Volunteer

//Volunteer

The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum depends upon the service of a dedicated volunteer crew for success. Our volunteers become shipmates who actively participate in the staffing and operation of this historic aircraft carrier.

Become part of the ongoing history and legacy of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet, an American icon of World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Apollo 11 & Apollo 12 recovery missions! Help preserve the ship and her history by sharing your time, skills, experience, labor, and/or knowledge!

Please note that many volunteer positions require walking, climbing ship’s ladders (stairs), and maneuvering tight passageways. For more information, visit our Accessibility Page.

For More Information, contact volunteers@uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448 x243

Volunteer Positions & Divisions

The Air Group most recently finished the complete restoration of a World War II-era FM2 Wildcat that had spent nearly 50 years at the bottom of Lake Michigan as well as a S-2 Tracker. They are presently restoring a F4 Phantom fighter. No skillsets are required other than a willingness to learn and participate with hands-on restoration.

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The Collections and Exhibitions Department manages some 20,000 artifacts and seeks volunteers who enjoy the traditional work of a museum including working with artifacts, database entry, object research, and more.

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The Community Outreach volunteer position is best for those  able to participate in off-site events throughout the Bay Area. We showcase our popular cockpits at fundraising and community outreach opportunities! Volunteers in this division travel to community events (fairs, festivals, and schools) to represent the USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum.

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Docents provide tours of the ship, relate stories of its history, and interprets the artifacts for museum guests. Many docents are veterans of one of the armed services but many have no military experience—none is necessary, we will train you.

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Event Volunteering is ideal for those with less regular volunteering opportunities, these functions are typically one-off requests for event management assistance, space minders, directional guides, etc., including the 4th of July and significant anniversaries.

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The Security Division provides traditional security functions, such as safety, fire control, crowd control, and other similar functions. Here again, no particular experience is required. New volunteers receive training and must be at least 21 years of age for this division.

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Ship Restoration volunteers paint, finish, and bring back to life internal spaces of the ship. Most recently, this team restored the Officer’s Galley, the Cobbler Shop, and the Forward Gun Mount and guns. Work is ongoing in a machinery space at present. No specialized background is required, other than team spirit and readiness for hands-on work.

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Radio Division volunteers help restore and preserve Hornet electronic equipment, assist the Exhibits Department with immersive elements, and manage and participate in the USS Hornet Amateur Radio Club (NB6GC).

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Max Lim, a Collections & Exhibits and Ship Restoration Volunteer:

Volunteering on the USS Hornet has been an incredible experience. I’ve gained unique skills and training that I would never have gotten anywhere else and made friends that I am sure will last a lifetime.

When I started just over a year ago as a high school volunteer at the Hornet, I was expecting that I would mostly learn through watching others do the preservation work. But as soon as I stepped on this ship, I was beyond happy that I was able to do hands-on work almost immediately, due to mentoring by some of the most talented and kind people I’ve ever met.

At first, I volunteered for the Archival and Exhibitions department over the summer, where my first job was to archive and label photographic slides from the Apollo 11 recovery mission. This included incredible photos such as Neil Armstrong’s first steps on Earth after walking on the moon. I was also able to help to preserve and present the decontamination suits and personal mementos that had meant so much to former crew members. I loved contributing to the preservation of history, and helping share stories from the Hornet and its crew.

During the school year, I transitioned to restoration, as it allowed me to more easily volunteer during the weekends. After my first day, I knew that I’d found a really special place on the ship. Working with Jimmy and Billy in MUGS has been so rewarding. Being able to hang out with the two of them is something I look forward to every week. When I first joined, I was quite clueless on how to handle tools properly (and keep all my fingers!). But Billy and Jimmy were fantastic tutors and soon brought me up to speed. A day working with them could involve maintaining an engine of an airplane tug or forklift, learning to weld, and wiring a new workstation’s lighting. They taught me skills that I can use for the rest of my life. As they loved to say, “Max, you’re probably going to be the only kid in your class, or your school who knows how to weld.” I remember showing them my first weld on an actual job and being proud and happy to show them how much I had learnt from them.

In addition to the practical skills that I’ve learned on the Hornet, I’ve learned life lessons that helped me outside the Hornet. Jimmy and Billy’s fountain of great advice, tips to make life easier to manage, and support and encouragement helped me succeed at school this past year. John Davis was also an amazing mentor. His years of experience in the paint industry made me appreciate how much work was necessary to become an expert at something, and the value of lifelong learning. Rich Deaton and Bob DesMeules were also great sources of wisdom.

My time on the Hornet has been nothing short of amazing. Finishing high school and preparing to move away to college is a big transition in my life, and having the mentorship, role models and friendships on the Hornet gave me great perspectives and great advice. I would like to thank everyone in every division of the ship that made volunteering on the Hornet such a unique and valuable experience. The lessons I’ve learned here have made me a more capable and better person, and I couldn’t be prouder to say I volunteer on the USS Hornet. I cannot wait to see everyone again on the holidays!

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