Clarification from the agency

Candidates must be graduate students currently enrolled in an ABA accredited Law degree program. Candidates must have completed their first year of law school prior to the commencement of the summer intern period. Candidates must continue legal studies throughout the summer and/or into the fall of 2026 to be eligible for this program.

The legal issues considered by DoW OGC are broad. While unique legal issues arise as a result of the national security and military missions of DoW, such as those involving international relations, military operations, the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the DoW counternarcotics program, military education, industrial security, intelligence and counterintelligence policy, DoW OGC also advises in all of the practice areas common to the practice of law by Federal government attorneys in any Federal agency to include constitutional law issues, procurement and acquisition law, fiscal law, environmental law, property law, administrative law, employment and labor law, information disclosure (the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act), government ethics, legislation, litigation support, and the review of investigations. Perhaps surprising to those not familiar with DoW are the legal issues arising from practice areas that some may not immediately associate with DoW such as healthcare law (DoW runs its own hospital and health care system) and education law (DoW operates its own K-12 school system for military dependents, as well as undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate schools).

Interns will be assigned to specific offices within DoW OGC or DLSA, such as the Offices of the Deputy General Counsels for Energy, Environment and Installations; Fiscal; International Affairs; Intelligence; Legal Counsel; or Personnel & Health Policy; the Standards of Conduct Office; and other DLSA offices such as the Offices of General Counsel for Washington Headquarters Service. There are few, if any, offices that can provide summer interns the experiences that are available as an OSW Honors Legal Intern in DoW OGC.

Summer interns in the OSW Honors Legal Internship Program are given considerable flexibility in their assignments. There are substantial opportunities to enhance research and drafting skills by working closely with OGC attorneys. Interns will assist in drafting and commenting on legislation, regulations, congressional testimony, litigation materials, and legal opinions. Interns will also have the opportunity to assist in the process of formulating DoW legal policy on high-profile topics of current interest. Our intern program may include visits to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Senate Armed Services Committee, military installations, Defense agencies and DoW field activities, and are all intended to familiarize the interns with the practice of law by Federal attorneys and the work of DoW in general.

Conditions of employment

• False answers or omissions of information on application and processing forms, or inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment, or dismissal after being employed.
• Selection for this position is contingent upon acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship.
• Positions require access to classified information and selectee will be subject to a background investigation.
• This is a drug testing designated position.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration)
• Total salary varies depending on the grade of the position filled

Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required for acceptance into this internship program.

Candidates must have completed their first year of law school prior to the commencement of the 2026 summer intern period in order to be appointed at the GS-07 level.

Candidates must have completed their second year of law school prior to the commencement of the 2026 summer intern period in order to be appointed at the GS-09 level.

Candidates must be continuing in legal studies throughout the summer and/or into the fall of 2026 to be eligible.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

DoW OGC seeks applicants with high academic qualifications and outstanding skill in written communications. Interns will be selected based on merit. Selection criteria include, but are not limited to: a demonstrated interest in the DoW mission, coursework, work experience, research projects/publications, and participation in extracurricular activities.

If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your eligibility.

TO APPLY, EMAIL ALL THE DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW TO osd.summerhonorslegalinterns@mail.mil ON OR BEFORE 11:59PM EST FEBRUARY 15, 2026. INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

To apply for this position, you must provide all the documents listed below. Each document must be saved as a PDF file using the following naming convention: "Last Name, First Name, Document Name.pdf." The following documents are required:

1. Cover letter. Indicate why you would like to serve as an intern at OGC. The cover letter must be submitted as a separate attachment to your application email and not as text in the email. The cover letter should also include your current telephone number and e-mail address. The cover letter should provide more detailed information on your interest in the program (list the OGC sub-offices you would prefer). There is no guarantee you will be placed in a particular office within OGC.

2. Resume. All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages showing all relevant experience. Your 2-page (or less) resume must be in PDF format, with no smaller than a 1" margin and no smaller than a 10-point font. If you submit a resume that exceeds the two-page limit and/or does not meet the margin or font limitations stated herein, your application may be removed from further consideration. Be sure to include relevant experience such as prior experience with DoW or another Federal agency, or legal work experience. Also, include relevant volunteer experience and extracurricular activities.

3. Writing Sample. A writing sample is required. A legal memorandum or a legal brief is preferred.

4. Undergraduate Transcripts. An unofficial transcript may be submitted as part of the initial application, but an official transcript or equivalent document will be required before a final offer is made.

5. Letter of Proof of Current Law School Enrollment. Statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating that you are a current law student.

6. Law School Transcripts. An unofficial transcript may be submitted once available, but an official transcript or equivalent document will be required before a final offer is made. In addition, if the transcript does not contain grade point average (GPA) or class rank, you must also provide a separate statement of law school class rank, GPA or an equivalent measure of academic placement, from the law school, or a statement from the law school that no such measures are in place. First-year law students should submit their law school transcript as soon s possible, once transcripts become available. Submit all other application materials (1-5 above) by midnight on February 15, 2026.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION MATERIALS (if applicable):

1. Graduate Transcripts. If your resume mentions graduate school (other than your current law school), please include a copy of the transcript from that school (an unofficial transcript is acceptable).

2. Documentation of Veteran Status. Selectees with prior military service are required to submit photocopies of their DD 214(s), Certificate(s) of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, covering all periods of military service.

3. Relatives Employed by DoW. Applicants who have family members employed by OSW or the Joint Staff must specify in their application materials the organizational entity or entities (e.g., Directorate, Office of an Under or Assistant Secretary of War, Staff Office or equivalent) in which these individuals are employed.

Once you submit your application, you will receive a notification of receipt.

All application materials become property of the office and will not be returned.

AGENCY CONTACT: Inquiries about this program may be sent to the OGC Intern Coordinator at osd.summerhonorslegalinterns@mail.mil,

Interns are generally ineligible for Federal Employee Health Benefits (5 CFR § 890.102) and retirement coverage (5 CFR § 831.201, 842.105).

Employees hired under the Pathways Program on appointments for 90 days or more are eligible to earn annual and sick leave. As provided in 5 U.S.C. 6303(b), employees whose appointments are limited to less than 90 days may be eligible for annual leave if they have previously served for a continuous period of 90 days under successive appointments.

Next steps