The students who are selected as delegates for the United States Senate Youth Program are among the highest achieving in the nation, both academically and through in-depth extracurricular commitments in student politics, community service, athletics and artistic pursuits. Arriving in Washington, D.C., they are met by a cadre of elite military officers, also hand-selected through a highly competitive process, representing each branch of Military Service, including the U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserves. These officers called “Military Mentors,” representing educational and professional excellence, form a team that serves as guides, counselors and role models for the student delegates as they move with efficiency and correct protocol from one high-profile event to the next. Each year since the program’s inception, 17 officers are chosen through a competitive nomination package and candidate review process managed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. The nomination process begins in the fall with selection announcements by mid-February. There is no doubt that the bonds formed between the students and their Mentor leaders leave an enduring and transformational impact, giving the delegates a heightened pride in their country and a deeper understanding of the nobility of military service.
Last year’s Military Mentor team included JAG officers (aka lawyers), helicopter and aircraft pilots, foreign affairs and language experts, medical and engineering scientists, intelligence specialists and professors. Several officers had served in Iraq and Afghanistan in both combat and humanitarian missions. The 2013 Military Mentor team was led by Senior Military Mentor U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Julie Huygen and Assistant Senior Military Mentor U.S. Army Major Eric McCoy.
Interview with Lt. Col. Julie Huygen
What were your favorite aspects of serving as a Mentor?
Definitely the people — and I don’t mean the speakers. The other Mentors, the delegates, and the USSYP staff were my favorite “aspects” of serving as a Mentor.
Had you served in the USSYP prior to last year?
Yes, I served as a Military Mentor in 2012.
How did you originally find out about the program?
I received an email calling for applications through Air Force channels.
What kind of process did you have to go through to be selected by DOD to serve in the program?
For 2012, I submitted my application package to Air Force Public Affairs. Public Affairs decided which Air Force applications to forward to DoD. I then had an in-person interview with Ms. Adrien Starks, the DoD liaison. For 2013, I was not going to apply because I was deployed to Afghanistan and not scheduled to return until late January, and then my return ended up being delayed until early February. When I received the email for applications from Ms. Starks, I forwarded it to other Air Force officers whom I thought would be interested and a good fit for USSYP. Ms. Starks asked me why I was not applying and I explained to her my re-deployment schedule, and she asked me to apply anyway, so I did.
How were your expectations different from the reality of serving as a Military Mentor?
While I had high expectations, the reality exceeded them! Not only was it great to interact with the delegates, it was wonderful to work with the other Mentors and USSYP staff. It was an added bonus to get to meet the President, Cabinet Secretaries, and Members of Congress.
Did any of the speakers have a particular impact on you personally?
In 2012, the speaker who made the biggest impression on me was Ms. Gina McCarthy, now the EPA Administrator. She struck me as such a positive role model as a lifelong public servant.
Were there any particular moments or memories that stand out for you from the program experience?
I imagine that I, like everyone else, will always remember the electric thrill when President Obama entered the room, but, to be honest, my most indelible memory will probably be, in 2012, when we ran late and several Senators arrived early for the Senate Reception. The Mentors had to herd the delegates, in their fancy clothes, up Capitol Hill at a pace some might refer to as a “run.” When we got a call that a Senator from a particular state had appeared at the Reception, we had to pull that state’s delegates from the group and make them move even faster. Oh, and then there was the ride on Bus 2 (a.k.a. “The Deuce”) that involved passing around Mr. Microphone and having one delegate entertain us with his spot-on impression of President George W. Bush and having awe us with her spontaneous slam poetry.
What advice would you give to other officers going into the experience?
Be knowledgeable on current events and Washington news so you can keep up with the delegates. Bring comfortable shoes. And get some sleep beforehand because you won’t get nearly enough during Washington Week.
Are you in touch with some of the delegates from last year or in past years?
I kept in touch with a couple of the delegates for a year or so. I still keep in contact with several Mentors.
Interview with Major Eric McCoy
Major McCoy, what were your favorite aspects of serving as a Mentor?
I love seeing the passion of the student delegates. Every year, I leave Washington Week more optimistic about our next generation of leadership. From late night policy debates to discussions on the bus, the breadth and depth of knowledge possessed by our delegates, Mentors, and USSYP staff is always impressive to me.
Had you served in the USSYP prior to last year?
Yes. I served as a Military Mentor in 2007 and as the Senior Military Mentor in 2009.
How did you originally find out about the program?
I was in graduate school at Georgetown University completing studies for a Masters in Policy Management and received an email from the Army Public Affairs office looking for volunteers.
What kind of process did you have to go through to be selected by DOD to serve in the program?
Once our application was finished, including an endorsement from our supervisor/commanding officer, I completed a screening from Army public affairs, which looked at overall performance and suitability for the program. After the Army Public Affairs screening, I interviewed with a Senior Policy Advisor- in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs who is responsible for the program.
How were your expectations different from the reality of serving as a Military Mentor in the USSYP?
I was unprepared — in a pleasant way — for the level of organization and effort that goes into making Washington Week such a spectacular event. I gained a deeper appreciation for the coordination and logistics that goes into putting together an activity of this magnitude. I also was reminded of the influence that Military Mentors could make on encouraging delegates to look at public service beyond their undergraduate experience. Reading the reflection essays from our 2009 delegation reminded me that the interactions we have with our delegates over Washington Week, no matter the length, can have a lasting impact.
Did any of the speakers have a particular impact on you personally?
In 2007, my favorite speakers were Defense Secretary Gates and Sergeant Major Gainey, the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Secretary Gates provided some great insight into the collaboration that should go on between defense and other agencies of government. Our delegates have limited interaction with enlisted Soldiers during Washington Week so to hear the senior enlisted advisor to General Pace provide his perspectives on combat, leadership, and patriotism was pretty cool as well. In 2009, my favorite speaker was Associate Justice Ginsburg; I remember her being very frank and honest on the interaction between the judicial, executive, and legislative branches — did not expect the conversation to be so candid. For 2013, I was stuck between Associate Justice Kagan and Administrator Bolden; both were intelligent, passionate, dynamic speakers who reminded me, despite our periodic dysfunction, many of our nation’s best and brightest choose to serve in government.
Were there any particular moments or memories that stand out for you from the program experience?
My all-time favorite was in 2009 when we met President Obama outside on the White House lawn. It was shortly after the inauguration — definitely reminded me of being backstage at a rock concert in terms of the excitement. After his remarks and group photo, President Obama then shook the hand of every student delegate and military mentor. Definitely a time to remember.
What advice would you give to other officers going into the experience?
Semper gumby — always be flexible; things will change in a heartbeat — your attitude as a mentor is contagious to other mentors and delegates. Be prepared with uniforms and comfortable shoes — you are an ambassador for your service, the Department of Defense, and USSYP. Do your homework on the policy issues of the day; students are very well-read — expand your knowledge of current events beyond the Early Bird and your local paper.
Are you in touch with some of the delegates from last year or in past years?
I talk to 1-2 of my mentees from 2007. I am friends on social media with some delegates from 2009 and talk to some of the delegates from 2013 who have gone on to enroll here at West Point.