ALCOAST 487/25 - DEC 2025 SOLICITATION FOR MILITARY MENTORS FOR THE 2026 UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM

R 081530Z DEC 25 MID120038454782U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 487/25
SSIC 5700
SUBJ: SOLICITATION FOR MILITARY MENTORS FOR THE 2026 UNITED STATES
SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM
A. Military Assignments and Authorized Absences, COMDTINST 1000.8A
1. The Coast Guard is proud to support the 2026 United States
Senate Youth Program (USSYP) by providing Coast Guard officers to
serve as mentors for outstanding high school students interested in
pursuing careers in public service. The USSYP program presents a
unique opportunity for these high-performing students to spend a
week in Washington, DC, experiencing the federal government in
action. Student delegates will hear major policy addresses by
Senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State
and War (DoW) and directors of other federal agencies. Participation
as a military mentor in this prestigious program provides officers
the opportunity to exercise leadership skills while mentoring the
nation's next generation of aspiring public servants. Each military
mentor is assigned a group of student delegates for the duration of
the program. Military mentors facilitate inclusive and insightful
dialogue and assist USSYP staff with implementing the program
agenda.
2. Applicants: Active duty and reserve officers, O-2 through O-5,
assigned outside of the National Capital Region can apply. O-5
candidates must be prior USSYP military mentors, with no exceptions.
DoW is seeking a diverse cross-section of military occupations.
Military mentors must have a command endorsement and be available
for all pre-program training and full participation from
02 March 2026 - 14 March 2026.
3. Previous Mentors: Prior USSYP military mentors, O-3 through O-5,
are encouraged to apply but are not guaranteed selection.
4. The Hearst Foundation has historically paid the lodging, meals,
and incidental costs for Service members to participate as USSYP
military mentors during Washington Week program days. These in-kind
gifts may be accepted in accordance with 31 U.S.C. Section 1353.
To implement this authority, all USSYP military mentors must be on
funded travel orders. Therefore, only candidates with a permanent
duty station outside of Washington, DC, are eligible to apply to
the USSYP. Transportation to/from Washington, DC, is at unit
expense.
5. If you are interested in this program, access the following link
for detailed information on developing your nomination package:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser) (CAC required)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/2026USSenateYouthProgramUSSYP

6. For further information, contact Ms. Zenobia Williams at
Zenobia.A.Williams@uscg.mil. The deadline to submit your application
is 12 December 2025. After nominees are selected and forwarded to
DoW, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs will
facilitate final assessments and announce military mentor selections
by mid-January 2026.
7. For more information on this great program, contact one of last
year's military mentors: LT Kathryn Rubio at
Kathryn.S.Rubio@uscg.mil or LT James Eggers at
James.P.Eggers@uscg.mil. Candidates can learn more about the program
by visiting the DoW-hosted USSYP Military Mentor Candidate site:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser) (CAC required)

https://pa.sp.pentagon.mil/SenateYouthProgram/SitePages/Home.aspx

8. Jennifer M. Plozai, Director, Directorate of Coast Guard
Communications (CG-092), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.