Congress « Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog

NARR/Ref A is BUPERSINST 1560.21F, Legislative Fellows Program.
Ref B is DODINST 1322.06, Fellowships, Legislative Fellowships, Internships,
Scholarships, Training-With-Industry (TWI), and Grants Provided to DoD or DoD
Personnel for Education and Training.//

Rmks/1. This NAVADMIN solicits applications for the 2026 Navy
Legislative Fellows Program. The Legislative Fellows Program allows
naval officers (O-3 to O-5), senior enlisted (E-7 to E-9), and
Department of the Navy civilian employees (GM/GS-13 and above or
equivalent)to broaden their understanding of the legislative process
and the operation of the U.S. Congress through a year-long, full-
time assignment to the office of a member of the House of
Representatives or the Senate. The Legislative Fellows Program also
enhances the ability of the Navy to fulfill its role in the national
policy development process. Typical responsibilities of a fellow
include drafting legislation, hearing preparation, analysis of
public policy, and serving as a congressional liaison to
constituents and industry.

To succeed in this highly competitive program, applicants should
have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, display
mature and critical thinking, and show a proven ability to work
in a dynamic environment. Records should reflect sustained superior
performance and potential for future assignments in critical
billets. Upon completion of the program, officers earn the
Legislative Fellowship Additional Qualification Designation (AQD 234).
Military Applicants. The program is available to both Officers
and Enlisted.
a. Officer Applicants. Participation is open to all Active Duty
and Training and Administration of the Reserve (TAR) unrestricted
line, restricted line, and staff corps officers in the permanent
grades of O-3 through O-5. The selection process will focus on
individual performance, promotion potential, academic and
subspecialty qualifications, needs of the Navy, and availability
for follow-on assignment. Officers with permanent change of station
orders already issued will not be considered. All officer applicants
must contact their detailers for counseling on the career impact of
participation in the Legislative Fellowship Program. Officers should
plan for an immediate follow-on utilization tour or assignment upon
completion of the fellowship, in line with Ref (a).
b. Enlisted Applicants. Participation is open to all Active Duty
Navy ratings in the permanent grades of E-7 through E-9. The
selection process will focus on individual performance, promotion
potential, academic and additional qualifications, needs of the
Navy,and projected rotation date. Sailors with permanent change of
station orders already issued will not be considered. Following the
fellowship, Sailors will be assigned to a single 24-month
utilization tour supporting a role determined by the Office of
Legislative Affairs (OLA).
c. All military applicants must be available for permanent
change of station assignment to the Washington, DC, area in November
Following orientation at OLA, fellows will begin a 12-month
assignment in January 2026 in a Congressional office. In accordance
with reference (b), upon execution of orders, fellows must agree in
writing to serve on active duty following completion or termination
of the fellowship for a period of three times the duration of the
fellowship.
d. In addition to the application requirements listed in
reference(a), applicants are requested to submit the last three
years of Officer Fitness Reports or Enlisted Evaluations as part of
their package.
e. In accordance with reference (a), applicants must submit a
writing sample in information paper format. The writing sample must
be on an unclassified topic of the member?s choice and must not
exceed one page.
f. Military applicants shall submit applications via e-mail to
The OLA point of contact no later than 15 December 2024.
g. Points of contact are:
(1) CAPT Katherine Noel, Navy Legislative Fellows Program
Manager, (703) 697-2885 or katherine.e.noel.mil(at)us.navy.mil
(2) MCPO Kristina Koch, Navy Legislative Fellows Program
Assistant Manager, (703) 571-1940 or kristina.l.koch2.mil(at)us.navy.mil
(3) PERS: LCDR Michael Watrol, Navy Fellowships and Out-
Service Education Placement Branch Head, PERS 443,
michael.p.watrol.mil@us.navy.mil
(4) GENERAL: Questions on other Navy fellowship programs
should be directed to OPNAV N712 Fellowship and Scholarship Programs
Deputy Branch Head: Ms. Jennifer Rigdon Teter; Comm (703)692-1934;
E-mail: Jennifer.c.rigdonteter.civ@us.navy.mil.
Civilian Applicants. The program is available to senior civilian
Employees (GM/GS-13 and above or equivalent).
a. For the duration of the fellowship, civilian fellows will
remain under administrative control of their respective parent
command. Training and travel costs incurred as part of the
fellowship shall be paid by the parent command.
b. Civilian employees interested in the Legislative Fellowship
Program must contact their local civilian training officer for
information on submission of applications for the 2026 program.
Notably, civilian participation in the Fellowship Program differs
from military requirements in that civilian selectees do not
participate in a rotational assignment post-Fellowship and will
return to their command and position. Civilian selectees must be
able to report for the role in November 2025 for orientation at
OLA followed by 12-month placement in a Congressional office
(January 2026 – December 2026).
c. Questions concerning Department of the Navy civilian
participation should be directed to Ms. Germaine Harris-Hardy;
E-mail: germaine.l.harris-hardy.civ(at)us.navy.mil. Additional
information is available at:
https://portal.secnav.navy.mil/orgs/MRA/DONHR/Training/Pages/Developmental-
Programs.aspx
Following administrative screening of packages submitted by the
deadline, OLA will notify applicants of selection for interview or
non-selection status. OLA makes the final determination of applicant
selection or non-selection to the fellowship program.
Program information and submission guidance are available at:
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Reference/Instructions/BUPERS/BUPERS
INST%201560.21.pdf?ver=Ub1RHu4mGo5hyhXuojNzZw%3d%3d
OR
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Detailing/Officer/Education-
Placement/Navy-Legislative-Fellowship/
This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled,
whichever occurs first.
Released by VADM D. W. Dwyer, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations
for Operations, Plans, Strategy, and Warfighting Development (N3/N5/N7).//