Veterans bring a unique skill-set to bear, with training and experience that ranges from region specific knowledge to functional area expertise. Because of this, Veterans are an excellent resource to advance foreign policy goals at the U.S. Department of State. That’s something Secretary of State John Kerry, a Vietnam Veteran, knows and why he believes it’s important to attract qualified Veterans to foreign affairs positions within the federal government, and especially at the Department of State.
With this in mind, Kerry launched the Veterans Innovation Partnership (VIP) in October 2013, a public-private alliance that serves America’s returned Servicemembers by preparing them for meaningful diplomacy and development careers. VIP enhances America’s global leadership and provides education, employment resources, and expertise to returned veterans.
Veterans who are accepted into the program serve on the front lines of diplomacy at State, where they have the opportunity to work in many different departments for a full year as part of the paid fellowship. VIP Fellows bring their real world experience from the military and academia to the hands on practice of policy making.
The Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships is taking applications for the third cohort of VIP fellows, slated to begin in the fall of 2016. For more information on how to apply, visit www.vipfellowship.org/application-process . The deadline for applications is April 15, 2016. For more information on VIP, email us at vipfellowships@state.gov.
About the author: This article was submitted to Vantage Point by U.S. Department of State Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships.
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Hard to read the VA praising themselves- quite disgraceful- meanwhile back in San Diego they are doing their best to avoid and subsequently kill our mentally wounded vets – one top administrator saying “they should be taken out back and shot” why don’t you give that a whack lady and see how it works for you; coward.
Don’t fill your blogs with Disneyland stories- have enough humility to not post anything until you are doing. The right thing, you won’t be posting for a while, if ever.
Denied seeing a VA choice shrink yesterday, yelled at and hung up on- thanks assholes there is a price to pay for everything you don’t do.
Let’s be totally transparent about this article and it’s position. To apply you must have a Master’s Degree to even be considered. Just like in the service all is not it seems.
This is a smart win-win idea! Unfortunately, the VA’s first mention of it (that I know of) was in the newsletter sent out today, April 15th, because the deadline to apply is today, April 15th. Consequently, the application deadline should be extended.
Ken, thanks for the comment and for reading our blog. We actually posted this article last Friday, April 8, when our partners at the State Department sent it to us. We missed getting into last week’s “This Week” email, however, so it’s in today’s edition.
This does not help any of us who would be/are interested in offering our expertise and experience to others. Let’s be a bit more communicative!
Fellows, most of us knew that a real nice guy/ lady while in the ranks and as long as job credentials stayed the same his/ her values stayed the same. Move them up more than one rank, the gold braid, stripes, and bars changes thinking and attitudes and past friends .
Congress is the place that honor and integrity and past friends go out the door.
Charles C. Smith, Veteran advocate
WW!1, Korea and Desert Storm/Desert Shield combat veteran.
In my opinion, John Kerry turned his back on his country when he threw his ribbons over that fence 40 yrs ago! He is a puppet for what I feel is the most embarrassing representation this country has ever elected! Our country has become the punch line of many jokes, & has lost Her standing in the world because of him & MOST other politicians! He is an honorable veteran, my brother, but that doesn’t mean I would shake his hand!
Yes- our Congress has been embarrassing. Shutting down the government but still on the payroll.
Get over yourself! And, get with celebrating our great country. Hatred has no place in your heart! I believe in your right to speak your mind! In fact, I would defend your right to my death even when you don’t have a clue about what you’re speaking of. We have never been stronger as a nation.