R 211851Z OCT 24
MARADMIN 499/24
MSGID/MARADMIN/CMC CD WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ/2025 UNITED STATES SENATE YOUTH PROGRAM MENTOR SOLICITATION AND
APPLICATION PROCESS//
POC/B.S. STACY/MAJ/COMMUNITY RELATIONS/TEL: 703-695-5206/EMAIL:
[email protected]//
POC/T.H. CAMPBELL/CIV/COMMUNITY RELATIONS BRANCH HEAD/ TEL:
703-571-1905/EMAIL: [email protected]//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This MARADMIN solicits applications from First
Lieutenants, Captains, Majors, and Lieutenant Colonels to serve as
military mentors for the 2025 United States Senate Youth Program
(USSYP) Washington Week to be held in person in Washington, DC from
1-8 March 2025.
2. Background: The USSYP is an annual educational program sponsored
by the United States Senate and funded by the William Randolph
Hearst Foundation. The program provides 104 high school students
from across the country an opportunity to learn firsthand about the
functions of government and encourages those considering a future in
public service. The Armed Forces support for the USSYP includes
seventeen (17) Military Officer Mentors. Two (2) of these officers
will be selected to serve as the Senior Military Mentor (SMM) and
the Assistant Senior Military Mentor (ASMM). USSYP military mentors
represent their individual Service components and serve as role
models for the 104 student delegates, two from each state, the
District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education
Activity. They exemplify the highest standards of decorum and
protocol, facilitate inclusive and insightful debate and discussion
among the students, and assist USSYP staff with implementation of
the program agenda. Each military mentor is assigned a group of
student delegates for the duration of the program, presenting a
unique opportunity for these bright and influential young Americans
to gain a better understanding of DoD’s mission, people, and
inter-relationships with the other branches of federal government.
3. Funding and Travel Requirement: If selected to be a USSYP
military mentor, the service member's command is responsible to fund
travel to and from Washington, DC and must place service member on
official orders.
4. Nominee Per DoD Component: The Marine Corps will nominate from
Active Duty and Active Reserve, sixteen (16) officers total to the
Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs for final
selection. Prior USSYP military mentors (O-2-O-5) are encouraged to
re-apply. Applicants must meet Marine Corps height and weight
standards and must secure command endorsement for participation.
Lieutenant Colonels must have served previously as a military mentor
for this program. Lieutenant Colonel submissions that do not meet
this pre-requisite will be automatically excluded. Submissions do
not guarantee selection.
5. Mentor Availability: Officers selected as the SMM and ASMM are
required to report to the USSYP program site in Washington DC on
Monday, 24 February 2025 for advanced preparation training. The
rest of the mentor team will report on Thursday, 27 February 2025.
All mentors should plan for the event to conclude no earlier than
Saturday, 8 March 2025. For those selected as a mentor officer,
military duties must not conflict with continuous assignment and
responsibilities associated with this program. Supervisor letter of
recommendation must state that, if selected, the nominee will be
available to participate in the total duration of program, to
include pre-program training. USSYP is a fully immersive experience.
Program days are long and structured. There is no available
“down time” for other work projects or diversions during Washington
Week. If Washington Week unexpectedly transitions from an in-person
experience to a completely online format in 2025, all military
mentors will be required to obtain dedicated access to a personal
computer with high-speed internet, webcam, and microphone in an
appropriate area free of distraction.
6. Additional Requirements: Military mentors should have the
following attributes:
(a) Have a successful history of working with high school students
and youth-oriented programs.
(b) Be willing and able to put in consecutive 18-hour days.
(c) Be extremely flexible and able to accept changes in schedule or
direction on very short notice without complaint or visible negative
reaction.
(d) Be sociable, verbally confident, and proficient at facilitating
group discussions.
(e) Be able to suppress their personal desires for the good of the
mission.
(f) Be able to show respect to all age groups and types of
audiences.
(g) Be well versed in the history and current missions of their
Service and Department.
(h) Be adept as both a leader and an action officer on a
multi-Service team.
(i) Be enthusiastic and highly motivated during the entire week.
(j) Be healthy and have good stamina.
(k) Be able to deal fairly and firmly with student delegates without
becoming dictatorial.
(l) Be a model of professional comport and discretion in behavior
and language.
(m) Be willing to both lead and participate in all aspects of the
USSYP team mission.
(n) Be comfortable working with all levels of private sector and
government officials.
(o) Be able to accurately receive, convey, and execute detailed
instructions.
(p) Be skillful at facilitating operational logistics and movements.
(q) Have at least two complete and appropriate sets of Service dress
uniforms.
7. EVALUATION CRITERIA: The competitive selection process is
designed to provide the program with officers who, as a group,
represent the broadest range of military skills, geographic
assignments, and leadership experiences. As part of the selection
process, all nominees will be evaluated by the Office of the
Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs on:
(a) Maturity and leadership skills as expressed by their
supervisor’s recommendation.
(b) Military career (variety of assignments, awards, recognitions,
and duty stations).
(c) Educational background (honors, student government, fellowships,
leadership roles).
(d) Professional appearance based on the photograph supplied with
the nomination packet.
(e) History of leading/coaching/working with high school students
and youth programs.
(f) Total professional/personal experience relevant to USSYP
objectives.
(g) Motivations for wanting to be a USSYP military mentor.
(h) Previous military mentors may apply but are not guaranteed
selection.
8. Senior Military Mentor and Assistant Senior Military Mentor: DoD
will select two officers – typically prior USSYP military mentors –
to serve as Senior Military Mentor and Assistant Senior Military
Mentor. Selectees must adhere to the published military-civilian
leadership protocol in order to ensure a successful program.
9. Nomination Package: Nomination packages that do not comply with
the required format and submission order will be disqualified
automatically. Do not consolidate and submit the entire package in a
.pdf format. Address packages and letters to the USSYP Military
Mentor Selection Panel. Verify compliance with all instructions and
templates prior to submission. Additional documentation is not
required and discouraged.
10. Page One Instructions: Submit introduction as page 1 of the
nomination package. Use a plain sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper; do not use
letterhead or graphics. Use 1 inch margins on all sides top, bottom,
left, right). Use 12 point Times New Roman font. Follow the template
below, delete the brackets after providing the requested
information. Include the disclosure statement. Save as a Microsoft
Word format. Name the file in all caps: LAST NAME, FIRST NAME_PAGE
- Must be addressed to the 2025 United States Senate Youth Program
(USSYP) Military Mentor Selection Panel. Due to the Privacy Act
Laws, all personal information must be submitted using electronic
encryption. Each nomination package must include the following in
this order and format (where stated).
Page One Format:
Contact Information (Centered)
{Space}
{Rank}{First Name}{Middle Initial}. {Last Name}
{U.S. Marine Corps}
Nominee Information
Work Mailing Address: {Unit Name}, {Street Address},
{City}, {State}, {Zip Code}
Work E-Mail Address:
Work Phone Number(s): {###-###-####}
Home Mailing Address: {Street Address},
{City}, {State}, {Zip Code}
Home E-mail Address:
Home Phone Number:{###-###-####}
Mobile Phone Number (s): {###-###-####}
First Line Unit Commander
{Rank}{First Name}{Middle Initial}. {Last Name}
{Title}
Work Mailing Address:
Work E-Mail Address:
Work Phone Number (s): {###-###-####}
Division or Wing Commander
{Rank}{First Name}{Middle Initial}. {Last Name}
{Title}
{Work Mailing Address: {Street Address}, {City},
{State}, {Zip Code}
Work E-Mail Address:
Work Phone Number(s): {###-###-####}
(a) Include the disclosure statement: “I authorize the release of
information enclosed in this information package only to those
persons involved in the selection process. If selected, I further
authorize the release of limited information to the U.S. Senate
Youth Program to administer my participation.”
- Page Two Instructions: Submit biography as page 2 of the
nomination package. Use a plain sheet of 8.5 x 11 paper: Do not use
letterhead or graphics. Use 1 inch margins on all sides (top,
bottom, left, right). Use 12 point Times New Roman font. Single
space paragraphs; double space between paragraphs. Align left; do
not indent paragraphs. Limit to one page. Write the biography as a
third-person narrative, not a bulleted Q&A list. Use plain language.
Consider that this biography will be included in the USSYP student
delegate packages, and most delegates have had little to no exposure
to the military. Save as a Microsoft Word format.
Name the file in all caps: LAST NAME, FIRST NAME_page 2.
Page Two Format:
Biography: (Centered)
{Space}
{Rank}{First Name}{Middle Initial}. {Last Name}
{U.S. Marine Corps}
Please address the following in your biography, along with any other
pertinent details:
(a) High School: name, location, student leadership positions,
awards, honors, scholarship, exchange programs.
(b) College: name, location, degree(s), major(s), leadership
positions, fellowships, publications, awards, honors.
(c) Commissioning source: Service Academy, ROTC, OCS, etc.
(d) History of working with teenager programs or high school
students.
(e) Why did you choose to serve in the military?
(f) Military Career (describe in civilian terms): current
assignment, also note your primary career field (e.g. pilot,
attorney, engineer, etc.) if currently detailed to a special duty
assignment (e.g. executive officer, legislative fellow, etc.) duty
description assignments, deployments, ability to lead troops and
facilitate logistics.
(g) Special recognitions, achievements, annual/quarterly awards,
personal decorations (meritorious service medal or higher).
(h) History working with high school students or teenage youth
programs.
(i) Off duty activities and interests.
(j) Why do you want to be a military mentor?
(k) What can you offer the USSYP program?
(l) If you are a former USSYP student delegate and/or military
mentor, mention the year(s) and your impression of the program or
its impact on you.
- Page Three Instructions: Submit a one-paragraph proposed
introduction as page 3 of the nomination package. Use a plain sheet
of 8.5 x 11 paper: Do not use letterhead or graphics. Use 1 inch
margins on all sides (top, bottom, left, right). Use 12 point Times
New Roman font. Double space. Align left, do not indent paragraph.
Follow the template below, delete the brackets after providing the
requested information. Limit to 100-150 words. Consider that there
are twelve mentor bios to be read aloud in sequence as part of a
larger program; therefore be brief. Use plain language. Most of the
audience will have had little to no exposure to the military. Save
as Microsoft Word format. Name the file in all caps: LAST NAME,
FIRST NAME_page 3.
Page Three Format:
Proposed Introduction: (Centered)
{Space}
{Rank}{First Name}{Middle Initial}. {Last Name}
{U.S. Marine Corps}
A one paragraph proposed introduction, utilizing the following
template:
{Name} is currently serving as {duty position} where {he/she}
{explain duties in one sentence}. {He/she} grew up in {city, state},
and received {his/her} {college degree title(s)/ major(s)} from
{school name}. Next, mention any notable extracurricular activities
that would resonate with the USSYP delegates. {He/she} has had
assignments in {list countries and/or states only} and served in
{note deployments and cite responsibilities}. Close with one or two
notable hobbies and (slant)or interesting fact(s) you would like the
students to know.
- Page Four Instructions: Submit endorsement from supervisor as
page 4 of the nomination package. The endorsement should be
addressed from the applicants unit to the 2025 United States Senate
Youth Program Mentor Selection Panel via his/her chain of command.
Use official letterhead. At a minimum, the final endorsement should
be provided by the nominees Battalion/Squadron Commander. The
applicant’s immediate supervisor is encouraged to provide comments
focused on maturity, leadership skills, communication skills,
professional appearance and community involvement. The endorsement
must include the following statement: "If {nominee name} is
selected, {he/she} will be available to participate in all
activities for the duration of the USSYP, 27 February through 8
March 2025." Majors and Lieutenant Colonels should modify this
statement to indicate their availability from 24 February through 8
March 2025, in the event they are selected as the Senior Mentor
Officer or Assistant Senior Mentor Officer. Limit to one page. Save
in .PDF format. Name the file in all caps: LAST NAME, FIRST
NAME_page 4.
- Page Five Instructions: Full-Length Photograph: Submit a
full-length photograph in Service 'C' Uniform as page 5 of the
nomination package. The photo does not need to be "official"
military photo, but must be detailed and large enough to determine
professional military appearance. Standing posture may be at a
45-degree angle or straight on. Natural face expression, with or
without smile, is appropriate. If selected, a headshot from this
photo will be used for your bio in the student handbook. Photo may
also be used by USSYP for their security requirements. Save in .jpg
format, at least 300 dpi resolution. Name the file in all caps: LAST
NAME, FIRST NAME_page 5.
- Applications must be sent electronically to the HQMC Community
Relations Organizational Mailbox to the following address:
[email protected] with a subject line of “2025 U.S. Senate Youth
Military Mentor Selection Panel ICO rank/name.”
- Deadline: The Communication Directorate must receive
applications no later than COB 1700 EDT 8 November 2024.
Applications that do not meet the required due date will be
disqualified automatically. Addressees will be notified of selection
mid-January 2025. For additional information on the nomination
application process and criteria, please visit the DoD-hosted USSYP
Military Mentor Candidate site (CAC required) at:
https:(slash)(slash)pa.sp.pentagon.mil/SenateYouthProgram/SitePages/
Home.aspx. For information on the USSYP, please visit
www.ussenateyouth.org.
- Release authorized by SES April L. Langwell, Director of
Communication, Headquarters Marine Corps.//