Kilili announces Wounded Warrior Fellowship

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan announced yesterday the selection of the Marianas congressional office to host a Wounded Warrior Fellow. The two-year fellowship will begin in August and offers the opportunity for a wounded warrior—a medically retired veteran—to work either in one of the congressional offices in the Marianas or in Washington.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for one of our Marianas veterans to branch out into a new field of endeavor, while still serving his or her country,” Sablan said. “The person selected to be our Wounded Warrior Fellow will learn about the workings of Congress and the civilian side of the federal government. This is a career advancement and educational experience that can lead to employment even beyond the two years of the fellowship.

“We will also look to our new Fellow to use their own military experience to assist their fellow veterans who come to the congressional office for assistance,” said Sablan. “I expect the Fellow will advise and assist me in working on veterans’ issues with the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where I am a member, and on military issues generally, such as the proposed buildup in the Marianas.”

The Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program was established by the U.S. House of Representatives to provide employment opportunities for wounded or disabled veterans within the offices of members of Congress. A limited number of congressional offices are selected each year to participate. 

The program is limited to veterans who served on active duty after Sept. 11, 2001, have less than 20 years of service, and have a minimum 30 percent disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In addition to a salary paid by the chief administrative officer of the House of Representatives and the full range of federal employee benefits, Fellows are given intensive training in Washington at the beginning of their term in order to orient quickly to the responsibilities of congressional work and learn about the tools available to them.  

Interested veterans should submit a resume, a copy of the last DD214 issued, and a letter from the VA indicating a 30 percent or greater disability rating to housewoundedwarriors@mail.house.gov. The letter is not necessary, if the veteran is medically retired. 

More information can be found by visiting https://cao.house.gov/wounded-warrior. Or contact Bob Schwalbach at the congressional office at bob.schwalbach@mail.house.gov. (PR)