CJO Leadership Fellows Program

Become a Leadership Fellow in the Center for Junior Officers

Background

Overview

The Leadership Fellows Program is an unpaid, non-resident fellowship sponsored by the Center for Junior Officers.  The purpose of the Leadership Fellows Program is to create and support a cadre of junior officers who voluntarily produce developmental content for the broader junior officer corps within the Army. Supported by the Center for Junior Officers, Fellows will be thought leaders who can help the Center for Junior Officers construct developmental opportunities, shape conversations related to issues impacting junior officers, and share their insights to build the leaders of our future force.  Fellows will take one of two forms: Leadership Fellows or Senior Fellows.

Leadership Fellows

Leadership Fellows directly impact the development of junior Army officers, while growing and developing their own skills, credentials, and personal networks.  Leadership Fellow positions are highly competitive, with between 10-25 Fellows being selected each year. Fellows are selected annually and serve for a 12-month period in a non-resident status. This Fellowship is a voluntary position that does not entail a PCS or a change in any military rating schemes.

Applicants selected for the Fellow program will be expected to generate new knowledge and contribute to ongoing discussions broadly related to the development of junior Army officers by:

• • Contributing at least two leader development or applicable policy articles to the Center for Junior Officers website.
  • Developing at least one professional development related product – or – contributing to the CJO Podcast.
  • Publishing or contributing to at least one leader development or applicable policy opinion piece in an outside outlet -or- supporting a research project, analysis paper, or report focused on an issue related to junior Army officers.
  • Attend monthly virtual developmental sessions hosted by the CJO featuring senior leaders from the military, government, or corporate sectors (as work schedules allow).
  • Attend an annual staff ride (work schedule and resources permitting) to meet with military leaders to discuss issues germane to junior officers.

Leadership Fellows will develop relationships with select Senior Fellows and CJO staff and may have the opportunity to engage in unique opportunities related to coaching and mentoring.

Select Leadership Fellows may be offered opportunities to travel and help lead in-person leader development exercises / seminars with various military and civilian organizations around the world.

Select Leadership Fellows may be invited to West Point to participate in discussions with guest speakers, West Point cadets and faculty, as well as visiting students and faculty.

Senior Fellows

Like Leadership Fellows, Senior Fellows are unpaid, non-resident appointments that last for a period of at least 12 months.  Select Senior Fellows may serve for periods of up to 3 years. Senior Fellows will leverage their knowledge, skills, abilities, and networks to assist Leadership Fellows on projects, honing their personal coaching and mentoring skills in the process and gaining insights via reverse mentoring that will help them in their personal and professional lives.

Select Senior Fellows may be invited to attend an annual staff ride (work schedule and resources permitting) to meet with military leaders to discuss issues germane to junior officers.

Select Senior Fellows may be offered opportunities to travel and help lead in-person leader development exercises / seminars with various military and civilian organizations around the world.

Select Senior Fellows may be invited to West Point to participate in discussions with guest speakers, West Point cadets and faculty, as well as visiting students and faculty.

Eligibility

The Leadership Fellows program is open to company grade Army officers (O1-O3; WO1-CW2), and Cadets. We value innovation and diversity.  Junior Army officers from any commissioning source, compo, or branch are encouraged to apply.

Senior Fellows can be current or former military leaders or civilian professionals from any industry.  Applicants should have experience as leadership researchers and/or practitioners with insight into junior leader development or talent management policy and practice.  We value innovation and diversity and encourage professionals from all disciplines and backgrounds to apply.

Application Procedure

Please complete the application here.

After completing the application form, applicants send an email with three attachments to CJO@westpoint.edu with the subject line “LastName_FellowshipApplication” – inserting your last name.

The files you should attach to the email are:

1. Cover letter. The letter should be no more than one page and state why you want to be a Leadership Fellow or Senior Fellow and what value you will add/how you will help the Center for Junior Officers accomplish its respective mission. Please save and name the file as “lastname_cover letter” – inserting your last name.
2. Resume or CV. Resumes/CVs should be as concise as possible and include only relevant publications and work experience. Please name the file as “lastname_resume” – inserting your last name
3. Writing sample. Writing samples can be on any topic, but those related to the mission of the CJO tend to work best. Please save as a .PDF and name the file as “lastname_writing sample” – inserting your last name.
4. Professional development product (optional). If you’ve developed a product related to developing others (e.g., podcast, TED talk, etc.) that you think speaks to the value you can add as a Leadership Fellow or Senior Fellow, please feel free to include this in your application.

Do NOT include photographs or an ORB with your application.  Those who are selected will provide headshots for inclusion on the CJO website and on the materials they produce.

All applications for the 2022 Leadership Fellows program should be received no later than 5 p.m. EST on 9 January 2022.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to us here at the CJO.