WEBVTT 00:00.887 --> 00:02.610 (slow orchestral music) 00:04.309 --> 00:07.097 - The mission of the Office of Legislative Affairs 00:07.097 --> 00:09.944 here at Headquarters Marine Corps is to educate and inform 00:09.944 --> 00:12.273 members of Congress and their staff 00:12.273 --> 00:14.484 so that they can make informed decisions 00:14.484 --> 00:16.210 in their oversight role 00:16.210 --> 00:18.559 that's been granted to them by the Constitution. 00:19.431 --> 00:21.446 - I think the fellowship has a twofold purpose. 00:21.446 --> 00:23.632 Obviously, it is to 00:23.632 --> 00:26.080 provide Marines an opportunity just to expand, 00:26.080 --> 00:27.796 you know, their worldview, 00:27.796 --> 00:30.241 to provide professional education, 00:30.241 --> 00:33.276 to see another branch of government and how it works. 00:33.276 --> 00:36.245 I also think that it provides members of Congress 00:36.245 --> 00:39.081 a unique look into the Marine Corps 00:39.081 --> 00:42.653 by having a Marine on their staff every day of the year, 00:42.653 --> 00:44.616 particularly in an age where we have 00:44.616 --> 00:46.691 less veterans in Congress and less veterans 00:46.691 --> 00:48.610 working on congressional staffs. 00:49.404 --> 00:52.420 - What a congressional fellow does and the impact that they have 00:52.420 --> 00:54.822 working with members of Congress, 00:54.822 --> 00:56.992 whether it's doing research 00:56.992 --> 00:58.906 or writing memos, 00:58.906 --> 01:01.680 helping the individual that you're working for 01:01.680 --> 01:04.642 be more informed in their decision-making ability. 01:05.548 --> 01:08.164 I hope to take this experience back to the fleet 01:08.164 --> 01:10.404 and be able to empower the Marines that I'm 01:10.404 --> 01:12.078 going to be in charge of 01:12.078 --> 01:14.290 to know that there is a way 01:14.290 --> 01:17.507 to make change, there is always a way. 01:17.979 --> 01:19.692 (soft music) 01:20.290 --> 01:21.563 - They've been incredible. 01:21.563 --> 01:23.868 They bring an operational experience 01:23.868 --> 01:25.707 that is unlike anybody else that could 01:25.707 --> 01:27.321 come to the office here. 01:27.321 --> 01:30.318 Their knowledge of what happens there, 01:30.318 --> 01:33.446 in the field or onboard an aircraft, 01:33.446 --> 01:35.734 has been incredibly, incredibly helpful. 01:35.734 --> 01:37.523 I think the most important part of the experience is to 01:37.523 --> 01:39.833 understand that when you're out in the fleet, 01:39.833 --> 01:42.208 you look at things based upon your, 01:42.208 --> 01:43.841 not only your MOS, 01:43.841 --> 01:45.811 but your function as 01:45.811 --> 01:48.428 part of accomplishing the mission in the unit that you're with. 01:48.428 --> 01:50.427 So I think it's good to get a perspective up here and go, 01:50.427 --> 01:51.914 oh, that's why. 01:51.914 --> 01:53.987 Whether sometimes it makes sense or not, 01:53.987 --> 01:56.847 you do actually get to the see the process. 01:56.847 --> 01:59.246 It gives, I think, folks that 01:59.246 --> 02:00.955 come here to the office to serve 02:00.955 --> 02:02.886 a great perspective on things. 02:02.886 --> 02:05.159 And I think it makes them more effective 02:05.159 --> 02:07.535 as officers that move up the ranks 02:07.535 --> 02:09.296 because they see how decisions are being made. 02:09.296 --> 02:11.194 They know how to make sure that they are 02:11.194 --> 02:14.181 part of that decision-making, they know how to explain. 02:14.181 --> 02:16.298 I think that situational awareness 02:16.298 --> 02:19.746 makes them better communicators to their units. 02:19.746 --> 02:21.541 But I think it also makes them 02:21.541 --> 02:23.932 incredibly effective leaders 02:23.932 --> 02:26.773 within their various service branches.