'Fellows' get front-row view of government

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephanie Witty
  • Air Force Reserve Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  At a time when citizen airmen are being activated and deployed, making personal sacrifices and being placed in harms way, it is important the government they defend understands the issues facing them.

To ensure they are represented in Congress, Air Force reservists participate in the Air Force Reserve Legislative Fellowship Program. The program, which began in January 1996, fosters positive relations between Congress and Air Force Reserve Command, resulting in benefits for both.

Congress benefits from important military insight, while the Air Force reservist receives an enhanced perspective of the legislative process as well as congressional perspective on a wide range of military issues.

"The members of Congress who sit on military committees have an ever-growing need to have military advisers, as the number of elected officials with personal military experience continues to shrink away," said Maj. Cathy Haverstock, congressional outreach rapid response officer and the 2002 Air Force Reserve fellow. "It fosters close relationships between Congress and the military services through better understanding on both parts of the budget process for a calendar year."

There is not only a program for the Air Force Reserve majors, but includes programs for four active-duty majors, an Air National Guard major and an Air Force civilian, according to Maj. Gen. Scott S. Custer, director Air Force Legislative Liaison Office.

"These individuals represent the Air Force's highest caliber performers and are chosen through an extremely competitive selection process," the general said.

The programs provide instruction and hands-on experience through a three-week orientation, seminars and advanced courses at the Government Affairs Institute of Georgetown University in Washington. Fellows learn congressional organization and processes along with suggestions and support in securing a position with a congressional office. The fellows then interview with prospective offices and are matched to serve a full-time assignment on the staff of a member, support agency or congressional committee in Washington.

During the program, fellows must face and overcome many challenges while working on Capitol Hill.

"It is a different culture. In the military you are used to working the early part of the day (6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and there your day is 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.," Major Haverstock said. "Also, you are at the top end of the budgetary process, the oversight of the executive branch. Members have an amazing amount of power in this capacity and it was a unique learning process to see that part of it."

Fellows must quickly learn about the complex legislative process in a very short period of time.

"We, as military members, are often not educated in the processes of the legislative branch of government," said Maj. Annette C. Ortiz, the 2003 Air Force Reserve legislative fellow. "I had to learn the process very quickly as I was thrust into the congressional process right away and given a great deal of responsibility as a fellow."

Another challenge they undertake during their fellowship is to complete Air Command and Staff College.

"Balancing the volume of work was challenging but also educational," Major Ortiz said. "During the year I had to complete Air Command and Staff College here, while working full time on the staff."

Despite any the challenges, fellows complete the program with an exceptional grasp of the legislative process.

"I really enjoyed watching our government work from a front-row seat and watching the evolution of the legislation this year," Major Ortiz said. "I also enjoyed the scope of the work I did, which ranged from answering constituent mail to meeting with foreign heads of state. I worked on all of the defense programs, wrote speeches and legislative proposals, did research in areas such as national security, defense, intelligence and other vital subjects in order to keep the senator up to date on important issues."

After completing the program, fellows are required to work in a legislative liaison position, to best use the contacts they made on Capitol Hill and to contribute all of the useful information they have gained.

"Congressional members tell me repeatedly how our Air Force fellows have served in their offices with the highest professionalism and distinction, excelling in a wide variety of areas and responsibilities," General Custer said. "We are extremely proud of our legislative fellows."

As the 2004 Legislative Fellow Program commences, Lt. Col. Samuel Mahaney, the 2004 Air Force Reserve Legislative Fellow, looks forward to an educational and prosperous year on Capitol Hill. (Courtesy of AFRC News Service)