Operation Warfighter

Overview

Operation Warfigher alumnus Staff Sgt. William Castillo hugs his daughter following his Purple Heart ceremony.

“[Operation Warfighter gave me hope. It was really motivational to know that I could get a job, continue to live my life and provide for my family. Otherwise, I don’t really know what I would be doing today.” — Staff Sgt. William Castillo (Ret.), Operation Warfighter alumnus

Operation Warfighter (OWF) is a Federal internship program for recovering Service members. The main objective of OWF is to place Service members in supportive work settings that positively impact their recovery.  The program represents an opportunity to facilitate recovering Service members’ development and employment readiness by providing assistance with resume building, exploring employment interests, and developing job skills through internship opportunities.   

In order to participate, recovering Service members must obtain “medical and command approval” from their Recovery Team and chain of command. OWF Regional Coordinators then assist recovering Service members in identifying an internship opportunity based on their interests and capabilities.

 Highlights 

  • Operation Warfighter strives to demonstrate to participants that the skills they have obtained in the military are transferable into civilian employment.  For recovering Service members returning to duty, the program enables these participants to maintain active skill sets and provides the opportunity for additional training and experience that can subsequently benefit the military.
  • Operation Warfighter enables Federal employers to better familiarize themselves with the skill sets and challenges of recovering Service members as well as benefit from the considerable talent and dedication of these individuals.

 Facts and Figures

  • Operation Warfighter has placed more than 2500 Service members in internships with more than 105 different Federal agencies and sub-components.
  • Currently, there are 525 OWF placements across 25 different Military Treatment Facilities and Wounded Warrior Programs.

To find an internship, or to make one available to recovering Service members, please contact PR-OperationWarFighter[at]osd.mil.

  Operation Warfighter

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