Interested Airmen may apply for the White House Fellowship Program that provides first-hand experience in how the government operates.

The application deadline is Jan. 15.

Up to 19 people are selected annually to work full-time for one year as special assistants to senior executives in cabinet-level agencies or in the executive office of the president. Military personnel are particularly encouraged to apply by Jan. 15.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

-- Have 24 months time on station as of Aug. 1, 2006, or be returning from an overseas assignment from July 1 to Aug. 31. 

-- Have sufficient retainability to serve a three-year active-duty service commitment upon completion of the program. 

-- Be available for reassignment.

Applicants must obtain written endorsement and authorization from the first colonel in their chain of command. They must have completed all developmental or professional military education appropriate to their rank. Also, enlisted applicants must have an “overall 5” rating on their last enlisted performance reports.

To get an application, call (202) 395-4522, express mail at (202) 606-1818, or by writing:

President's Commission on White House Fellows
712 Jackson Place NW
Washington DC 20503

Completed packages, to include applications and endorsements, must be postmarked by Jan. 15 to:

HQ AFPC/DPAPE
550 C St. West, Suite 32
Randolph AFB TX 78150-4734

Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows Program is one of America's most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. Because the program is open to all U.S. citizens -- except those who are federally employed -- there are no restrictions for age, sex, race or physical requirements.

For more details, contact a local military personnel flight, call (202) 395-4522 or visit www.whitehouse.gov/fellows.

(Courtesy of Air Force Personnel Center News Service)