warfighter and supports
the U.S.-India
Defense Technology and Trade Initiative,” he explained. “Te agreement required intense coordination between DOD and the India Ministry of Defense, which resulted in the agreement being developed at an unprecedented pace.”
What do you do in your position, and why is it important to the Army or the warfighter?
I negotiate and develop ICRDA agree- ments that enable the Army to provide materiel solutions to the warfighter. Te goal is to ensure that Soldiers have the best tools at their disposal, and often those tools are developed in cooperation with a U.S. ally.
How did you become part of the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
After working several years as an inter- national policy and agreements specialist for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization, I had an oppor- tunity to join the Army Acquisition Workforce supporting DASA(DE&C), an organization whose personnel I regularly coordinated with and respected for their expertise. Ultimately, I applied for and was offered a position working as an agree- ments negotiator, which is the position I hold now.
What do you see as the most important points in your career with the Army Acquisition Workforce, and why?
Obtaining my Level III DAWIA certifi- cation in program management was an important accomplishment. Certification training provided me with a better under- standing of DODI 5000.02, “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System,” and how the development of ICRDA agree- ments plays a part in the acquisition life
cycle. From materiel solution analysis to production and deployment to operations and support, international cooperative agreements can have an impact on each phase of the life cycle. In addition to being able to potentially satisfy joint acquisition requirements, the cooperation conducted under international agreements enables resource sharing and reduces redundancy in effort, which saves both nations money and time.
Can you name a particular mentor or mentors who helped you in your career? How did they help you? Have you been a mentor?
Te former deputy director of the Interna- tional Armaments Cooperation Directorate at DASA(DE&C). Even before I joined DASA(DE&C), he was someone I could reach out to for advice. When I got the opportunity to work directly with him on a daily basis, I was able to learn more in two years than I had in the previous four work- ing for another organization. Te former deputy director took his craft seriously and always took time to ensure that he provided the agreements team with opportunities for professional development, whether that be sharing lessons learned, notifying the team of changes to regulations and the agree- ments development process, or encouraging his staff to continue DAWIA training and certification. I haven’t had an opportunity to serve as a mentor yet, but would love to someday mentor someone new to the inter- national agreements development process.
In addition to knowing that your work contributes to mission success for the warfighter, what’s the greatest satisfac- tion you have in being a part of the Army Acquisition Workforce?
I really value being a part of a specialized community with unique skill sets that have an impact on the Army as a whole;
however, the greatest satisfaction I have in being a part of the Army Acquisition Workforce is providing assistance to the warfighter. As a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I fully understand the importance of having the material capa- bilities required to perform your job. As a civilian, I like to think that I aid the effort to provide the warfighter with what they need through development of ICRDA agreements. Te cooperation afforded by international agreements helps fulfill warfighter requirements and, at the same time, allows the U.S. Army to leverage foreign funding and technology. Tat represents tremendous cost savings for the United States, which is significant, consid- ering current defense budget constraints.
If you could break the rules or make the rules, what would you change or do?
Although the international agreements we develop enable cost-sharing with our foreign partners, funding sometimes can be a challenge—especially when there is no money allocated for collaborative proj- ects. If I could change anything, I would increase the number of programs that offer research and development funds to help kick-start new projects and keep them running until proponents are able to fund and sustain those projects.
What advice would you give to some- one who aspires to a career similar to yours?
Although your career path may not directly lead you to where you want to be, stay motivated and continue to strive for opportunities to perform work that inter- ests you, and chances are you will find a job that will provide you with both per- sonal and professional fulfillment.
—MS. SUSAN L. FOLLETT
ASC.ARMY.MIL
13
ACQUISITION
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