OCS of Tampa: Gov. Ron DeSantis honors Tampa high school seniors enlisting in the U.S. Armed Services

OCS of Tampa: Gov. DeSantis recognizes Bay Area students enlisting in military: ‘I’m proud of you’

In the media: Trooper Steve On Patrol spotlights ‘Our Community Salutes’

A joint effort to recognize and support young Americans answering the call to serve.

OCS of Baton Rouge: Community Honors High School Seniors Joining Army

OCS of Georgia: OCS GA to honor GA military-bound high school seniors

OCS of San Antonio: High school seniors who plan to enlist in the military following graduation will be recognized and honored at the next enlistment recognition ceremony

In the media: Honoring & supporting nation’s newest & youngest service members

In the media: Nonprofit honors new enlistees in their communities

Listen: OCS featured in recent podcasts

Watch: “5 Minute Salute” with Ryan Bauman of OCS

Solving the Generation Z military recruitment crisis

In the media: Patriotic organization encourages young Americans to enlist in the military

Our military recruitment crisis robs today's young adults of these life changing opportunities. America’s All Volunteer Force turns 50 this year. Since 1973, the U.S. military has, with rare exceptions, met its annual recruitment goals and improved the quality of the force.  

Now, however, it is mired in its worst recruiting stretch in history. Last year, the Army missed its recruiting goal by 25% and already predicts it will miss again in 2023.  Ditto the Air Force and Navy. 

Our Community Salutes (OCS) was founded in 2009 to help “communities recognize, honor, and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation.” In practice, one of its core activities is planning events just like this one in the hope it will inspire and pay tribute to the kids who have made the honorable decision to bypass or delay college in favor of serving their country. Between April and June, OCS will have held 40 ceremonies of for high school students enlisting in places ranging from San Diego to the Virgin Islands.

OCS of Lowcountry: Honoring the newest service members

OCS of Colorado Springs: Honoring the newest service members

OCS Fayetteville’s recent ceremony in the local press

Watch: OCS Charlottesville Director, Lettie Bien, interviewed by local news!

Our Community Salutes has been recently highlighted on NBC Philadelphia. The segment was a part of NBC’s coverage for Veteran’s Day. It focuses on how OCS