The Marine Corps Congressional Fellowship Program offers participants the opportunity to work in the legislative branch of the federal government for one session of Congress. Eligible candidates include Marine Officers (Active and Reserve components), SNCOs, and Civilian Marines. The program consists of three components: (1) training and education through the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, (2) work on Capitol Hill in the personal office of a Senator or Member of Congress, and (3) a two-year utilization tour immediately upon completion of the fellowship. Per federal law (10 USC 2603), each applicant who is accepted for the Congressional Fellowship Program must agree in writing to serve an additional period of active duty.
Points of Contact
Officers: LtCol Keith Kopets (keith.kopets@usmc.mil) or Captain John Schippert (john.schippert@usmc.mil) at (703) 614-1686/1687
SNCOs: MGySgt Julius D. Spain Sr. (julius.spain@usmc.mil) at (703) 614-1686/1687
Civilian Marines: Ms. Patricia Williams at Marine Corps University (patricia.williams1@usmc.mil) at (703) 784-2788.
Message Traffic
MarAdmin 519-10, CY12 AC and RC Officer CFP Selection Board
MarAdmin 488-11, FY12 Commandant's Career-Level Education Board (CCLEB)
MarAdmin 572-11, CY13 CFP AR Officer and AC SNCO Selection Board
MarAdmin 316-12, CY13 Wounded Warrior CFP Selection Board.pdf
MarAdmin 352-12, FY13 Commandant's Career-Level Education Board
MarAdmin 421-12, FY13 Commandant's Professional Intermediate-Level Education Board (CPIB)
MarAdmin 496-12, CY13 Wounded Warrior CFP Selection Board Results
MarAdmin 554-12, CY2014 CFP for SNCOs and AR Officers
MarAdmin 566-12, FY13 CCLEB Selection Board Results
Applying for the Congressional Fellowship Program
SNCO Sample Application
Officer CFP Application (Example)
The results of the Commandant's Career Level Education Board (CCLEB) are public. See MarAdmin 566/12. If you are a selectee and you are are still interested in the Congressional Fellowship Program, pay careful attention to paragraphs 7.e, 9, and 10.c of MarAdmin 566/12. OLA will not screen CFP applicants until MMOA completes its slating panel in December.
!!!COMING SOON!!! "Applying for the Congressional Fellowship Program--what you need to know"
Briefs
SNCO Fellowship Brief 2012
Articles, Publications, and Reports
"The Congressional Marines are Formed" (Marine Corps Gazette, Nov 1999)
"Enlisted Marines Take the Hill" (Leatherneck Magazine, February 2010)
"Legislative Affairs--What OLA does for the Marine Corps" (Marine Corps Gazette, Feb 2007)
"The Marine Corps Congressional Fellowship Program" (Marine Corps Gazette, June 2009)
"Marines, Meet Your Congress" (Marine Corps Gazette, July 2012)
"GAO Report on Oversight of Fellowships" (GAO-12-367, April 2012)
Regulations
MCO 1500.41A W CH 1, Marine Corps Scholarship Program.pdf
DoD Directive 1322.6, Fellowships for DoD Personnel
DoD Instruction 1322.06, Fellowships for DoD Personnel
Links
Pentagon Newcomers Guide
Washington DC Mass Transit
Government Affairs Institute (GAI) at Georgetown
2012 GAI Catalogue
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Important Dates
- 2012 December: Applications for CY14 Congressional Fellowship Program due
- 2013 January: Selection Board meets
- 2013 February: Selection Board adjournes
- 2013 October: CY14 Congressional Fellowship Program training begins
- 2014 January: CY14 Fellowship begins in Congress