ALCOAST 354/24 - SEP 2024 2025-2026 WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS (WHF) PROGRAM
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/10/2024 05:47 PM EDTR 101930Z SEP 24 MID600117636491U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 354/24
SSIC 1738
SUBJ: 2025-2026 WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS (WHF) PROGRAM
1. President Lyndon Johnson established the White House Fellows
Program in 1964 to offer opportunities to gifted and highly
motivated young Americans to experience, first hand, governance at
the highest levels. The White House Fellows Program seeks talented
individuals from a variety of sectors: private industry, academia,
medicine, military, law, the arts, and state and local government.
Civilian federal government employees are not eligible. The White
House selects 11-19 Fellows each year through a national competition
process.
2. Fellows serve for one year as full-time special assistants to
high ranking officials of the executive branch, including cabinet
secretaries and senior members of the Executive Office of the
President. Fellows also participate in an extensive mandatory
education program that augments and enhances the work placement
experience by providing weekly seminars, monthly community service
engagements, and trips to study U.S. policy in action both
domestically and internationally. Fellowships are awarded on a
strictly non-partisan basis.
3. Fellows are chosen based on substantial records of professional,
educational, and public service accomplishment as well as
demonstrated promise to serve in more senior capacities in the
future. Military Fellows typically hold a Bachelors and at least one
graduate degree, and serve in leadership roles in professional and
community service organizations. Biographies of prior White House
Fellows are available at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://whff.org/
4. District Commanders and Commanding Officers should identify
eligible and high performing Coast Guard mid-grade officers and
enlisted members and personally encourage them to apply for this
program.
5. Thirteen Coast Guard members have been selected to serve as White
House Fellows since program inception. Seven members are still on
active duty and three are reservists. Coast Guard WHF alumni are:
a. LCDR Craig Johnson (2023-2024), served in the Office of
Cabinet Affairs.
b. CDR (Reserve) Travis Thul (2020-2021), served in the Export-
Import Bank of the United States and the Executive Office of the
Vice President.
c. CDR Elizabeth Gillis (2018-2019), served in the U.S.
Department of the Treasury.
d. LCDR (Reserve) Brian Churchill (2018-2019), served in the
Overseas Private Investment Corporation.
e. CDR Linden Dahlkemper (2016-2017), served in the General
Services Administration.
f. CDR La'Shanda Hawkins (2015-2016), served in the Office of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Administrator.
g. CAPT Kate Higgins-Bloom (2014-2015), served in the Office of
the First Lady.
h. CAPT Anne O'Connell (2012-2013), served on the U.S. Domestic
Policy Council.
i. CDR (Reserve) Clay Pell (2011-2012), served on the U.S.
National Security Council.
j. CAPT Holly Harrison (2010-2011), served the Office of the
NASA Administrator.
k. CAPT (ret) Jonathan Spaner (2002-2003), served on the
White House Homeland Security Council Staff.
l. LCDR (ret) Tim Atkin (1994-1995), served on the White House
National Security Council Staff.
m. CDR (ret) Craig Coy (1983-1984), served on the White House
Domestic Policy Staff.
6. An informational session for interested applicants will be held
virtually on Monday, 23 SEP 2024 from 1300-1430 ET. Several of
the WHF alumni listed above will discuss the application process,
their fellowship experiences, and answer questions. If you are
interested in participating in the session, contact the
COMDT (CG-0923) POC listed in paragraph 10 or visit:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://dod.teams.microsoft.us/l/channel/19%3Adod%3Ae9782ed06cf54c
77a83d8aa62b1e4203%40thread.tacv2/AY25%20White%20House%20Fellows?
groupId=d23cf119-826b-4e00-b29d-54671de79f55&tenantId=369ba0d5-02cb
-4d2f-94fd-9212cc24b78c
using the following code: j6cuh59.
7. The application process is managed entirely by the White House.
The Coast Guard plays no role in selecting candidates, therefore
Coast Guard applicants should not send applications via the chain
of command. However, the WHF program coordinator will confirm with
the Coast Guard that a member will be released from their assignment
if selected as a Fellow. Individuals should communicate their intent
to apply with their applicable program manager and/or assignment
officer to ensure OPM will release them if selected. Individuals
should also inform COMDT (CG-0923) if they intend to apply to the
program. See POC information in paragraph 10.
8. Application forms and all related information are accessible via
the White House Fellows website:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)
https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/fellows/
Although the 2025-2026 schedule has not yet been announced, the
online application will be available 01 NOV 2024 and must be
submitted with all supporting documents by early JAN 2025.
The fellowship year runs approximately from AUG 2025 to AUG 2026.
9. COMDT (CG-0923) will sponsor applicants selected by the White
House Fellows Office for interviews. Individuals selected as Fellows
will work with CG Personnel Command to coordinate PCS transfer
arrangements.
10. POC: Direct additional questions to LCDR Emily Brockway
COMDT (CG-0923), Emily.H.Brockway@uscg.mil.
11. RDML W. E. Watson, Director, Governmental and Public Affairs
(CG-092), sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.