Our Story
About An Army of Torches
A youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Mesa, Arizona, igniting a generation of principled leaders who carry the weight of duty, light the way through action, and pass the torch forward.
The Philosophy: Carry · Light · Pass
Our leadership framework is rooted in the foundational thesis of Weight of Duty. It maps the chronological journey every principled leader must take.
Kaitlin Murdock
Founder & Executive Director
The Founder's Story
A 17-Year-Old Cadet Who Refused to Wait
Kaitlin Murdock is the JROTC Battalion Commander, responsible for over 120 cadets, an NHS Community Service Manager, and a dual-enrollment student maintaining a 4.5 GPA. She has broken school records, led teams to state championships, and represented the United States in UN debate. Most recently, she was featured on the television talk show Abundant Future on NowMediaTV.
But she saw something that wouldn't wait. A generation of young Americans hungry for purpose, principles, and community—and a growing divide that no one was bridging. So she stepped up, shouldered the weight of duty, and founded An Army of Torches.
Her book, Weight of Duty, became the intellectual foundation of the movement—a thesis on why principled leadership is a chain reaction that starts with carrying responsibility before you feel ready, lighting the way through bold action, and passing that opportunity forward to others.
Arizona's Best Army Marcher & Regulation Team Commander
2026 Arizona Girls' State Alumni
2026 West Point Academy SLE Graduate
Author of Weight of Duty
The Spark That Ignited An Army
An Army of Torches didn't begin as an organization; it started as a simple speech.
In 2025, while writing for a scholarship program, I found myself diving into a reality that students and teachers face every single day: the extreme, toxic polarization in our public schools. We are living in an environment where the fear of being labeled, categorized, and forced onto “one side or the other” dictates how we interact. The ensuing bullying and admonishment for stepping out of line have silenced us.
The issue runs so deep that kids are afraid to stand up for the Pledge of Allegiance. But what truly struck home for me was witnessing students mocking and celebrating a recent political assassination. The realization was chilling: standing up to those kids, speaking the truth, and defending what was right would almost certainly result in physical harm and social suicide.
It became painfully clear that our generation needs to find its bravery. But as this vision expanded, the mission evolved. We realized that finding bravery isn't just about facing external opposition—it's about conquering internal hesitation. It means destroying the illusion that you must wait to start until the moment is perfect and the stars align.
Taking the step to lead and finally start working on your passions can be incredibly daunting. The truth is, leadership is rarely glamorous. It carries a profound weight—a weight of duty to yourself and your community. But when you find like-minded people who are navigating those same fears and carrying that same weight, the dynamic shifts. Powerlessness fades.
That is the torch I want to pass.
An Army of Torches is dedicated to crushing the polarization that has become a cancer in our society by empowering individuals through targeted, actionable pillars:
Leadership Training: We provide the skills necessary to stop waiting for perfection, equipping you to take that heavy, daunting first step toward leading and pursuing your passions.
Public Speaking: When a single person speaks out, they are a target. We teach you how to communicate effectively to a group, turning a solitary voice into a movement.
Community Service: This is the vehicle we use to spread our message, but it is also the universal key to finding purpose. Selfless giving of your time feeds the soul, knows no age or background, and brings a profound, guilt-free happiness.
Ember has grown into one of the most valued parts of what we do—so much so that it is now offered as a benefit of membership in the An Army of Torches community. Ember is about taking the fire you've built and directing it toward your future. It focuses on building your personal brand, mapping out your career path, crafting resumes, and building an image that authentically represents you—everything you need to confidently start down the road toward a career that works for you.
When a network of individuals learns to lead, communicate, and serve, they become more than just a group. They become an army. An Army of Torches, passing the message forward and empowering each other to stand up for the truth.