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News | Feb. 5, 2018

San Diego Distribution center participates in Operation Warfighter internship program

By DLA Distribution Public Affairs

DLA Distribution San Diego, California, in conjunction with the Department of Defense’s Operation Warfighter internship program, recently hosted Navy Petty Officers Heather Fournier and Christine Broadhurst.

The OWF program enables transitioning warfighters the opportunity to obtain skills and experiences that are directly transferable to job opportunities across multiple federal agencies. 

“It was a win-win situation for all involved. Fournier and Broadhurst were great assets while serving as members of the San Diego Team,” explained DLA Distribution San Diego, commander, Navy Capt. Jerome White. “During the internship, they received invaluable on-the-job training to include one-on-one mentorship and resume advice from the deputy commander, Lazaro Street.”  

The OWF program is a Federal internship program established by DoD in 2006. The program calls on Federal agencies to identify temporary assignments and opportunities for service members. The goal of the program is to match service members with opportunities that utilize both their military and non-military skills, thereby creating productive assignments that are beneficial to both the service member and the employer. The program represents an opportunity to facilitate service members' development and employment readiness by providing assistance with resume building, exploring employment interests and developing job skills through internship opportunities.

OWF participants are placed in host offices and assigned a supervisor and a mentor. Based on the participant's interests and the needs of the host office, service members may take training to further enhance their skills and to learn new skills. OWF strives to demonstrate to participants that skills obtained in the military are transferable into civilian employment.  

"After interning with DLA Distribution San Diego, I feel better prepared entering the civilian workforce after I transition out of the Navy.  The experience has been very rewarding,” said Fournier. “Had I not taken advantage of the OWF program, it would have been a culture shock to transition out of the military.”