Read a guest blog from our TEACH partner, the Military Order of the World Wars!

 

About the Military Order of the World Wars

The Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) is a national organization for American military officers, warrant officers, flight officers, and their descendants from all service branches, including NOAA and USPHS. Membership includes active, reserve, retired, or former members.

Founded by statute after World War I at the urging of General John J. Pershing, MOWW aims to foster patriotism and leadership development. Pershing encouraged officers to join after leaving active duty but prohibited organizational political activity, establishing the motto: “It is nobler to serve, than to be served.” MOWW remains a service-focused group working quietly with limited publicity.

Since its inception, MOWW members have collaborated with police, fire departments, youth programs such as Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, ROTC units, and assisted veterans in civilian transitions. The organization continues to seek former officers and descendants to support these efforts.

 

2026 Youth Leadership Conference

 

 

Each summer, MOWW holds Annual Youth Leadership Conferences (YLCs) to teach high school students leadership skills, citizenship, and American values. Around 250 Texas students are selected annually, with an Outstanding Student recognized at each event. Participants return to their schools to share what they’ve learned.

High school juniors and seniors from Texas and Oklahoma are chosen by sponsoring chapters or organizations. All costs—meals, lodging, and program fees—are covered, with families providing transportation.

Students are supervised, assigned to teams led by past YLC graduates, and stay in university dorms separated by gender. Activities take place in campus facilities, with some conferences offering field trips to sites like the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and the National Museum of the Pacific War.

To learn more about the MOWW's Education Program, please visit https://moww.org/outreach-programs/patriotic-education-program/.