

•Write thank-you notes, a personal hand-written note is highly valued

•Email their command to let them know how much you appreciate their contribution

•Write a letter of recommendation for them

•Give volunteers more challenging responsibilities to show that you trust them

•Recognize them in front of other volunteers, peers, or in a board, FRG or Steering committee meeting

•Recognize them in the company, BN or organization newsletter

•Have an end-of-the-year reception for all your volunteers

•Encourage all of your volunteers to attend the Fort Carson Volunteer Holiday Social

Department of the Army Awards

 Certificate of Appreciation

 Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service

 Certificate of Appreciation for Public Service

Unit/Organization Volunteer Managers Support

Support to pursue the recruitment, training, and retention of Volunteers through the Installation Volunteer Advisory Council (IVAC) quarterly meeting

The Installation Volunteer Advisory Council (IVAC) is designed to identify volunteer issues in the community, share successful programs, address common problems, and encourage interaction and support among volunteer organizations on the Fort Irwin community. The IVAC will serve as a resource and networking system for organizations to pursue the recruitment, training, and retention of volunteers.

MEMBERSHIP: Membership in the IVAC is open to:

 a. Any Fort Irwin and Private Organization approved by the Garrison Commander, which employs volunteers.

 b. Any program recognized by the U.S. Army, which employs volunteers, IAW Title 10 U.S.C. Section 1588.

The Fort Irwin Army Volunteer Corps offers you the opportunity to develop skills, explore a new career, network with other professionals and create opportunities for yourself. The Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator (AVCC) will assist you in documenting your volunteer time and enable you to use it on a job application and /or resume should you decide. If you are interested in helping others, sharing your talents or honing your job skills volunteerism is one of the most rewarding ways to accomplish your goal.

Fort Irwin's Army Volunteer Corps office is the center for volunteer recruitment, referral, recognition, and professional development for volunteers and volunteer leaders. As a volunteer, you can be placed in a wide array of positions throughout the installation and within the Barstow, CA area. Many of our spouses have extraordinary talents and skills to share with our community. The Army Volunteer Corps provides you the opportunity to make a difference in your community. Through volunteer service, volunteers can learn, or hone skills, and gain work experience which leads to increased self-confidence and marketability for paid positions. There are many services available to the installation that wouldn’t be possible without volunteers. We currently have over 600 volunteers – come join the force!

Installation Volunteer Orientation

If you are interested in volunteering with the Fort Irwin Community, the first place to start is the Installation Volunteer Orientation.  This orientation provides all the information needed to volunteer including available volunteer opportunities, expectations, requirements, and information on volunteer awards.

Volunteer Management Information System Training (VMIS)

The Fort Irwin Army Volunteer Coordinator (AVC) tracks volunteer hours by using the Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS).  The system was developed to give the Army a snapshot of volunteer activities occurring on post at any given time.  VMIS provides all of the tools needed to track AVC volunteer hours, manage and track volunteers, post open positions, print reports, and much more.

Organization Point of Contact Training (OPOC)

Are you an Organizational Point of Contact for volunteers? The Fort Irwin AVC is now offering a Volunteer Organizational Point of Contact class.  This class will provide you with the information needed to utilize the Volunteer Management Information System (VMIS) for the organization.

Volunteer Awards and Recognition Training

This training is a great way to learn about the many award opportunities that are available for volunteers and how to write award-winning nominations.  This class will specifically cover what the Fort Irwin instillations require for registration and the recognition process.

Registration for all classes is required, please call Army Volunteer Corps Program for more information.