CIVILIAN WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE


While military members could see a spectrum of acquisition roles by transferring every few years on active-duty assignments, civilians are not exposed to the same rotation opportunities that would develop their knowledge base through experience, for example, to acquire large weapon systems—a complex and regulated process compared to acquiring other general services or supplies.


In addition, historical know-how is exiting. Te White House reported in 2022 that 30 percent of the federal workforce is eligible to retire within the next five years. “Without years of experience gaining the knowledge needed to successfully execute the variety of DOD acquisitions, or access to professionals with the requisite knowledge, young professionals will be at a signifi- cant disadvantage,” the MITRE report said. “Federal acquisition requires a unique skillset to navigate successfully so that govern- ment agencies can deliver systems and services that meet mission needs.”


Any effort to build the acquisition workforce of the future must align with the National Defense Strategy, which states, “We will cultivate our talents, recruiting and training a workforce with the skills, abilities, and diversity we need to creatively solve national


security challenges in a complex global environment.” And that workforce must “undertake a campaign of learning to identify the most promising concepts, incorporating emerging technol- ogies in the commercial and military sectors for solving our key operational challenges.”


ENTER DCTC Te Defense Civilian Training Corps pilot program seeks high-performing rising college juniors from a variety of majors interested in diving into DOD career fields. Tese students receive full tuition coverage for their remaining two years, a paid Defense Department summer internship and job placement upon graduation within their skill set and interests. Students are selected based on academic excellence, relevant experience, and an expressed interest in public service with the Defense Depart- ment. Te universities circulated the opportunity through their student mailing lists, receiving enough response to close it and begin selection after just a few weeks’ time. In all, over 300 appli- cations were reviewed.


Te first pilot group, Cohort 0, began in August with 94 students selected from North Carolina A&T, Purdue University, Univer- sity of Arizona and Virginia Tech with diverse interests not only


ROTC FOR CIVS


Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks visits ROTC cadets in August 2022 at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue is a participating university in the Defense Civilian Training Corps pilot program. (Photo by Lisa Ferdinando, Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs)


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Army AL&T Magazine


Fall 2023


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