An Army Special Forces officer who advocates for veterans’ mental health has been appointed to the 2024–2025 class of White House Fellows, a highly selective program for leaders who are committed to public service.

Maj. Nicholas Dockery is placed at the Office of the First Lady: Joining Forces Initiative, the White House said. Joining Forces is a White House initiative to support military families, including families of service members and veterans, caregivers and survivors. Its focus areas include employment and entrepreneurship, military child education, and health and well-being.

Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows program offers “exceptional young leaders first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government,” the White House said in its announcement.

Fellows spend a year working with senior White House staff, cabinet secretaries and other top government officials. They are chosen based on evidence-backed criteria, including professional accomplishments, leadership skills and commitment to public service. 

In addition to Dockery, two other members of the 2024–2025 class of White House Fellows have served in the U.S. military, both in the Navy. There are 15 people in the class.

Dockery, who has served in the infantry and special operations communities, is a 2011 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. He deployed to several combat zones and operational areas across the world during his service, earning two Silver Stars, the nation’s third-highest award for valor, and two Purple Hearts.

Previously, Dockery was a research fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point and an adviser to the Military Times Charitable Foundation.

Dockery, the Military Times 2022 Soldier of the Year, also has received the West Point Nininger Award for Valor at Arms and the General Douglas Macarthur Leadership Award. He holds a master’s degree in public policy from Yale University.

Passionate about helping fellow veterans cope with post-traumatic stress disorder, Dockery is an advocate for equine therapy.

Applications for the 2025–2026 fellowship program will be accepted starting Nov. 1.

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