Speak Out for Military Kids (SOMK) is an educational program designed to raise the awareness of issues facing military families. Through youth-led simulations, interviews, and research participants find out first hand what military families go through.

Based on their experiences, SOMK participants become members of speakers’ bureaus and develop lectures, public service announcements, videos, and other materials to share their experiences with others in the community. 

In addition to building public awareness about issues facing military families during mobilization and deployment, SOMK provides its youth participants with the opportunity to gain valuable leadership, research, organization, technology, and public speaking skills.

For more information on how youth in your community can get involved
contact Chris Gleason at cgleason@iastate.edu.