Program Summary
Headquarters United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) offers volunteer opportunities to students enrolled in an accredited trade school, college or university. While general public law prohibits the Federal government from accepting volunteer service in most situations, prohibiting unpaid service to the Federal government or to provide service with the understanding that pay is waived, Title 5 U.S. Code § 3111: “Acceptance of Volunteer Service”, allows the ‘employment’ of students to further their educational goals while gain experience in their field of study.
Student volunteers are exposed to and learn about the Department of Defense work environment. It is a culture which promotes high standards of personal and organizational integrity, honesty, and respect for all people. This program is further enriched with the following benefits:
-
Professional career exploration early in your academic studies
-
Collaboration with diverse military and civilian communities
-
Academic credit for research and practicum requirements
-
Department of Defense SECRET clearance for qualified candidates
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for consideration in this program, you must meet all six criteria*:
-
Students must be a U.S. Citizen with North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) status.
-
Students must be high school graduates, at least 18 years of age.
-
Student must be currently enrolled, at least half-time, in any accredited undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral educational institution degree program.
-
Students must obtain and maintain a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
-
Students MUST be available to work a minimum of six (6) continuous weeks in the program (work schedules vary).
-
Students must be able to successfully complete a background security investigation leading to a security clearance.
*Preference will be given to those students that already possess a valid and current SECRET or higher personnel clearance.
Once placed in the program, students may extend their volunteer tenure as long as they: 1) meet program eligibility requirements and 2) obtain leadership approval. Participants in AVIP must end their internship at the time of graduation or upon withdrawal from the program.
How To Apply
The Volunteer Internship Program is a continuous, annual program. There are no specific deadlines for submitting applications; however, we recommend you apply at least three (3) months prior to your desired internship start date. In all instances, your resume is kept on file for six (6) months. If the applicant has not been contacted within that timeframe, they must reapply with an updated cover letter and resume.
All applicants are required to submit the following documents prior to consideration for an AVIP objective interview:
-
A current resume (no special format required). Please include your expected graduation date.
-
A cover letter identifying yourself as an applicant for the Volunteer Student Intern Program. The letter should also contain your career area of interest and the timeframe(s)/dates you are able to intern.
-
Unofficial transcripts clearly showing your grades/GPA.
-
Photocopy of your passport photo and signature page
-
Photocopy of your SOFA stamp or card
In order to protect your Personally Identifiable Information (PII), you will need to submit the applications forms through the SAFE website: https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/SAFE. The web site is a secured server that will provide an extra firewall of protection. The SAFE website will ask for an email address for the recipient. Please be sure to send all of the documents through the SAFE website to: africom.stuttgart.acj95.mbx.avip@mail.mil.
The AVIP Team will NOT accept any applications containing PII sent from person email addresses. This organizational e-mail account is monitored by the AVIP Team and is your primary method of corresponding with HQ USAFRICOM. E-mails sent to the personal accounts of AFRICOM personnel may not be read as they are outside the AVIP administrative process.
Please merge all documents into ONE (1) Adobe PDF when applying. You should name your file with your last and first name (i.e. Smith, Jane.pdf).
No hard copy submissions will be accepted.
It should be noted that, under Title 5 U.S. Code § 3111, a student volunteer is not a Federal employee for any purposes other than injury compensation and law related to the Tort Claims Act. Student participation in the program is on a voluntary basis, and there is no remuneration or other employee benefits provided. HQ USAFRICOM does not provide housing assistance or support. Volunteer service is not credible for leave or any other employee benefits or monetary compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement)?
The international agreement that gives legal status to Americans stationed in Germany. This includes all dependent spouses and adult children, under the age of 23, of Department of Defense, Armed Forces, Appropriated Funds (AF), Non Appropriated Funds (NAF), Morale, Welfare, & Recreation (MWR) and Interagency personnel.
Are interns issued a Common Access Card (CAC)?
Yes, interns are issued a logical CAC.
Can unsalaried interns go on official travel?
No, since volunteer students do not receive reimbursement of any kind, they are not authorized payment for official travel.
Are unsalaried interns eligible for housing, transportation, or per diem benefits?
No. There are no employee benefits connected with the appointment.
Can the unsalaried intern appointment be extended past original date?
Yes. Coordinate extensions with the AFRICOM Academic Outreach office and immediate supervisors with the new exit date.
Will I require a student VISA?
No. Currently AFRICOM is not accepting non-SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) Title 5 USC 3111 candidates.
Are interns subject to drug testing?
Yes. Interns are subject to drug testing as part of the application process and at any time throughout their appointment. Failure to comply with drug testing is grounds for removal from the program.
What if I need to leave early due to extenuating circumstances?
Extenuating circumstances are exactly that, extenuating. Each situation will be handled appropriately within the context of the circumstance and adjudicated by the Director of the AFRICOM J9. In any case the intern’s academic institution will be notified.
Are interns eligible for the AFRICOM Sponsorship Programs?
Yes. Interns may be assigned a sponsor in accordance with the assigned directorate's sponsor program.
Can AFRICOM recommend any places to stay while I'm in Stuttgart?
No. It is assumed that since all candidates have sponsors under the provisions of the Title 5 SOFA agreement. AFRICOM is prohibited from endorsing any for-profit lodging establishment.
Will I have access to the base facilities such as the commissary, AAFES exchanges/ Shoppettes/ express/ gas stations?
No. Only DoD ID cardholders and their command sponsored dependents are allowed to utilize these facilities. (This does not apply to the fast-food courts, libraries, gymnasiums or other common use facilities which do not require a DoD ID card for purchases under the reduced tax provisions of the Status of Forces Agreement.)
Points of Contact and Useful Websites
EUCOM Volunteer Internship Program
Stuttgart Volunteer Internship Program Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/AFRICOM
https://twitter.com/USAfricaCommand
HQ USAFRICOM VIP Team
africom.stuttgart.acj95.mbx.avip@mail.mil
DSN 314 421-3184
COMM +49-(0)711-729-3184