Eglin commander named White House Fellow

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Lt. Col. Rob Lyman finally got the news he's been waiting for--his appointment as a White House Fellow. 

As the commander of the 96th Communications Squadron, Colonel Lyman faces challenges each day, but the selection process for this prestigious award was intense. The colonel is just one of 15 selected from more than 1,000 applicants and 30 finalists. The White House Fellows Program was created in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to give promising American leaders first hand, high-level experience with the working of the federal government. It is a one-year position within an executive department of the federal government. 

The selection came after a round of interviews at the regional level, which narrowed the field to the finalists. Those finalists were then invited back to Washington, D. C. for two days of interviews with a prominent committee that included retired senators, four-star generals and broadcast legends. 

"It was nerve wracking, but interesting to have interview time with such prestigious panels; interesting to have a dialog with those distinguished folks and intellectually stimulating to go into a room and hope to hold your own," Colonel Lyman said. 

The colonel's selection comes in what he calls "a big month" for the Lyman's. He and his wife, Nancy, recently welcomed a baby girl to the family. Colonel Lyman said personally and professionally, he's excited about the opportunities ahead. Each of the fellows takes part in an education program designed to broaden their knowledge of leadership, policy formulation, military operations and current affairs and are placed in an executive department of the federal government. The colonel said his passion is national security and wouldn't mind working for the Department of State, but he's open to anything different. 

"I'm excited not just to go back to Washington, an area near where I'm from, but for the job placement and the guest speakers we get to hear and learn from," he said. "Different trips around the country and the world will allow us to explore the different issues of the day." 

Colonel Lyman will move to Washington after his change of command July 9 for the one-year hiatus from active duty. Col. Bruce McClintock, 96th Air Base Wing commander, himself a White House Fellow in 2001-02, said he is very proud of Colonel Lyman. 

"He is an ideal representative for our military and he will provide his peer fellows from all walks of life with an exemplary perspective on life as an Airman," he said. "Rob will grow tremendously over the coming year as he interacts daily with senior leaders in all branches of government, from the President to Supreme Court justices. Rob's selection is based on his record of stellar performance but it is also a testament to the great people we have in the Air Base Wing and at Eglin." 

Colonel Lyman said he's looking forward to interacting with the other fellows during placement week, and he's hopeful the experience will make him a better public servant, something he'll take with him when he returns to active duty. 

"I hope for a broader and deeper understanding of how different issues are interrelated," he said. "Hopefully that will prepare me to be a much better and effective senior leader."