Donald Rozman - Fellow

May 20, 2013
Congresswoman Bustos and Donald Rozman
Donald Rozman - Fellow

After graduation from high school, Donald Rozman was ready for some real world experience away from Knoxville, TN.  One month later he joined the U.S. Air Force.

Rozman served for 12 years, which included an 8 month deployment to Afghanistan in 2006. Following his medical retirement, Rozman obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Policy Management from George Mason University. 

Through the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program’s employment assistance initiative, Rozman learned about the U.S. House of Representatives’ fellowships for wounded warriors and disabled veterans.  He applied and was hired for a position in the Washington, DC, office of Congressman Joe Baca. 

After the fall 2012 election, Rozman seized the opportunity to complete the remainder of his fellowship with Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. Today, he works for Congresswoman Bustos as a legislative aide, researching and reporting on issues relative to veteran and military affairs, education, foreign affairs, and homeland security.

“The best part of this job is meeting with constituents and observing the congresswoman doing the same,” says Rozman. And although he finds it a challenge to keep track of all the moving parts and the fast pace of a Congressional office, he enjoys the work. 

Rozman’s long term goal is to keep working in any capacity that enables him to help promote legislation that will improve access to care for veterans, an issue which he believes directly affects their availability for employment. He says the Wounded Warrior fellowship has been an important step toward acheiving that goal. “[The program] has helped build my confidence and enabled me to see that my military experience and skills really are valuable.”