MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER : 06-142
AHRC-OPD-P
FISCAL YEAR 2007 JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF (JCS), OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (OSD), AND THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY STAFF (ARSTAF) INTERN PROGRAM
Issued: [05/12/2006]...

1.  This message expires NLT 31 MAY 2007.

2.  SUMMARY
Each year, Human Resources Command (HRC) selects 20 branch-qualified captains for the JCS/OSD/ARSTAF Intern Program.  The JCS/OSD/ARSTAF Intern Program is a three-year program.  During the first year, interns attend Georgetown University, earning an Executive Masters in Policy Management (MPM).  The second year, selected officers serve as interns within the offices of the Joint Staff (JCS), or the offices of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).  Officers serve as interns on the Army Staff during their third year.  Selected officers are assigned to various sections within these staffs and are assured exposure to and involvement in critical decision-making at the highest levels within our military and the Department of Defense.

3.   PHASES: The JCS/OSD/ARSTAF Internship is a three-phase, degree-producing opportunity for outstanding branch qualified captains in the Operations Career Field.  

 a. PHASE I – Georgetown University MPM Program:  The academic portion of the internship begins with an intense summer program designed in two modules.  Module One provides a review of the students' managerial experience to date, focusing on ways they can develop into more effective leaders within complex organizations.  Module Two entails a broad canvassing of best practices in policy management.  After completing the summer program, students take three additional core courses and three electives that provide the framework for the subsequent Applied Policy Management Project (APMP).  The APMP is a capstone paper that requires students to demonstrate their ability to integrate analytic, management and advocacy tools as they investigate solutions to a specific policy issue. Each APMP focuses on a defense-related issue.  Finally, each student will participate in a weekend series of Seminars on Public Policy.  A complete description of courses, electives, and seminars is available at the Georgetown University Public Policy Institute Web Page: http://gppi.georgetown.edu/

 b. PHASE II – Joint Staff or Office of the Secretary of Defense Internship:  Upon earning their degree, interns are integrated into the policy and operational activities of the nation's senior military staffs to give them a broader perspective of operations within the military and our government.  Staffs develop interns professionally by assigning them duties commensurate with an action officer within their assigned directorate.  This training prepares officers to serve more effectively in future staff positions within the Joint Staff, the Services, or within other Defense agencies.  The J-1 is the approval authority for all officer assignments on the Joint Staff. DUSD MPP is the approval authority for officers’ assignments to OSD.  Key billets on the Joint Staff and OSD require interviews.
 
 c. PHASE III – Army Staff Internship:  Interns spend the third and final year of the program working within the Army Staff.  Assignments to Army Staff positions are based upon unique skills acquired during PHASE I and PHASE II of the program.  Like the Joint Staff and OSD Staff, the Army Staff slates interns into demanding roles as lead action officers, calling upon their knowledge base to represent the Army within the Pentagon and throughout the
Department of Defense.  The office of the Chief of Staff of the Army is the approval authority for all officer assignments on the ARSTAF or otherwise, and reserves the right to alter or change the third and final year of the JCS/OSD/ARSTAF Intern Program.

4.  TIMELINE

15 AUGUST 06                 APPLICATION DEADLINE TO ASSIGNMENT OFFICER
15 SEPTEMBER 06            APPLICATION DEADLINE TO CHIEF, JOINT SECTION
01 NOVEMBER 06             SELECTION PANEL CONVENES
15 NOVEMBER 06             GEORGETOWN ADMISSION REVIEW
01 DECEMBER 06             SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
15 MAY 07                     STUDENTS/INTERNS REPORT TO GEORGETOWN

5.  ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS

1.   Officers must be managed by HRC - Alexandria and in the Army Competitive Category.

2.   This program is not open to Warrant Officer, AMEDD, JAG, Chaplain, or Reserve/National Guard Officers.

  a.   Must be Year Group 2000 or later (2001, 02 etc).  There are no waivers or exceptions for senior Year Groups
  b.   If required, officer must have full written concurrence on Request for Break in Stabilization (STABREAK) prior to selection panel convening
  c.   Must have extraordinary potential for future military service
  d.   Must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0
  e.   Must hold a current TS/SCI Clearance with SSBI up to date within 5 years OR officer must have Electronic Personnel Security Questionnaire                                                                                                                                                                                      (EPSQ) submitted and pending investigation by Central Clearance Facility prior to 15 DEC 06
  f.    Must have 3 years availability in career timeline for duty in Washington, D.C. (includes potential O4 selects in PZ or BZ).  Upon completion of the                   degree at Georgetown, officers will complete 2 years as interns - there are no curtailment waivers.
  g.   Must be branch qualified at current grade (IAW DA PAM 600-3) NLT 1 MAY 07
  h.   Must be able to report 15 MAY 07
  i.    Must not be competing for any other Army-sponsored program, fellowship, or
        scholarship
  j.    Must not be pending any adverse actions
  k.   Must meet Army height and weight requirements
  l.    Officers with a previously earned master’s degree may compete as long as the degree is not in Public Administration, Public Policy, Policy Analysis,               Policy Management, or any other similar discipline.  AR 621-1 prohibits earning a fully funded degree in the same discipline.
  m.  No GRE or GMAT required

6.  HOW TO COMPETE FOR INTERNSHIP

a.         Inform your Assignment Officer (AO) that you wish to compete and ensure that your
timeline, goals, and file support application to the program. In discussing your timeline, your AO will ensure that you have met all current tour obligations and assist you with any exceptions, curtailments, or breaks in CONUS stabilization requests necessary to ensure eligibility.  Exceptions however, are limited to special circumstances.
b.        Admission to GU occurs concurrently with Selection Panel through the Advance Civil Schooling (ACS) office. Your application will be processed entirely through HRC. Officers do not apply directly to Georgetown. Do not send documents of any nature directly to Georgetown. Send all original documents to your AO for packet consolidation.

c.        Your AO will help prepare your file. Submit your completed application, to include all
documents required in your file to your AO NLT 15 AUG 06.          
     (1)  Update your official photo and ORB which can be reviewed online at AKO
     (2)  Submit two (2) official/original copies of all undergraduate transcripts to include transcripts for all transferred credits from any college or university you have received credit.  Two official transcripts are required from each institution.
     (3)  Submit a DA Form 4187 to your AO.  The DA Form 4187 must include the following information: mailing address, email address, work telephone number and the statement "I request permission to compete for the JCS/OSD Intern Program.  I understand that attendance at Georgetown University results in an ADSO equal to three times the length of the schooling, computed in days, but not to exceed 6 years.   I understand that the program requires me to spend three years in the MDW.”  The DA Form 4187 must be signed and approved by the first 06 level Commander in the soldier’s chain of command.
     (4) Submit a DA Form 1618 (http://www.army.mil/usapa/eforms/pdf/A1618.PDF). Complete all sections as instructed on the form. Specific section inputs are indicated below.
      TO:                AHRC-OPF-L
      Block 1:         Commencing:  June 2007
                                  Discipline: MPM
                           School: Georgetown University
      Block 7:        a. OSD/JCS
                          b. ARSTAF
      (5) Develop and submit a personal statement explaining what unique abilities you would bring to the MPM program program and how obtaining the degree would contribute to the degree would contribute to the attainment of personal and professional goals.  ***No sample letters of application or recommendation are available.***

Format:                No more than two pages, single spaced, 12 font, Times New Roman, 1" margins, no unit or office desination
First Line:             To: Commander, Human Resources Command
Second Line:         ATTN: JCS/OSD/ARSTAF Intern Program
Third Line:             200 Stovall Street, Alexandria, VA 22332
Fourth Line:          Rank, Name, SSN
Fifth Line:             Start personal statement in standard paragraph format.
Closing:               Standard Signature Block

7.  The points of contact for more information are:

Packet Submission                                                        JCS/OSD Selection and Assignments
Your Assignment Officer                                                  MAJ Maureen Bessingpas
https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/active/index2.asp                 Chief, Joint Section
                                                                                        (703) 325-8130
                                                                              maureen.bessingpas@hoffman.army.mil