Your Next Mission Is in Someone's Yard.
IWTMYL connects active-duty service members, veterans, and military families with neighbors who need help — including fellow veterans. One visit. One yard. Real impact. And every hour is documented.
Five Steps to Documented Service
Register
2 minutes — tag yourself as active-duty, veteran, or military family.
Browse
Open requests near your base or community.
Accept
Accept a visit and show up with a mower (or use shared equipment).
Complete
Complete the visit — we document your hours automatically.
Verify
Request a verification letter anytime for MOVSM packets or evaluations.
Volunteering With IWTMYL Qualifies Toward the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
The MOVSM recognizes service members who perform outstanding volunteer service to the civilian community. IWTMYL provides free lawn care to veterans, older adults, and neighbors in need — qualifying as direct, sustained civilian community service under DoD policy.
There is no DoD-mandated minimum hour threshold for the MOVSM. Requirements vary by service branch and individual installation — consult your chain of command for local guidance. We track every hour and provide official verification letters on nonprofit letterhead — the documentation your command needs for a nomination packet.
For Army personnel, the MOVSM is worth 10 promotion points in the Awards and Decorations category (per AR 600-8-19). Verify current point values with your unit's promotion authority.
What We Provide
- Official hour verification letter on 501(c)(3) letterhead
- Detailed service log (dates, hours, households served, service types)
- Written confirmation that service was voluntary and civilian in nature
- Willingness to verify information if contacted by your command
How to Submit
- Army: DA Form 638 through your chain of command. Attach IWTMYL verification letter + VMIS printout if available.
- Navy: Submit through your command. Reference MILPERSMAN 1650-020. Verify current instruction version.
- Air Force: Submit through CSS. Reference AFI 36-2803. Verify current instruction version.
- Marines: Submit through your SNCO. Reference MCO 1650.19J. Verify current instruction version.
- Coast Guard: Submit through your unit. Reference COMDTINST M1650.25F. Verify current instruction version.
Regulation references are provided for convenience. Always verify current versions with your command, as DoD instructions are periodically updated.
Your Service, Your Way
Army
The Army Volunteer Corps tracks community service through VMIS — and IWTMYL is working to register as an approved organization. Your hours with us count. Whether you're active, Reserve, or Guard, one Saturday morning can change a veteran's week.
Register as a SoldierNavy
Fleet and Family Support Centers coordinate community engagement for Sailors. Your volunteer hours with IWTMYL can be documented in FITREP bullet statements and support MOVSM nominations. One yard at a time.
Register as a SailorAir Force
The Whole Airman Concept values community involvement. IWTMYL volunteer hours show up naturally in EPR bullets and quarterly award submissions. Your neighbors need help — and your service makes a measurable difference.
Register as an AirmanMarines
Marines know what it means to show up. The Single Marine Program coordinates community service, and IWTMYL provides the kind of direct, hands-on mission that builds camaraderie while serving fellow veterans and civilians who can't maintain their own homes.
Register as a MarineCoast Guard
The smallest branch with the biggest hearts. Coast Guardsmen often feel overlooked in volunteer programs designed for larger branches. IWTMYL serves every community in every state — and your hours count just the same.
Register as a Coast GuardsmanNational Guard & Reserve
You already live in the communities IWTMYL serves. You know the neighbors. You see the overgrown yards. As a Guard or Reserve member, you're uniquely positioned to make a difference right where you are — and document it.
Register as a VolunteerFlexible. Meaningful. Resume-Ready.
Military spouses face a 21% unemployment rate and relocate every 2–3 years. IWTMYL offers something rare: a volunteer role that works around your schedule, connects you to your new community immediately, creates visible impact in 1–2 hours, and builds real resume experience. No long-term commitment. No complicated onboarding. Just show up and help a neighbor.
Register as a VolunteerJoin a Service Detachment Near Your Base
We're piloting base-adjacent volunteer chapters — small teams of 10–30 service members and veterans who gather one Saturday morning a month to serve 4–6 neighbors in a single coordinated mission.
Three hours. Real impact. And you're done by lunch.
Service Detachments are coming soon. Pilot locations: Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (NJ), Fort Liberty (NC), and Joint Base San Antonio (TX). Want to lead one near your base? Email brian@iwanttomowyourlawn.com.
Service Beyond Service
Meet our volunteers who serve beyond service. Stories coming soon.
Are you a veteran or active-duty volunteer? We'd love to feature your story. Email brian@iwanttomowyourlawn.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I volunteer in uniform?
Active-duty personnel may volunteer in uniform with commander approval per DoDI 1334.01. However, most of our military volunteers wear IWTMYL t-shirts — it keeps things simple and avoids any endorsement complications. We'll send you one after your first visit.
How do I log hours for MOVSM?
We track your hours automatically. When you're ready, request a verification letter from your volunteer dashboard or email brian@iwanttomowyourlawn.com. We provide the documentation your command needs for a nomination packet. Requirements vary by service and unit — check with your chain of command for local guidance.
Can my unit do a group service day?
Yes. We can coordinate a group mission for 5–50+ service members. We identify nearby homeowners who need help, organize the logistics, and provide equipment if needed. Email brian@iwanttomowyourlawn.com to plan one.
Is this only for military and veterans?
Not at all. Anyone can volunteer. We highlight the military pathway because your hours qualify for MOVSM and other service documentation — but our volunteers include students, retirees, landscaping professionals, families, and neighbors of all backgrounds.
Do you provide equipment?
Most volunteers bring their own mower, but we're building a shared equipment program near major bases. After 10 hours of service, volunteers are eligible for an eco-friendly battery-powered equipment upgrade through our equipment partner program.
Can my spouse volunteer too?
Absolutely. Military spouses are some of our most dedicated volunteers. Each family member registers individually so we can track hours separately.
How do I get an hour verification letter?
Request one through email at brian@iwanttomowyourlawn.com. We generate a letter on official 501(c)(3) letterhead with your name, dates, hours, and service details. This is the documentation you need for MOVSM packets, evaluations, or any other verification. Hours are based on completed visit records — if actual hours differ from our estimates, let us know and we'll adjust.
What if there aren't many requests near my base?
Check back regularly — new requests come in daily. You can also help us spread the word in your base community. The more people who know about IWTMYL, the more neighbors we can connect with volunteers like you.
Ready to Serve Again?
Right now, a veteran or elderly neighbor near your base needs help with their yard. They can't do it themselves. Your skills, your time, and your service ethic are exactly what they need.
I Want To Mow Your Lawn Inc. is a non-federal entity. It is not a part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and has no governmental status. The use of military terminology and program references on this page does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
