Last week at IndoPacific Command
By: Fsi Student Programs
Tags: Military, Stanford, Department Of Defense, Fsi Students, Internships

About the author: Jenny Forro’20 is an FSI Global Policy Intern at the United States Indo-Pacific Command in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is currently Political Science major at Stanford University.

In my last week at IndoPacific Command I find myself reflecting on what an incredible, unique experience I have had here in Hawaii. I am very thankful for FSI supporting and funding my experience as it has been such a unique opportunity. Not only is the chance to work at a combatant command, especially as an intern, so rare, but also my office and role here was very special. I have mentioned my office, the Command Synchronization Team, and the super cool work we do here in earlier blog posts but I haven’t elaborated enough on what makes it so special. My office is made up of three young women, all non-military, or four young women including myself. An office of all women that work for the Department of Defense is pretty much unheard of. I am so grateful to be a part of this team as they provide such a unique view and position on every campaign we collaborate on. From the analytic lens with which my team approaches challenges to the personal chats we have every day, the atmosphere of this team is a breath of fresh air, especially because this industry is incredibly male-dominated. Coming out of this experience, I am so inspired by each person I have worked with and am certain the wisdom and experience that has been imparted on me has shaped my future aspirations. With senior year at Stanford looming around the corner I am often asked what my plans are post-graduation. After working at PACOM I am certain that I will be happy in any government role that looks at foreign policy. The DOD is doing fascinating work in directorates like intelligence, operations, and strategy and the State Department is so exciting as they have the lead on foreign policy in steady-state. From this internship, I am also taking away a renewed and deepened interest in the Asia-Pacific region. I hope to be able to continue the work and research I have completed here at INDOPACOM both at Stanford and in my future career after I graduate.

My summer was so fantastic and was rounded out in a great last day that felt like a culmination of all my efforts. I got the chance to meet the Commander of INDOPACOM, a four star general who is so busy that he is rarely at the Command, due to a last minute meeting location switch from a large conference room to an intimate setting in the Commander’s office, with only four other coworkers. He asked us to introduce ourselves and I ended up chatting with the Commander for ten minutes about being an intern, living in Hawaii, and entering senior year at Stanford. After that meeting I was pulled in to the Chief of Staff’s office, who is a two star general and the direct boss of my supervisors. He presented me with military coins, which is seen as a sign of gratitude and respect in the DOD. I am so grateful for the people I have met this summer and the opportunities I have received, and that I now have souvenirs to remember my time at PACOM.

Not only has work been stimulating this summer, but the chance to basically have an extended island vacation has been pretty great too. Pro tip: if you ever get the chance to work in Hawaii, do it. The memories that I have made on this island with my roommate Carter and the other interns will never leave me. From jumping in waves created by off-shore hurricanes (shout out to hurricane Flossie), to breath-taking sunrise hikes, the many meals we have had while exploring the local cuisine, to getting pounded by waves while surfing, this summer has certainly been eventful. I haven’t even left the island yet but I already feel nostalgic when I see one of the almost-constant rainbows. I am certainly dreading my return to the real-world and have been dropping subtle hints to everyone around me to get me a job here in the future (the subtle hints are me directly asking people to please employ me lol).