Green & Gold Aide, 2025
My name is Jessica Hammond, and I am originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2016 and was shipped off to boot camp 3 days after my high school graduation. I was a 1391 Bulk Fuel Specialist and ended up being stationed in Camp Pendleton, California. Although I never deployed to a combat zone, I walked away with many experiences such as being part of a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force as Combat Cargo to Chile.
In 2020, I made the hard decision to EAS out of the military at the height of the COVID pandemic. After getting the chance to attend a DOD SkillBridge Program, I obtained a technician certification through Airstreams Renewables in my last few months of active-duty service. I was offered a job after my service with Vestas as a Wind Turbine Technician.
After 2.5 years as a Wind Turbine Technician, I decided it was time for a change. I had found a job listing for the Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program and applied. I was hired in February 2023 and was placed with Congressman Mike Simpson’s office in Idaho’s 2nd Congressional District as a VA/Military Outreach Coordinator and Caseworker.
Since starting the fellowship, I have gotten to know the veteran organizations within the community very well. I have been able to participate and interview veterans in the district for the Veterans History Project through the Library of Congress. I have also put together a Veterans Resource Fair in the Magic Valley for agencies and organizations to come together to provide resources and information to veterans in the area.
I am so grateful and appreciative I took the big leap. The Green & Gold program has afforded veterans like myself a way into congressional offices. I have learned so much through this fellowship, made memories that will last a lifetime, and have met so many incredible and memorable individuals.
After completing the program, Jessica is serving as a congressional staffer for Idaho’s 2nd District.
