Defense Logistics Agency | Operation Warfighter Frequently Asked Questions (OWF FAQ) 

Crafted by J1 HR Operations Management Targeted Recruitment | March 2024 

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DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Frequently Asked Questions for Operation 

Warfighter(OWF FAQ)

What is the OWF Program?

Operation Warfighter (OWF) is a Department of Defense sponsored, unpaid internship program that 

matches qualified wounded, ill, and injured service members with non-funded federal internships for

them to gain valuable work experience during their recovery and rehabilitation. This process assists with 

the service members’ reintegration to duty, or transition into the civilian work environment where they 

can employ their newly acquired skills in a non-military work setting.

Must the organization have a vacant Full Time Equivalent (FTE) to

participate in the program?

No, an FTE position is not required. The Service member’s pay and benefits remain provided by the

military while they are detailed to the organization.

Who are the players in DLA’s OWF program and what are their roles?

Supervisors are typically a hiring manager who may assign an intern to an OWF On-site Advisor or serve 

as the On-site Advisor themselves.

OWF On-site Advisors serve asthe intern’s “supervisor” during program participation and may or may not 

be a supervisor within the organization.

OWF Interns are a wounded or recovering Service member (WRSM) who has been both medically and 

command cleared to par�cipate in the program.

OWF Regional Coordinators are non-DLA civilian representatives who work with the military branches,

Federal agencies, and private sector companies in their regional military installations and com- munities 

to identify internship opportunities available to WRSMs.

WRSM Support Coordinators – personnel at major Service treatment facilities or units (Army Soldier 

Recovery Unit (SRU), Navy Wounded Warrior Program (WWP), Marine Wounded Warrior Regiment 

(WWR), or Air Force/Space Force Warrior Transition Unit (WTU)) who provide personal support to

wounded or recovering Service members (WRSM) who require at least six months of rehabilitative care

and complex medical management.

Does an internship guarantee employment?

No, participation in the program does not guarantee employment with DLA. Of course, the goal is to

place the OWF if they transition from the military and a position is available for which they qualify.
Defense Logistics Agency | Operation Warfighter Frequently Asked Questions (OWF FAQ) 

Crafted by J1 HR Operations Management Targeted Recruitment | March 2024 

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DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

What is the process for requesting an intern?

The managershould contact the OWF Regional Coordinator to submit an Intern Request

Form which details the responsibilities, requirements, and desired qualifications. The

OWF Regional Coordinator will then review the request and match it to cleared OWF participants.

May the intern work nights, holidays, or overtime hours?

No, the intern’s work schedule will be determined prior to coming onboard. Interns will not be

authorized to work nights, holidays, or overtime hours.

Is the HR Specialist involved in bringing an OWF onboard?

The intern is not assigned to DLA, so no paperwork is processed. The DLA Human Resources Services 

office is involved only if a non-sensitive background investigation is required.

Must the OWF intern meet the OPM qualification requirements for the 

duties listed on the Intern Request Form?

No, there is no requirement for the intern to meet OPM qualification requirements. The internship is

essentially a detail with the intent of allowing the intern to gain valuable experience while recuperating.

However, if the organization wants to place the intern in a position after they transition from the 

military, OPM qualification requirements MUST be met.

Does submitting a request guarantee placement of an intern?

No. There are several reasons for this:

o The demand for OWF interns has increased as agencies suffer budget shor�alls, but the supply of 

Service members has stayed the same or slightly decreased.

o The majority of OWF par�cipants are looking for non-administra�ve type positions.

o Once the Service member is medically cleared to par�cipate in the program, the Service may decide

to have them perform light duty work within the unit rather than interning.

o The Services are allowing Service members to recover close to home whenever possible which decreases the number of par�cipants available near Service installa�ons and other DLA manned areas.

o Some Service members elect to intern at agencies where there is a guarantee of permanent

placement or an aligned position for the internship to transition into.

What should the on-site advisor or do if an OWF intern does not show up 

for a scheduled interview?

Contact the WRSM Support Coordinator or OWF Regional Coordinator, depending upon which office 

forwarded the resume, immediately.
Defense Logistics Agency | Operation Warfighter Frequently Asked Questions (OWF FAQ) 

Crafted by J1 HR Operations Management Targeted Recruitment | March 2024 

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DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

What should the on-site advisor do if the intern is not reporting 

to work as scheduled?

First, they should address the issue with the intern. If the problem persists, they should

then contact the WRSM Support Coordinator or OWF Regional Coordinator, which ever one signed the

placement form.

Can an internship be terminated?

Yes, the internship can be terminated at any time by either the organization or the intern. However, the

on-site advisor cannot terminate the internship without a written justification and prior discussion with

the intern concerning their performance or other issues.

If the OWF intern has issues or problems with the assignment, what should 

they do?

The intern should immediately discuss the issue with the on-site advisor. If it is not resolved, they may

then contact their WRSM Support Coordinator or OWF Regional Coordinator.

What should the intern do if they are unable to report to work as 

scheduled?

The intern should notify the on-site advisor as soon as possible, either through written (email or text) or 

verbal (phone call) means.

What are the intern’s responsibilities?

The interns are responsible for:

o Performing the du�es listed in Part D of the Opera�on Warfighter Placement Form.

o Observing all workplace rules, including those rela�ng to conduct, safety, honesty, integrity,

discrimina�on, and confiden�ality of records.

o Discussing their career and/or educa�onal goals and what they hope to gain from the internship with

their on-site advisor.

o Trea�ng the internship as if it were an actual job.

What should the on-site advisor do before the intern comes onboard?

The on-site advisor should:

o Work with their HR Servicing Team Supervisor to ini�ate the background inves�ga�on, if necessary.

o Coordinate with the appropriate offices to install phone and computer equipment as necessary.

o Request workplace accommoda�ons if necessary.
 

Defense Logistics Agency | Operation Warfighter Frequently Asked Questions (OWF FAQ) 

Crafted by J1 HR Operations Management Targeted Recruitment | March 2024 

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DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

What should the on-site advisor do after the intern comes 

onboard?

The on-site advisor should:

o Work with the intern to cra� the Intern Development Plan (IDP) within the required timeframe. 

o Clearly explain the du�es, responsibili�es, work assignments and all workplace rules, including those 

rela�ng to conduct, safety, honesty, integrity, discrimina�on, and confiden�ality of records.

o Ensure the work schedule does not interfere with the intern’s treatment and rehabilita�on schedule.

o Provide guidance and mentoring.

o Conduct periodic feedback and performance reviews.

o Work with the intern to address any issues, concerns, or ques�ons related to the internship.

o Escalate issues that are not resolved, a�er talking with the intern, to the OWF Regional Coordinator 

or WRSM Support Coordinator, if necessary.

o Complete required program reports, forms, and evalua�ons.

What are the on-site advisors’ responsibilities when the intern leaves?

The on-site advisor should:

o Determine the appropriate level of recogni�on for the intern based on the OWF Recogni�on

Guidelines.

o No�fy the organiza�on OWF Regional Coordinator of the intern’s departure.

o Complete the online Employer Exit Interview.

How do I contact the OWF Regional Coordinators?

The OWF Regional Coordinators are aligned with mul�ple states, and their contact map and other 

useful informa�on can be found at: htps://warriorcare.dodlive.mil/Care-Coordina�on/opera�onwarfighter/