CY 2026 NAVY LEGISLATIVE FELLOWSHIP CALL FOR APPLICATIONS (O-3 to O-5) (E-7 to E-9)

[Tony]

CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED// 
ROUTINE 
R 101709Z OCT 24 MID120001454497U 
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC 
TO NAVADMIN 
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC 
BT 
UNCLAS 
 
NAVADMIN 213/24 
 
PASS TO OFFICE CODES: 
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N3N5N7// 
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N3N5N7// 
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N3N5N7/OCT// 
 
SUBJ/CALENDAR YEAR 2026 NAVY LEGISLATIVE FELLOWSHIP CALL FOR APPLICATIONS// 
 
REF/A/DOC/BUPERS/12DEC17// 
REF/B/DOC/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC/12OCT16// 
 
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. 
 
2.  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). 
 
3.  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 
2025. 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. 
 
4.  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 
 
5.  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. 
 
6.  Program information and submission guidance are available at: 
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Portals/55/Reference/Instructions/BUPERS/BUPERSINST%201560.21.pdf?ver=Ub1RHu4mGo5hyhXuojNzZw%3d%3d 
OR 
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Career-Management/Detailing/Officer/Education-Placement/Navy-Legislative-Fellowship/ 
 
7.  This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled, 
whichever occurs first. 
 
8.  Released by VADM D. W. Dwyer, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations 
for Operations, Plans, Strategy, and Warfighting Development (N3/N5/N7).// 
 
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CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED//