Operation Warfighter
Are you an active duty wounded, ill, or injured Service Member looking for an internship opportunity?
Operation Warfighter (OWF) is a non-paid temporary assignment/internship program developed by the Department of Defense for Recovering Service Members (RSMs) that are convalescing at military treatment facilities throughout the United States. The program provides RSMs with meaningful activity outside of the hospital environment and offers a formal means of transition back to the military or civilian workforce.
Operation Warfighter is a great opportunity for RSMs on medical hold to build their resumes, explore employment interests, develop job skills, and gain valuable federal government work experience that will help them prepare for their adjustment to the civilian workplace. Each Service member must contact DoD's OWF Program Manager, Office of Wounded Warrior Care & Transition Policy, DoD, at warriorcare@osd.mil prior to placement in a Federal internship program. Participants must be American citizens who have not separated from in the military (including the Active Duty, National Guard and Reserves). They must also fulfill the security clearance requirements set by the office where they intend to work.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is committed to supporting the military community and is seeking internship candidates nationwide. Based on their skills, expertise, and interest, Warfighters are placed in host offices and assigned a supervisor and a mentor. Host offices are available in many areas of the DEA across the United States.
The OWF program’s goal is to match RSMs with opportunities that consider their interests and utilize both their military and non-military skills, thereby creating productive assignments that are beneficial to both the Service member and the DEA. Resumes are available to Federal agencies to view, select, conduct interviews, and decide placement of candidates. The joint goal is to recruit federal employers and RSMs in appropriate education, training, and careers.
DEA Warfighter Experience
Eligibility
Candidates must be enrolled participants in the Operation Warfighter Program before they can be considered for placement at the DEA. If you are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and meet the eligibility criteria for the OWF program, we encourage you to reach out to your local OWF Regional Coordinator to enroll. Enrollment is required for DEA consideration. Learn more at the DoD OWF website.
Pre-Internship Conditions
Once you have been selected the DEA OWF Program Manager will send you a Conditional Internship Offer letter indicating the details and conditions of the internship. In coordination with the DEA Hiring Manager will start your onboarding process. You will be asked to complete pre-internship documents which facilitates the suitability determination. The duration of the security clearance review process depends on your particular background and existing security clearance level. Please note, if you have significant foreign travel, and/or foreign relatives or contacts, the security clearance process can be more involved.
All interns are required to complete a pre-interview drug test and must comply with drug policy requirements and qualities that promote the integrity and efficiency of the DEA. Finally, fingerprints may need to be completed if not already available in the system.
Mentorship
In addition to the DEA OWF Program Manager, you will also be assigned a mentor to assist you with in-processing logistics and throughout your assignment. Your mentor is available to orient you to your specific office and the department, provide guidance on how to perform your specific work duties and answer questions you may have.
Duty Schedules
Duty schedules for OWF participants are determined by your treatment schedule. This flexibility accommodates your medical treatment and is designed to support your well-being and recuperation. You will work about 20 hours per week throughout your assignment, depending on your availability. Under no circumstance will any OWF assignment interfere with your medical treatment or adversely affect your well-being and recuperation.
Length of Assignment
The length of your assignment is also determined by your unique recuperation and military status. The average length of an assignment is 3-5 months. During your assignment you may be asked to take training to enhance your existing skills and/or learn new skills.
Future Employment
While there is no guarantee of employment following the completion of an OWF assignment, service members released from medical hold status are considered potential candidates for full-time employment with the Department pending separation from the military.
If you are currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and meet the eligibility criteria for the OWF program, we encourage you to reach out to your local OWF Regional Coordinator to enroll. Enrollment is required for DEA consideration. Learn more at the DoD OWF website.
Enrolled OWF candidates may reach out to the DEA’s OWF Program Manager via email, DEA_OWF@dea.gov, to learn more about our internship opportunities.