Chapter 3 (cont.)    SECTION II
Opportunities Open to All Career Programs

Army Congressional Fellowship Program (ACFP)

Army Civilian employees at the GS-11 through GS-14 level who have career status and are serving in permanent competitive appointments; Schedule A, Excepted appointments without time limitation; or, are serving under an Excepted Service appointment in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (Title 10 USC 1610) and have a minimum of three years of consecutive service under one or more permanent Department of the Army civilian positions.

Pre-requisites:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree (GPA must be 3.0 unless applicant has previously earned a Master's degree);
• GS-11/12 or equivalent pay bands - Completion of the CES Intermediate Course or copy of CHRTAS Intermediate Course Credit Documentation;
• GS-13/14 or equivalent pays bands - Completion of the CES Advanced Course or copy of CHRTAS Advanced Course Credit Documentation.

Applicants should be identified by their organization as being on the track for executive-level service.

The purpose of the Army Congressional Fellowship Program (ACFP) is to educate and train selected Army officers and Civilians in all aspects of congressional activities, emphasizing those matters regarding the Department of Defense (DOD). The program provides an understanding of the dimensions and complexities of congressional responsibilities and their relationship to the total process of government that is of future value to the Army. (Army Regulation 1-202)

The Army Congressional Fellowship Program is designed to provide congressional training to top Army officers and Civilians. The selected Fellow will begin his/her Fellowship in May 2017 by participating in a HQDA orientation program (May-December 2017). The orientation program educates Fellows on HQDA operations and the Army's position on a wide range of issues. It also includes a variety of meetings, seminars, educational readings, and attendance at a one-week Force Integration course.

Masters' Degree in Legislative Affairs: The academic portion of the Fellowship begins simultaneously with orientation in May 2017 with an intensive summer program of study. The George Washington University (GWU) Masters' in Legislative Affairs is a rigorous eleven-course, one-of-a-kind in the nation, curriculum that exposes students to all aspects of the Congressional experience. Two-thirds of the program's current students are Congressional staff which offers Fellows a unique opportunity to network with staffers they will be working with on Capitol Hill. Fellows pursue core course study, as well as, take National Security and Policy courses in the summer and fall sessions with the goal of earning the Masters' Degree in Legislative Affairs by the end of summer 2018. Courses are only offered at night from 1800-2000 hrs near the Capitol.

Capitol Hill Experience: Fellows begin their Capitol Hill experience in January 2018 by serving on the staff of a member of Congress or on a Congressional Committee. Fellows are typically given responsibility for drafting legislation, arranging congressional hearings, writing speeches and floor statements, and briefing members of Congress for committee deliberations and floor debate. Also, while serving in Congressional offices, Fellows continue their studies by taking evening classes. Comprehensive exams are completed during the summer 2018. The Capitol Hill experience ends at the conclusion of the 1st Session, 116th Congress (approximately December 2018).

Utilization Tour (12 Months): To maximize the Army's return on investment and provide an avenue for full utilization of the competencies acquired through the George Washington University (GWU) Masters' in Legislative Affairs Program, Army Civilians graduating from the program are now required to serve a 12-month utilization tour immediately following the 18-month fellowship. The applicant selected for ACFP will remain on his/her current organizations TDA during the 18-month training assignment and follow-on 12-month utilization tour but will be temporarily attached to OCLL.

Direct Placement: Following completion of the utilization tour, the ACFP graduate will be permanently placed in an assignment equivalent to his/her current grade, where he/she can apply the advanced education and/or competencies acquired.

Mobilization Agreement: Signed mobilization agreement will be required. Signing this document attests that applicant will accept a post-training assignment upon completion of the program and understand that placement may involve an organizational, functional, and/or geographic move.

The ideal Army Congressional Fellowship Program Civilian nominee ...

• Is currently between grades GS-11 and GS-14 (or equivalent pay bands).
• Has served at least 3 years in a permanent Department of the Army civilian position.
• Has completed or received credit for the appropriate level of Civilian Education System (CES) Civilian Leader Development training (CES Intermediate Course for GS-11s and GS-12s; CES Advanced Course for GS-13s and GS-14s)
• Is able to complete the full fellowship program, including 8 months preparation, one-year duty in Congress, and 12 month utilization.
• Will accept a post-training assignment upon completion of the program and understand that placement may involve an organizational, functional, and/or geographic move.
• Has held a variety of positions in which experiences reflect increasing levels of responsibility.
• Has demonstrated a strong academic background and utilization of superb writing, oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Represents the US Army in accordance with the Army Civilian Corps Creed.

Headquarters Department of the Army
G-37 Training Directorate
Civilian Training and Leader Dev Division
ATTN: DAMO-TRV (ACFP)
450 Army Pentagon
Room 2D639
Washington, D.C. 20310-0450

Endorsements/letters of recommendation (maximum of five) are required from the various echelons through which the nomination is forwarded, i.e., installation commander, major subordinate commander, and ACOM commander. Applications will not be accepted directly from the candidate.

COMMANDS ARE LIMITED TO TWO NOMINATIONS. Applicant packages are evaluated at each level of the submission process - supervisor, commander, functional official, and DA Secretariat Board. Applicants should indicate qualifications to include: demonstrated flexibility in work habits; ability to work in an unstructured environment; ability to work independently with minimum supervision, direction or assistance; and, an interest in legislative procedures, practices and techniques. Civilians selected to participate in this program will incur a service obligation of not less than three times the length of the 30-month training. DAMO-TRV will notify ACOMs/ASSC/DRU/OAASA of selection results.

Office of Chief Liaison (OCLL) does not grant deferments.

Tuition cost of approximately $25,000, travel and per diem, two (2) Congressional TDYs, and one PCS is centrally funded. G-37 TRV will provide backfill reimbursement to backfill the selectee's position during the period the participant is in a training status.

Army Civilians, send email inquiries to: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-dcs-g-3-5-7.mbx.comp-pro-dev-spt@mail.mil