Legislative Affairs

The Navy Office of Legislative Affairs has responsibility for the coordination and processing through Congress of all legislative proposals of the Department of the Navy, except matters of financial matters and appropriation. The Navy Office of Legislative Affairs facilitates communication between Navy leadership and Congress and their staffs. The staff works closely with authorizing, appropriations, and oversight committees of the House and Senate, as well as with individual Members that have an interest in the Department of the Navy or sea service issues. The Navy Office of Legislative Affairs manages testimony before House and Senate hearings, organizes Member and staff briefings, and facilitates Congressional travel for Members and staff throughout the year.

Rear Admiral Sara A. "Clutch" Joyner

The Chief of Legislative Affairs (CLA) is the Secretary of the Navy's principal staff assistant for discharging the legislative functions and responsibilities of the Department of the Navy, with the exception of liaison with Appropriations Committees, which is, by law, vested with the Comptroller of the Navy.

CLA directs the Office of Legislative Affairs and reports directly to the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations.

Plan, develop, and coordinate relationships between representatives of the Department of the Navy and Members of the United States Congress and their Committee staffs, which are necessary in the transaction of official government business (except appropriation matters) affecting the Navy.

Furnish staff support, advice, and assistance to the Secretary of the Navy, his civilian executive assistants, and all other principal officials of the Department concerning Congressional aspects of Navy policies, plans, and programs (except appropriation matters).

Provide all information, assistance, and staff support required by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for the proper performance of their duties and responsibilities, which include:
- Assistance in preparing and coordinating testimony, briefings, posture statements, policy statements, information papers, and other matters relating to the provision of information to the Congress.
- Assistance in preparing and coordinating legislative proposals, reports, and comments on legislative bills and resolutions, executive orders, and responses to Congressional correspondence, and other matters which involve the expression of Department of the Navy policy on items of Congressional interest.
- Supporting and hosting Congressional visits and travel to Navy installations and units, both within the continental United States and overseas.

Meet Our Team
Legislative Fellowship
The Navy Legislative Fellows program provides an opportunity for Navy officers, senior enlisted and senior civilian employees to broaden their experience and knowledge in the operations and organization of Congress while enhancing the Navy's ability to fulfill its role in the national policy development process.

Program Details and Requirements
The fellowship consists of a year-long full-time assignment to the office of a U.S. Congressional member, either in the Senate or the House of Representatives, who serves on a defense-related committee. The Fellow serves as a member of the staff and is assigned duties and tasks based on the needs of the office. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, drafting legislation; preparing the Member for hearings, meetings, and briefings; advising the Member on Defense, Navy, and/or National Security issues; answering constituent inquiries; coordinating with Professional Staff Members of the various defense committees and subcommittees; and traveling to the district or state. A follow-on tour is required based on community-specific billet requirements.

Military Applicants
Participation is open to all Active Duty and Full-Time Support unrestricted line, restricted line and staff corps officers in the permanent grades of O-3 through O-5. Enlisted participation is open to all Active Duty Navy occupational specialty codes in the permanent grades of E-7 through E-9. Competition is keen, and the selection process will focus primarily on individual performance, promotion potential, career, timing, breadth of experience, academic and subspecialty qualifications, needs of the Navy, and availability for follow-on assignment. Although not required, an appropriate subspecialty, related postgraduate education, and/or staff level experience is desired.

Civilian Applicants
Senior civilian employees, GM/GS-13 and above or equivalent, interested in the Legislative Fellowship Program must contact their local civilian training officer for information on submission of applications for the 2021 program. Parent commands are responsible for all program costs.

Legislative Fellows earn a Legislative AQD
Officers selected for the Legislative Fellows program may not resign or retire while in the program and will be required to agree in writing to serve on active duty for a period of three years following completion of the fellowship. This obligation is to be served concurrently with any other service obligation. Officers beginning their final tour of duty before retirement are not eligible.
For administrative purposes, nominees will be assigned to the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA), Washington, D.C. This is a PCS move, not TAD. The Legislative Fellows receive a FITREP from the Congressional Member and a concurrent FITREP from the Chief of Legislative Affairs.

Timeline
In general, the program follows the timeline below (see NAVADMIN for specific dates on application deadline):
December/January - A NAVADMIN is released providing the specifics of the application process.
February/March - Military applications are due to PERS.
April/May - Interviews are conducted at the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA) in Washington, D.C. Individuals selected for interviews should be prepared to discuss their official Navy record, career goals, and fellowship expectations with an interview board consisting of senior officers and civilians representing the various divisions of OLA. VTC or teleconference will be arranged for those living out of the DC area or on deployment.
June - Nominees are proposed by OLA for SECNAV and DOD approval; nominees are given notification of tentative acceptance.
July - Navy OLA will notify selectees after final approval.
November - LEGIS fellow selectees report to OLA early November for orientation.
January through December - One year serving as a staff member in a Senate or House of Representative office.

Applications
The details of the application process are outlined in BUPERSINST 1560.21F (http://www.public.navy.mil/bupersnpc/reference/instructions/BUPERSInstructions/Documents/BUPERSINST_1560.21F.pdf)
Amplifying guidance is provided below.
Submit applications in standard naval letter format addressed to Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-440B), via the appropriate chain of command. Include the following items:
Nomination statement. Written by the applicant, outlining unique qualifications for selection (please use standard naval letter format, with the letter addressed from the applicant, to Commander, Navy Personnel Command (PERS-440B), via their appropriate chain of command). Please see Enclosure (1) of BUPERSINST 1560.21E.
Professional resume. Please see Enclosure (2) of BUPERSINST 1560.21F.
Biography. Standard Navy biography format is preferred (running commentary/narrative format that one might be accustomed to hearing at a change of command ceremony) with a formal seated portrait in dress blues (covered or uncovered). Please see United States Navy Biographies website:http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/bio_list.asp
Signed privacy act release statement permitting access to Officer Summary Record and service record. Please see Enclosure (3) of BUPERSINST 1560.21E.
Standard Form 182 (pages 4-5 only). A signed SF182 (pages 4-5 only), documenting agreement to remain on active duty for a period of 3 years upon completion of the fellowship.
Official officer photograph. Should be an official photograph in the officer's current rank.
Commanding Officer's endorsement. Please see Enclosure (1) of BUPERSINST 1560.21F.
Detailer Endorsement/Impact Statement. A signed letter from the member's detailer is required prior to package submission. Since this requirement often takes weeks to obtain, interested applicants are encouraged to contact their detailers as soon as possible. PERS-440 will not coordinate/obtain detailer endorsements for members that fail to include one as part of their application submission. Please see Enclosure (1) of BUPERSINST 1560.21F.
Writing sample. Writing sample on a topic of the officer's choice, not to exceed 5 pages in length. The sample can be a previously written document. Point papers, graduate essays, articles written for professional magazines, etc., are examples of samples that can be submitted.
Letters of Recommendation (Optional). Complete applications must be received by the date indicated in the NAVADMIN.
Civilian Applicants.Civilian applicants should contact Mr. Tim_McLain, contact information listed below, for information on application requirements.

Points of Contact
All questions and applications should be sent to the Navy Fellows Program Manager at OLA:

CDR Erich Dietrich
erich.j.dietrich@navy.mil
(703) 697-2885 or DSN 227-2885

DON Civilians interested in the Navy Legislative Fellows program must contact the Office of Civilian Human Resources (OCHR):
Mr. Tim McLain
Timothy.mclain1@navy.mil
(202) 685-6493
Constituent Inquiries
Information for Congressional Staffs

Upcoming Caseworker Workshops for 2021
Navy OLA offers Caseworker Workshops for Congressional caseworkers looking to gain a greater understanding of Navy facilities, operations, and perspectives. these workshops are offered multiple times per year in fleet concentration areas and provide caseworkers the opportunity to tour ships, squadrons, and/or facilities; meet Sailors and leadership; and discuss various topics that impact constituent casework.

Due to COVID-19, Navy OLA will host Virtual Caseworker Workshops in 2021.
For more information on these workshops and how to register, please email LT Joe Fleshman at joseph.m.fleshman@navy.mil.

Submitting Constituent Inquiries
Navy OLA receives 4,500 Constituent inquiries a year. Navy OLA only processes and responds to inquiries from Members of Congress.
In order to ensure your inquiry is processed properly and expeditiously, the following is required:
• Cover letter signed by Member of Congress,
• Privacy Release Form,
• Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) form (DD2870) (if the issue is medically related), and
• A clear question or issue you would like the navy to answer.
You may submit inquiries by emailing us at navy_constituent@navy.mil.
**Please do not send original materials to OLA. OLA cannot guarantee the return of any documentation sent to our office. Maintain a copy of any materials sent in to our office.
To ensure we can properly locate the individual for the inquiry, as much information as possible should be provided in the cover letter, including: name, social security number or service number, current command and/or command related to the inquiry, and contact information. please also include information for an appropriate caseworker for possible follow up.
Normally, Congressional inquiries require a minimum of two weeks for a response. Due to research and other processing requirements, some inquiries may take longer.
For more time sensitive issues, Navy caseworkers can be reached at 703-614-3710. If you have not heard a response after two weeks, contact the Navy caseworkers.
The Navy Office of Legislative Affairs is the primary coordinator for Congressional inquiries to the Navy that are not directly addressed to SECNAV. It is our top priority to respond to these inquiries promptly and accurately.
For additional assistance with your Navy inquiry, please call the general correspondence telephone number at 703-614-3710.

Caseworker Handbook
Additional information for Caseworkers can be found in our Caseworker Handbook located here: https://www.navy.mil/local/ola/Congressional%20Guide%20(2014).pdf

Legislative Affairs

Chief of Legislative Affairs

Responsibilities