CLAY COUNTY, W. Va.: Major General (retired) James A. Hoyer visited the Civil-Military Innovation Institute (CMI2) ‘s Adaptive Experimentation Facility (AEF) at Fort Andrew on Friday, May 31, 2024. During his visit, Gen. Hoyer spoke to the 26 Summer Internship program participants, challenging the interns to make the most of the opportunity.
“Whatever you think you want to be going forward, or if you still haven’t figured it out yet, use this time and the role you have to not just do the function you’ve got and the tasks given, but use it to make you better as a person and to give you more skill sets going forward,” Hoyer said.
Gen. Hoyer visited the AEF last week as part of the inaugural “Friday Forum” event. Every Friday throughout the 2024 internship, CMI2 hosts a dedicated session to provide time for additional learning opportunities. Focusing on principles of opportunity and responsibility, Gen. Hoyer voiced the importance of the interns’ roles at the AEF this summer.
“Take the opportunity you’re given and be successful this summer. I want you to think about what you’re doing – your role is part of a bigger mission.”
The 10-week AEF summer internship program boasts exceptional opportunities throughout the summer, including weekly forum events and two Summer Project Showcase events, where interns will share success stories, lessons learned, and best practices. The 2024 class includes 26 interns composed of high school and college students.
Gen. Hoyer is Senior Advisor to CMI2 and Vice President for Economic Innovation at West Virginia University. In 2021, he retired as the Adjutant General, West Virginia Joint Forces Headquarters-West Virginia. Over his career, Gen. Hoyer has been awarded and honored with the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the West Virginia Distinguished Service Medal, the Officer’s Cross of Merit from the President of Poland, and the Order of Merit from the Peruvian Army.
