WASHINGTON Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said today that he is accepting applications for a fellowship program in his state offices for Iowans with recent military service.

“This program is designed to help veterans gain experience in the civilian workforce, and in this case, providing constituent services and outreach through a Senate office,” Grassley said. “It’s a good opportunity for the candidates to build a resume. It’s also a good opportunity for my office to have more eyes and ears devoted to serving our veterans in Iowa. I appreciate the experiences and insights that returning service members can offer to help identify the needs and challenges that veterans face integrating back into their communities. My staff and I try our best to serve veterans, but there’s always room to make sure we’re doing everything we can.”

Grassley would like to have two fellows in his Veterans Fellowship Program, one in Des Moines and one in Cedar Rapids. The candidates can expect to meet with veterans and service organizations on Grassley’s behalf, including visiting with County Veterans Service Officers, the National Guard, the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown and Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics across the state. The fellows also will have the opportunity to learn more about working in Grassley’s state offices, as they will assist with constituent correspondence and casework.

Grassley launched the fellowship last year with a Vietnam-era, U.S. Air Force veteran serving in Grassley’s Des Moines office as the first fellow in the program.

“I’m glad the first year of the fellowship was so successful, and I look forward to continuing the fellowship again this year,” Grassley said. “I encourage interested Iowans with recent military service to visit my website or offices for an application.”

The application is available on Grassley’s website. Hard copies are available in Grassley’s Iowa offices in Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City and Waterloo. Completed applications are due January 31.

Grassley has a long record of legislation and oversight to improve veterans services. He successfully pressed for the increased hiring of veterans at the Internal Revenue Service. After the recent Veterans Affairs waiting list scandal, he contributed to legislation, ultimately enacted, to make it easier to remove senior officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs for poor performance.o has worked to improve mental health services for veterans.