FY12 Army Congressional Fellowship Program
Due Date: 2 August 2010
1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: THE ARMY CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM EDUCATES SELECTED ARMY OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ARMY AND THE CONGRESS. IT IS A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM WHICH INCLUDES PURSUIT OF A MASTER’S DEGREE IN LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, SERVICE ON THE STAFF OF A MEMBER OF CONGRESS, AND UTILIZATION ON THE ARMY OR JOINT STAFF IN A LEGISLATIVE LIAISON DUTY
POSITION. THE PROGRAM SEEKS ACTIVE, RESERVE, AND NATIONAL GUARD OFFICERS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED OUTSTANDING PROMOTION POTENTIAL, HAVE RECENT EXPERIENCE IN OIF AND OEF, AND HAVE RECENTLY COMPLETED SUCCESSFUL COMPANY/BATTERY/TROOP COMMAND OR EQUIVALENT KEY DEVELOPMENTAL (KD) DUTIES. IT IS ALSO OPEN TO OUTSTANDING DA CIVILIANS WHO WILL WORK IN A LEGISLATIVE LIAISON DUTY POSITION IN THEIR PARENT ORGANIZATION. SELECTED SERVICE MEMBERS AND CIVILIANS BEGIN THE FELLOWSHIP IN MAY 2011 BY PARTICIPATING IN A HQDA ORIENTATION PROGRAM (MAY TO DEC 2011). FELLOWS ARE TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED TO THE ARMY SECRETARIAT IN SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS FUNCTION. THE ORIENTATION PROGRAM EDUCATES FELLOWS ON HQDA OPERATIONS AND THE ARMY’S POSITION ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES. ALL FELLOWS PARTICIPATE IN THE ORIENTATION, WHICH INCLUDES A VARIETY OF MEETINGS, SEMINARS, EDUCATIONAL READINGS, AND
ATTENDANCE AT A ONE WEEK FORCE INTEGRATION COURSE. THIS ORIENTATION IS AIMED AT EDUCATING THE FELLOW ON HOW HQDA AND OTHER DOD AGENCIES OPERATE. MASTERS’ DEGREE IN LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS – THE ACADEMIC PORTION OF THE FELLOWSHIP BEGINS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH ORIENTATION IN MAY 2011 WITH AN INTENSIVE SUMMER PROGRAM OF STUDY. THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (GWU) MASTERS’ IN LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS PROGRAM IS A RIGOROUS ELEVEN COURSE, ONE-OF-A-KIND IN THE NATION, CURRICULUM THAT EXPOSES STUDENTS TO ALL ASPECTS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL EXPERIENCE. TWO THIRDS OF THE PROGRAM’S CURRENT STUDENTS ARE CONGRESSIONAL STAFF, OFFERING ARMY FELLOWS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH STAFFERS THEY’LL BE WORKING WITH ON CAPITOL HILL AND DURING FOLLOW-ON ASSIGNMENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE LIAISON ARENA. FELLOWS PURSUE CORE COURSE STUDY, AS WELL AS TAKE NATIONAL SECURITY PROCESS ANDPOLICY COURSES, IN THE SUMMER AND FALL 2011 SESSIONS. FELLOWS TAKE ELECTIVE COURSES IN AREAS OF THEIR CHOOSING, PURSUE INDEPENDENT STUDY OPPORTUNITIES AND COMPLETE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMS DURING THE PROCEEDING SPRING AND SUMMER 2012 SESSIONS, WITH THE GOAL OF EARNING THE MASTERS’ DEGREE IN LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS BY THE END OF SUMMER 2012. MOST COURSES ARE ONLY OFFERED AT NIGHT. CAPITOL HILL EXPERIENCE – IN JANUARY 2012, FELLOWS BEGIN THEIR EXPERIENCE ON CAPITOL HILL BY SERVING ON THE STAFF OF A MEMBER OF CONGRESS. FELLOWS ARE TYPICALLY GIVEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR DRAFTING LEGISLATION,
ARRANGING CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS, WRITING SPEECHES AND FLOOR STATEMENTS, AND BRIEFING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR COMMITTEE DELIBERATIONS AND FLOOR DEBATE. THE CAPITOL HILL EXPERIENCE ENDS AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE 2ND SESSION, 112TH CONGRESS (APPROXIMATELY DEC 2012).
2. SELECTION PROCESS: PHASE I: THE U.S. ARMY HUMAN RESOURCES COMMAND (HRC) WILL CONDUCT A SELECTION BOARD ON 13 OCTOBER 2010 TO SELECT AND FORWARD TO OFFICE OF THE CHIEF, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON (OCLL) AN UNDETERMINED NUMBER OF CANDIDATES FOR THEIR INTERNAL SELECTION BOARD. PHASE II: OCLL WILL CONDUCT AN INTERNAL SELECTION BOARD TO SELECT AND FORWARD TO THE PRINCIPAL DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS (PDUSD (PR)) THE NAMES OF APPROXIMATELY TWENTY-THREE CANDIDATES AS FY2012 ARMY CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWS. THE PDUSD (PR) IS THE FINAL APPROVAL AUTHORITY FOR ALL FELLOW SELECTIONS. ALL PACKETS WILL BE SCREENED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY TO ENSURE ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY BEFORE ANY RESULTS ARE RELEASED. CANDIDATES WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE RESULTS FROM THE HRC SELECTION BOARD IN NOVEMBER 2010 AND THE FINAL RESULTS IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 TIMEFRAME.
3. SCHOLARSHIP TENURE/LOCATION: ACTIVE COMPONENT FELLOWS WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ARMY STUDENT DETACHMENT, FORT JACKSON, SC AND ATTACHED TO OCLL; ARMY NATIONAL GUARD FELLOWS ARE ASSIGNED TO THE NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU; DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CIVILIAN FELLOWS WILL REMAIN ASSIGNED TO THEIR CURRENT COMMAND AND ATTACHED TO OCLL; AND THE ARMY RESERVE/ACTIVE GUARD RESERVE FELLOWS ARE ASSIGNED TO THE OFFICE, CHIEF ARMY RESERVE, STUDENT DETACHMENT. FELLOWSHIP BEGINS MAY 2011 AND COMPLETES DECEMBER 2012.
4. OBLIGATIONS INCURRED: IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FELLOWSHIP, OFFICERS ARE ASSIGNED TO A POSITION IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA REQUIRING IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THE OPERATIONS OF CONGRESS FOR A TWO-YEAR UTILIZATION. THESE ARE CHALLENGING ASSIGNMENTS IN WHICH OFFICERS REPRESENT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY WITH THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. OFFICERS TYPICALLY SERVE AS PRINCIPAL LIAISON FOR PORTFOLIOS VALUED IN THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, AS WELL AS
BECOME EXPERTS ON A WIDE RANGE OF ARMY POLICY ISSUES. OFFICERS GATHER INFORMATION, PREPARE STRATEGIES, ORGANIZE BRIEFINGS AND ARRANGE WORLD-WIDE CONGRESSIONAL FACT FINDING TRAVEL AIMED AT EDUCATING MEMBERS AND STAFF ON ARMY PROGRAMS. ALL SERVICE MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM INCUR TWO SEPARATE ACTIVE DUTY SERVICEOBLIGATIONS (ADSOS) IN THE U.S. ARMY. ADSOS WILL BE THREE TIMES THE LENGTH OF THE PERIOD, COMPUTED IN DAYS, SERVED IN THIS PROGRAM. ONE ADSO WILL BE FROM PURSING A GRADUATE DEGREE AND THE SECOND ADSO WILL BE FROM PARTICIPATING IN
THE CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. BOTH ADSOS WILL BE SERVED CONCURRENTLY, APPROXIMATELY A FOUR YEAR ADSO. CIVILIAN FELLOWS ALSO INCUR A SERVICE OBLIGATION (IAW TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 410.309 AND SECTION 4108).
5. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
A. ACTIVE COMPONENT (AC) OFFICERS MUST BE FROM YEAR GROUPS 2000 THROUGH 2005; USAR/AGR OFFICERS MUST HAVE A BASIC ACTIVE SERVICE DATE OF 1 SEPTEMBER 1996 OR LATER, AND MUST HAVE A MANDATORY REMOVAL DATE OF 1 SEPTEMBER 2019 OR LATER.
B. MAJORS MUST NOT HAVE NOT MORE THAN FOUR YEARS TIME IN GRADE AS OF SEPTEMBER 2010.
C. ARNG CANDIDATES MUST HOLD THE RANK OF CAPTAIN OR MAJOR. DAC CANDIDATES MUST HOLD THE GRADE GS-12 THROUGH GS-15 OR ITS NSPS EQUIVALENT.
D. DAC CANDIDATES MUST HAVE CAREER TENURE, AT LEAST THREE YEARS OF CONSECUTIVE SERVICE INTHE COMPETITIVE SERVICE AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION.
E. USAR/AGR OFFICERS MUST BE SERVING IN THE SELECTED RESERVE (TPU, AGR, IMA); ARNG MUST FALL UNDER TITLE 10 AND TITLE 32.
F. USAR/AGR/ARNG CAPTAINS MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE CAPTAIN’S CAREER COURSE AND MAJORS MUST HAVE COMPLETED ILE BY MAY 2011.
G. MUST HAVE EXTRAORDINARY POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE ARMY SERVICE.
H. MUST HAVE THE INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND ABILITY TO INTERACT AND FORM RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDIVIDUALS WITH DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.
I. MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE FULL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM WITHOUT INTERRUPTION.
J. SERVICE MEMBER MUST BE ABLE TO SERVE/COMPLETE A TWO YEAR UTILIZATION ASSIGNMENT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FELLOWSHIP. DAC CANDIDATES MUST HAVE A POST FELLOWSHIP ASSIGNMENT THAT IS RELATED TO CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS.
K. MUST BE ABLE TO BEGIN FELLOWSHIP ON OR ABOUT 01 MAY 2011.
L. MUST HAVE NO ADVERSE ACTIONS PENDING.
M. SERVICE MEMBERS MUST MEET ARMY HEIGHT AND WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS.
N. SERVICE MEMBERS MUST HAVE RECENT DEPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE AS PART OF OIF OR OEF.
O. MUST HAVE DEMONSTRATED AND SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE OF THE “WARRIOR ETHOS”.
P. MUST NOT BE COMPETING FOR ANY OTHER ARMY-SPONSORED PROGRAM, FELLOWSHIP, OR SCHOLARSHIP.
Q. ACTIVE COMPONENT CANDIDATES MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE “KEY DEVELOPMENTAL” ASSIGNMENT OFFICER EVALUATION REPORT (OER) FOR CURRENT GRADE AT TIME OF APPLICATION.
6. HOW TO APPLY:
A. ACTIVE COMPONENT (AC) OFFICERS MUST EMAIL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS LISTED AT PARAGRAPH SEVEN TO NONMELAPPS@CONUS.ARMY.MIL, NOT LATER THAN 02 AUGUST 2010 (ORIGINALS TO BE MAILED AT A LATER DATE). TITLE SUBJECT OF EMAIL “ARMY CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION”. YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE REVIEWED BY YOUR ASSIGNMENT OFFICER AND LEADER DEVELOPMENT DIVISION, ADVANCED EDUCATION PROGRAMS BRANCH FOR ELIGIBILITY. YOU WILL RECEIVE A DECISION ON YOUR REQUEST VIA EMAIL.
B. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (ARNG) OFFICERS SHOULD FORWARD THE DOCUMENTS LISTED AT PARAGRAPH SEVEN TO MS. LINDA CONLIN AT LINDA.CONLIN@US.ARMY.MIL, NOT LATER
THAN 02 AUGUST 2010.
C. ARMY RESERVES/ACTIVE GUARD RESERVES (USAR/AGR) OFFICERS PLEASE FORWARD THE DOCUMENTS LISTED AT PARAGRAPH SEVEN TO YOUR CAREER MANAGER AT THE ACTIVE RESERVE ACTIVE DUTY MANAGEMENT DIRECTORATE (ARADMD), NOT LATER THAN 02 AUGUST 2010. YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT LTC GARY KAYSER AT 703-601-0851, GARY.KAYSER@US.ARMY.MIL; OR MSG JACQUELINE MOORE AT 703-601-0681, JACQUELINE.MOORE1@OCAR.ARMY.PENTAGON.MIL. YOU CAN ALSO GO TO WEBSITE HTTP://
WWW.HRC.ARMY.MIL/SITE/RESERVE/SOLDIERSERVICES/PB/CONGRESSIONALFELLOWSHIP.HTM FOR INFORMATION.
D. DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY CIVILIAN (DAC) CANDIDATES PLEASE FORWARD THE DOCUMENTS LISTED AT PARAGRAPH SEVEN THROUGH YOUR RESPECTIVE MACOM OR INDEPENDENT REPORTING ACTIVITY CHAIN OF COMMAND TO MS. LEE CARVER, G-3/5/7 CPD SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, SENIOR LEADER DEVELOPMENT DIVISION, 450 ARMY PENTAGON, DAMO-TRV, ROOM 2D623, WASHINGTON, DC 20310, NOT LATER THAN 02 AUGUST 2010. MS. CARVER CAN BE REACHED AT TELEPHONE 703-614-9799 OR EMAIL ADDRESS LEE.CARVER@US.ARMY.MIL.
7. APPLICATION PACKET:
A. SELECTION BOARD PACKETS WILL CONSIST OF ONLY THE FOLLOWING:
(1) MEMORANDUM FOR NGB/HR OF DIRECTOR'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. THIS STATEMENT MUST SAY "I CONCUR WITH ___________'S DECISION TO APPLY FOR THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM, ARLINGTON, VA. I AGREE TO RELEASE HIM/HER FOR HIS/HER CURRENT ASSIGNMENT IN THE EVENT HE/SHE IS SELECTED." THIS STATEMENT MUST BE SIGNED BY THE CURRENT DIRECTOR OF APPLICANT'S DIVISION. (2) (2)(2) (2) STATEMENT OF PURPOSE EXPLAINING REASON(S) YOU ARE APPLYING FOR THIS PROGRAM. (TYPED; NOT MORE THAN ONE PAGE IN LENGTH, COURIER NEW, TEN PITCH FONT. TITLE STATEMENT “WHY I AM APPLYING FOR AN ARMY CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP”. PLACE NAME UNDER TITLE OF STATEMENT). (ALL)
(3) CIVILIAN RESUME WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION, IN-ORDER:
NAME; CURRENT GRADE; MAILING ADDRESS/PHONE NUMBER/EMAIL ADDRESS; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF WORK EXPERIENCE, WITH DATES (DON’T GO BACK MORE THAN FIVE JOBS); EDUCATION (DEGREE, DISCIPLINE, DATES, AND NAME OF INSTITUTION); BRIEF ACCOUNTING OF LANGUAGES, SPECIAL SKILLS, AND INTERESTS. (ALL)
(4) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (MINIMUM OF ONE, MAXIMUM OF FIVE). (ALL)
(5) ALL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS (MUST BE ORIGINAL AND READABLE). (ALL)
(6) LAST THREE EVALUATIONS (MILITARY: DA FORM 67-9; CIVILIANS: DA FORM 7222 AND 7222-1 OR DD FORM 2906 ONLY). COPIES MUST BE READABLE. (ALL)
(7) OFFICIAL CURRENT MILITARY COLOR-PHOTO (MILITARY).
(8) CURRENT OFFICER RECORD BRIEF (ORB)/BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD BRIEF (BRB). (MILITARY)
(9) LETTER FROM CANDIDATE’S CURRENT COMMAND INDICATING POSITION THEIR NOMINEE WILL BE ASSIGNED TO, IF SELECTED AS A CONGRESSIONAL FELLOW. POSITION MUST BE RELATED TO CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS. INCLUDE PARAGRAPH/LINE NUMBER; POSITION TITLE; AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF POSITION (CIVILIANS).
B. MILITARY CANDIDATES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THEIR OFFICIAL MILITARY PHOTO AND OFFICER RECORD BRIEF (ORB) IS UP-TO-DATE.
C. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE TO REVIEW YOUR ENTIRE PACKET BEFORE SUBMITTING IT FOR CONSIDERATION. ONCE SUBMITTED, ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS OR EXCHANGE OF DOCUMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
8. TIMELINE:
- 2 AUGUST 2010 – APPLICATION DEADLINE.
- 13 OCTOBER 2010 – SELECTION BOARD CONVENES.
- NOVEMBER 2010 – GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ADMISSION REVIEW. PHASE I SELECTEES ANNOUNCED.
- JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2011 – FELLOWS ANNOUNCED.
- 2 MAY 2011 – FELLOWS REPORT TO WASHINGTON, DC.
- 17 MAY 2011 BEGIN COURSEWORK AT GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY.
- JANUARY 2012 – FELLOWS ARE ASSIGNED TO A CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE.
- DECEMBER 2012 – FELLOWSHIP COMPLETES AND SERVICE MEMBERS BEGIN MANDATORY TWO YEAR UTILIZATION ASSIGNMENT.
9. CONCLUSION:
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM IS THREE FOLD: (1) PROVIDE OUTSTANDING OFFICERS WITH STRONG PROMOTION POTENTIAL AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE ARMY AND CONGRESS; (2) EXPOSE AS MANY CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS AND STAFF TO THE OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF ARMY OFFICERS AND HELP THEM LEARN ABOUT THE ARMY AS AN INSTITUTION THROUGH CONTACT WITH ARMY FELLOWS WORKING IN THEIR OFFICE; AND
(3) DEVELOP A POOL OF OFFICERS FROM WHICH SOME MAY BE SELECTED FOR FUTURE UTILIZATION IN THE FIELD ON CONGRESSIONAL LIAISON. OFFICERS LOOKING FOR A FAST PACED, EXCITING, AND BROADENING OPPORTUNITY ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR THE ARMY CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. COMMANDERS AND SUPERVISORS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT THEIR BEST CANDIDATES FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS OPPORTUNITY.
Air Force Legislative Liaison Fellowship Selection Guidance
The Legislative Fellowship program provides qualified Stat Tour promotable Captains and Majors who possess proven leadership potential with an intense exposure to the processes, procedures, and culture of the United States Congress. The program allows participants to develop an enhanced perspective of the legislative process on a wide range of issues, while at the same time providing Congress with on-site experience to lend Air Force and defense expertise at the staff level. In the Air Force Legislative Fellowship (AFLF) program participants work for one year on the personal staff or committee of a Member of Congress. Specific assignments are determined through an interview process between the fellow and Congressional office with the final decision residing with the Air Force.
Those officers desiring to take part in the Air Force Congressional Fellowship should pay close attention to the guidelines for the Officer Development Plan (ODP) process. The Force Development Teams will review the ODPs in determining which officers will be invited to apply for the Air Force Congressional Fellowship.
For information on the duties and responsibilities of a Congressional Fellow please contact Ms. Linda Conlin at linda.conlin@ng.army.mil or (703) 607-5477.
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