The Department of Defense (DoD) is soliciting nominations for 17 military officers (O-2 through O-5) to serve as ambassadors of the Armed Forces in support of the 58th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP) Washington Week, March 7-14, 2020.  This educational experience for outstanding high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers in public service was established in 1962 by United States Senate Resolution 324 and personifies one of the longest standing commitments of the Office of
the Secretary of Defense to a national youth program.

USSYP military mentors represent their individual Service components and serve as role models for the 104 USSYP student delegates, two from each state, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Education Activity.  They exemplify the highest standards of decorum and protocol, facilitate logistics and movements, and assist USSYP staff with safety and accountability.

Each military mentor is assigned a group of student delegates for whom they are personally responsible – from arrival until departure – presenting a unique opportunity for these bright and influential young Americans to gain a better understanding of DoD’s mission, people, and interrelationship with the other branches of government.

Please provide widest dissemination of the attached announcement, as you feel may be appropriate, to ensure best-qualified candidates are nominated to represent each of the military Services and DoD with distinction among prominent dignitaries, Cabinet-level officials, and future leaders of our nation.