My Experience as a Military Fellow at DOL VETS: Championing Change

by Major(P) Robert “Bobby” Ali

I started a fascinating journey over a year ago, a one-year CGSC Interagency Fellowship opportunity at the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service of the Department of Labor (DOL VETS). I wish to share my unique insights and experiences during this amazing time with you in this article.

My journey was broken up by various responsibilities and a strong sense of mission, much like the many chapters of an epic novel. Working with senior leaders gave me a rare chance to understand their decision-making processes and how they prioritized various tasks. My interactions with these leaders have helped me understand leadership’s complex nature better, especially when handling complicated problems that cross multiple policy domains.

In addition, I acted as a liaison and an action officer within a network of representatives from various agencies. This network was continuously flooded with multiple executive orders, interagency task forces, and departmental priorities, providing opportunities for idea exchange and cooperation on policy implementation. Our effort to carry out the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Partners Act in response to White House directives is a prime example of such a project. I was incredibly moved by the mission to strengthen and advance HBCUs’ position within the framework of national higher education.

Even though my prior military experience gave me a set of transferable skills, the novelty and complexity of these tasks made the job exciting and challenging at the same time. I was forced to innovate and adapt constantly. I was given a tremendous amount of responsibility. But an equally significant reward was the thrill of navigating uncharted waters and the fulfillment of making a significant difference.

Serving our veterans, who had served our country, was undoubtedly one of the most rewarding aspects of my time at DOL VETS. My experience in the military was helpful in these circumstances because I was aware of the difficulties our service members encountered when leaving active duty and returning to civilian life. Our group’s efforts went beyond merely giving veterans job and training opportunities; they also serve as a testament to our unwavering dedication to their success in civilian life.

Additionally, my time at DOL VETS highlighted how crucial teamwork and partnerships are to achieving common goals. One of the most important aspects of my job was building and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, such as the White House, other federal agencies, and even our staff. These connections played a crucial role in improving how well we all understood each other’s responsibilities, functions, and shared goals, which increased the effectiveness of our teamwork.

I have come to appreciate the opportunities, learnings, and camaraderie I have had as a military fellow. Our work was complex and challenging, but it was also incredibly fulfilling. We aimed to meet the needs of our country and give our veterans the tools they needed for a bright future. By learning from one another and creating enduring bonds, we expanded as individuals and as a group.

The lessons I learned at DOL VETS will influence my future endeavors. The experience has broadened my perspective on leadership, inter-agency cooperation, and public service, enhancing my professional and personal development. I’m honored to have added to the legacy of DOL VETS, and I hope my journey will serve as an example for those who follow in my footsteps.

Finally, my time spent as a military fellow at DOL VETS was remarkable. I have great pride in the work we produce and am hopeful for the department’s future.

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During his career, Major(P) Robert “Bobby” Ali has served within the United States Military Academy, 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, the 10th Mountain Division, 7th Signal Command, 8th Theater Support Command, and the Human Resources Command. He holds a M.A. from Webster University, M.A. from Liberty University and an M.A. from the Naval War College. He is currently a doctoral student at Liberty University.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.