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The Joint Service Teen Council is a year-round youth leadership program that empowers military-connected teens to turn the unique challenges of military life — frequent moves, long separations from family members and constant change— into powerful leadership opportunities.
Supported by the War Department through Child and Youth Programs, JSTC brings together military-connected teens from across the services and around the world to identify common issues that affect military-connected youth and work toward solutions that help military families thrive.
Each year, council members come together for the annual Joint Service Teen Council Summit, which serves as the capstone of their year-long work. During the in-person summit, teens explore issues affecting military-connected teens, engage in collaborative problem-solving and brief senior military leaders on their findings and recommendations.
While teens convene at the summit, they have additional opportunities to engage in civic projects and educational activities, and deepen their understanding of American history through tours and speaker engagements.
After the summit, council members return home where they share summit insights with their local youth programs, installation leadership and headquarters’ teen council and have the opportunity to apply for grant funding to help make change in their communities.
The connections I made here will last a long time, and I feel more prepared to advocate for change.
Youth centers provide safe, structured spaces where military-connected children, youth and teens can build friendships, feel supported by their peers and trusted adults during times of change, and develop teamwork and leadership skills. Installation youth programs not only offer activities, but they also create pathways for teens to grow and lead. Military-connected youth can explore programs such as leadership clubs, community service activities and peer mentoring.
Learn more about youth programs available at your installation. Visit your local youth center or read more about military youth centers on Military OneSource.
For many teens, involvement with Joint Service Teen Council starts close to home at their local youth center. Teens get involved with their installation’s local teen council, where they collaborate on local projects and initiatives affecting military-connected youth.
Each installation selects a representative to join their service’s headquarters teen panel, connecting with peers from across the country. Service headquarters then choose representatives to attend the JSTC Summit where they address important issues affecting local military-connected teens.
Through these shared experiences, military-connected teens build confidence, foster relationships, and develop teamwork and leadership skills in a supportive setting.
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