According to rankings posted Dec. 15, Montana ranked No. 7 in the U.S. as a source of Peace Corps volunteers in 2014, with 4.1 volunteers currently serving worldwide per 100,000 residents.

This is the second year that Montana has held the No. 7 spot. A total of 1,389 Peace Corps volunteers from Montana have traveled abroad to serve their country since the Peace Corps was established in 1961.

“Peace Corps volunteers promote a better understanding of Americans around the world by sharing their unique hometown perspective during their service,” Peace Corps director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “As we forge a modern Peace Corps for modern times, we remain committed to building a volunteer force that reflects the rich diversity of our country, and doing more to recruit and retain the best and brightest across the country.”

The Peace Corps has eight regional recruitment offices across the United States that work closely with prospective Peace Corps volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to ensure that all Americans who want to serve have the opportunity to do so.

Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, nearly 220,000 Americans of all ages have served in 140 countries worldwide. For more information, visit online at www.peacecorps.gov.