Volunteer

Image of a volunteer in front of the C-24 giving a tour to a group of visitors. In the background is the Korean War Gallery

The National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF) has a dedicated team of over 550 volunteers. The benefits of volunteering at NMUSAF are many, including:

An opportunity to be active and involved in your community.
Being part of a fun team of fellow volunteers who enjoy sharing our Museum with the public
Fun activities, including an annual banquet, picnic, and after-hours events.
Being a part of Ohio’s most exciting free attraction, the world’s largest and oldest military aviation Museum.

Our requirements are simple – Volunteers must be:

18 years of age
Willing to work two, half-day shifts per month
Possessing a positive and customer focused attitude!

Here are our specific needs:

Guest Experience Volunteer: We need upbeat, positive people who have customer service skills to meet and greet volunteers in person or by answering the telephone. These positions do not require any experience or knowledge of aviation or aircraft. In this capacity, you will greet guests, assist them with their mobility requirements by issuing carts, strollers, or wheelchairs, and answer visitors’ questions on the telephone.
Gallery Volunteers: This is our major requirement. An interest or background in aviation, aircraft, or the military is helpful but NOT NECESSARY. Gallery volunteers meet and greet guests in the Museum galleries, answer questions, and provide directions to ensure each guest feels welcome. After a certain period and completion of training, Gallery volunteers may become tour guides / Docents if desired.
Education Volunteers: We need volunteers with a passion for learning and working with students of all ages to assist with our educational programs. Education volunteers teach or assist with classes, conduct guided tours for school groups, and interact with school groups on a regular basis.

After filling out an online application, you receive an email asking you to schedule an interview. We usually do interviews Wednesday afternoons and once monthly on the Third Saturday. During the interview, you will be asked about your background, availability, interests, and motivation for volunteering. Applicants accepted for volunteering will then be scheduled for a background check and fingerprinting.
The final step is to attend a volunteer orientation. If your availability is limited to weekends only, we can accommodate your schedule, but onboarding might take longer.

Thank you for considering volunteering with the National Museum of the USAF. All our current volunteer needs are met, so we are not accepting applications at this time. Please check back in the future, sometime after April 2026 for the application window to open again. Thank you again and we hope to see you soon as a new volunteer!

If you have specific questions, please contact us at nationalmuseum.volunteer@us.af.mil

Click on the arrow for each category below for more information.

Eligibility
Age
Adults, age 18 or older

Positions
Visitor service positions (public) are performed seven days a week, daytime hours only, and work is performed in four and a half-hour shifts.

Technical positions (restoration and archives library) are performed on weekdays only. Working one day per week is required.

Administrative positions (office/computer) are performed on weekdays only. Schedule is flexible.

Please view the Position Descriptions for more details.

Background
Volunteers are male and female, civilians and active duty, and represent all ages.

Commitment
Volunteers schedule for a least two shifts per month; more if desired.

Snowbirds/vacation/health/student absences are excused. Deployed military resume all rights and benefits upon their return.

Dress Policy
Business dress is required for visitor-interface positions. Shop uniforms are provided for restoration positions. Office attire is required for administrative positions.

No hats, denim or shirts with advertising/messages.

Museum volunteers are a direct reflection on the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

Education Requirement
All that is required is a willingness to learn and relate museum information.

Health
You must be physically able to perform the position you select. Physical mobility for gallery/education monitors/tour guides is required.

Training
New volunteers begin by attending a New Volunteer Orientation, after fingerprinting and background check are complete. Monthly orientations are normally held at 9 a.m. the third Friday of each month (excluding December), and quarterly on the third Saturday in March, June and September. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in continuing education, special events and tours.

Email
All volunteers must have access an email address.
Benefits
Don't want to work for nothing? Not a problem! Here are some perks.

- Affiliation with the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum
-  Association with the U.S. Air Force and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
-  Meeting aviation enthusiasts from around the world
-  Reserved parking
-  Annual appreciation banquet
-  Gift shop discounts
- Complimentary admission to select shows at the digital 3D theatre
-  New aircraft and exhibit previews
-  Complimentary beverages during breaks
-  Connection with museum and aviation professionals and distinguished guests
-  Advance notice to special events, lectures and concerts
-  Participation in a wide variety of special activities
-  Special evening lectures by notable aviation experts
-  Monthly volunteer newsletter
-  On-the-job training
-  Continuing education
-  Preserving your heritage
-  Sharing your personal military history with others
-  Giving in a way that makes a difference to others
-  New experiences
-  Personal satisfaction
-  New friendships and meeting people with common interests
-  Tax benefits
-  Holiday parties and picnics
-  Increased quality of life and self esteem
-  Rewarding work
-  Museum career experience
Volunteer Facts
Don't know much about our volunteers? Not a problem! Here are some amazing highlights.

Did you know

...... this museum pioneered volunteerism in the USAF?
National Museum of the U.S. Air Force volunteers have been serving the museum for 46 years.

… volunteers are the lifeblood of the Air Force to museum visitors?
Museum volunteers hosted more than 700,000 on-site visitors in 2019.
The museum had more than 3 million online visitors during the year.

… volunteers serve the museum 362 days a year?
Approximately 500 active volunteers maintained the museum’s operation last year.

… volunteers contributed 88,709 hours of time in 2022?

… museum volunteers traveled many miles from many places to volunteer?
They arrived from Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia to serve the museum.

... museum volunteers represent every generation?
Our youngest volunteer is 18 years old and our oldest is 94 years young.
1% of volunteers represent the GI Generation, born 1901-1926.
40% of volunteers represent the Silent Generation, born 1927-1945.
48% of volunteers represent the Baby Boomers, born 1946-1964.
2% of volunteers represent Generation X, born 1965-1981.
9% of volunteers represent the Millennials, born 1982-1997.
81% are male and 19% are female.

… more volunteers are always needed?
Do you know someone who could serve?

Hear why volunteers Jason Wrachford and Norma Colussi love volunteering at the museum in and interview with WYSO.

Click here to read Pam Bradbury's perspective on volunteering at the museum

Click here to read an article about Museum Volunteers featured in the Skywrighter, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base newspaper

Contact Volunteer Services at
nationalmuseum.volunteer@us.af.mil

CURRENT VOLUNTEERS: Use the button below to log in to the Volunteer Information Center.

The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force of non-U.S. Government sites or the information, products, or services contained therein. Although the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force may or may not use these sites as additional distribution channels for Department of Defense information, it does not exercise editorial control over all of the information that you may find at these locations. Such hyperlinks are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this website.

Screening at Entrance
All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. In addition all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives and firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons.
Prohibited Items
Prohibited Items:
- Firearms*
- Knives
- Box cutters
- Food and Soda Drinks
- Alcohol
- Coolers

* Firearms, to include conceal carry and other dangerous weapons, are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC §930 (c)

Permitted Items:
- Water bottles (clear, sealed bottle, up to 20 oz.)
- Purses
- Camera bags
- Diaper bags
- Strollers
- Service animals

Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles.
Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum.
Visitor Photography Notice
Notice: Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media.
Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum.

Become a Volunteer

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Our requirements are simple – Volunteers must be:

Here are our specific needs:

Why I Volunteer

Contact Us

Volunteer Info Center