Morale, Well-being, and Recreation Internship
Department of Homeland Security – U.S. Coast Guard
Summary
This position is part of the Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation (MWR) Internship Program, which offers both paid and unpaid internship opportunities. The program is designed to provide students with hands-on experience in recreation, youth services, business operations, special events, marketing, and more within the United States Coast Guard’s MWR programs.
Duties
Internships are available at the following Coast Guard locations:
- Base Portsmouth, VA Base Kodiak, AK U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT Coast Guard Yard, Baltimore, MD Base Borinquen, PR Responsibilities As an MWR Intern, you will: Assist with planning and delivering community recreation and special events.
- Support fitness and wellness programming and outreach.
- Work with youth and child development programs (location dependent).
- Gain exposure to food & beverage, lodging, and recreational business operations.
- Contribute to social media and marketing efforts.
- Provide quality customer service to military members and their families.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and cross-functional team projects.
- Complete a final project or summary presentation of your experience.
Requirements
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or legal resident eligible to work in the United States.
- Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university.
- Must be able to pass a background check.
- Must apply at least 60 days prior to your desired internship start date.
- Must meet any physical requirements relevant to the location (e.g., standing, lifting, working outdoors).
- If selected, a suitability background investigation will be conducted for your position.
- Assignment decisions-including participation and continued placement-are at the sole discretion of the Community Services Command (CSC) or hosting command.
Education
You must be currently enrolled at least half-time in an accredited college or university. A transcript or verification of enrollment may be required. Some internships may qualify for academic credit-please confirm with your institution.
How You Will Be Evaluated
Applications will also be reviewed based on: Resume and education. Alignment with program goals. Availability and preferred location(s). Optional cover letter or advisor recommendations.
Required Documents
Resume. Academic transcript or proof of enrollment. (Optional) Cover letter. (Optional) Advisor letter (if seeking academic credit).
About this role
The Morale, Well-being, and Recreation Internship position with the Department of Homeland Security is based in Kodiak, Alaska. This position is part of the Morale, Well-Being, and Recreation (MWR) Internship Program, which offers both paid and unpaid internship opportunities. The role pays $0.01 to $15.00 per hour.
Day to day, the work involves internships are available at the following Coast Guard locations: Base Portsmouth, VA Base Kodiak, AK U.S. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.
Who should apply
This role calls for United States citizenship, the education the announcement specifies, and the ability to obtain and hold a security clearance. Be prepared for physical or medical requirements as part of the hiring process. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Morale, Well-being, and Recreation Internship position with the Department of Homeland Security in Kodiak, Alaska, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.
How competitive it is
Paying $0.01 to $15.00 per hour, this is an accessible entry point into federal employment and a realistic first federal job for many applicants. As an entry or assistant-level position, it is a realistic starting point, and gaining federal status here can open doors to higher-graded roles later. The security clearance requirement means a longer hiring timeline, so patience and an early application help. Based in Kodiak, Alaska, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on July 27, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.
This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.