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The Operation Warfighter (OWF) Initiative is a Federal internship program established by the Department of Defense (DoD) in 2006. The Initiative calls on Federal agencies to identify temporary assignments and opportunities for service members convalescing at military medical centers in the National Capital Region (NCR). The goal of the Initiative is to match service members with opportunities that utilize both their military and non-military skills, thereby creating productive assignments that are beneficial to both the service member and the employer. Service members on medical hold, even if assigned to the National Guard and/or a Reserve Component unit, are eligible to participate in the program. The Initiative 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. Duty schedules for OWF participants are dependent on each individual treatment schedule. These are flexible so as not to interfere with the service member's medical treatment or adversely affect their well-being and recuperation. The average length of the temporary assignment is 3-5 months for an average of 20 hours per week. DIA does not pay a service member's salary, as they are paid by their respective service. OWF participants are placed in host offices and assigned a supervisor and a mentor. Based on the participant's interests and the needs of the host office, service members may take training to further enhance their skills and to learn new skills. OWF strives to demonstrate to participants that skills 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. In support of this Federal internship program for recovering service members, DIA sponsors the Wounded Warrior (WW) branch. For more information on this Agency program and how to apply, please click here. There is no promise of employment at the completion of an OWF/WW assignment. However, OWF service members released from medical hold status, pending separation from military service, are considered potential candidates for full time employment with DIA.
DIA is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered without regard to non-merit factors, such as race, national orgin, color, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability or sexual orientation.