DoW Military Outreach Initiative
The Department of War has extended the Military Outreach Initiative through July 31, 2027.
Check Your Eligibility
National Headquarters
National Headquarters
The Department of War has extended the Military Outreach Initiative through July 31, 2027.
Check Your EligibilityThe Armed Services YMCA is proud to work with the Department of War (DoW) to administer the Military Outreach Initiative. Established in 2008, the Military Outreach Initiative offers no-cost fitness facility memberships and respite child care services for eligible Independent Duty Personnel on Title 10 orders — regardless of deployment status — and their families nationwide. This initiative provides access to vital resources that promote mission readiness and family resilience.
The Department of War established the following eligibility requirements for active duty service members and currently serving Guard and Reserve: 1) MUST be on Title 10 orders; and 2) MUST have at least six months remaining on Title 10 orders as of the date the application is approved; and 3) MUST meet all criteria in one of the following four categories:
Category 1 also includes National Guard and Reserve Component on Title 10 Federal mobilization orders.
Service members assigned to a military installation with fitness facilities are not eligible. Title 32 orders are not eligible due to the fact that the DoW program is federally funded, therefore state mobilization orders that would require state funding would not apply.
Separations by choice are not eligible.
Separations by choice are not eligible. Title 32 orders are not eligible due to the fact that the DoW program is federally funded, therefore state mobilization orders that would require state funding would not apply.
To get started, please review the Program Instructions and Requirements and FAQs. Download, complete, and submit the indicated documents based on your eligibility and status.
Program Instructions and Requirements
Please review before completing your application. This information provides eligibility and renewal criteria, and submission information.
Frequently Asked Questions
This document provides additional information about the program, how it’s funded, participant eligibility, membership attendance and reporting requirements, and the respite child care program.
Membership Application
To be completed by the sponsor/spouse. Submit completed and signed form with Title 10 orders (and any other required forms) to the applicable Service branch email below.
Waiver Request Form
Complete this form if attendance requirements for the previous membership period were NOT met. Submit with the renewal application, attendance report and Title 10 orders.
Respite Child Care Application
Complete this form to request respite child care. This form is optional. Note: Only available at state licensed child care centers that offer hourly care. Child Watch inside a fitness facility is not eligible.
Independent Duty Station - Command Form
For Command Use Only. Use this form to certify a new Independent Duty Station (IDS) or designate a new or change a fitness facility.
Private Fitness Center Participation Agreement Form
Download this form to a private fitness center not participating in the program. The private fitness center must complete this form.
1) Submit New/Renewal Membership Applications with Title 10 orders (and any other required documents, i.e., attendance reports, Waiver Request Form, etc.) to the applicable Military Component Approving Official (MCAO) email below. Do not email ASYMCA. Incomplete or incorrect forms will be returned and delay your membership request. Submitting a request does not constitute an automatic approval.
–COAST GUARD: Because this is a DoW funded initiative (not DHS), Coast Guardsmen are not eligible, unless the following exception applies: a Coast Guardsman is joint deployed with a Command/Unit on Title 10 orders. In that case, the Coast Guardsman would submit an application to the Service branch with which they are joint deployed.
2) Service branch MCAO reviews all requests and forwards “pre-approved” applications to ASYMCA for a compliance review. If information is complete and correct, the applicant will receive instructions on how to activate the membership. If not, ASYMCA will return the package to the MCAO for corrections.
3) Once the ASYMCA confirms an application is approved, the ASYMCA provides membership activation instructions and works directly with the fitness facility to provide payment.
4) Due to the popularity of this initiative, please allow up to 30 days following MCAO pre-approval for an ASYMCA representative to provide membership instructions. If you have not received confirmation of your membership within 30 days of the ASYMCA receiving a pre-approved application from the MCAO, you may request a status update via email at dodymca@asymca.org for YMCA memberships or dodpf@asymca.org for Private Fitness memberships.
If you have questions regarding the DoW Military Outreach Initiative, please fill out the form below, or leave a voicemail at 1-866-427-9622 (4-ASYMCA). Due to the high volume of requests, messages are returned within five business days. Thank you for your understanding!
Please note: Program requirements and eligibility are established by the Department of War, not the ASYMCA, and therefore, not available to veterans. We apologize for any confusion.
You are all set! Please remember that only one entry per person is eligible. Additional entries will be disqualified as indicated in the sweepstakes rules.
Your request has been submitted and you are all set! If you have indicated you want us to contact you, a staff member will be in touch with you within the next few days.
