THE PROGRAM OFFERED ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE RISK.
has built a standing roster of ACC- qualified employees ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
W
Civilian and military contracting special- ists are increasingly in demand to support critical contracting requirements around the world. Whether for military opera- tions, counterinsurgency, life support systems, or emergency disaster relief, con- tracting specialists are always needed.
The ACC Contingency Support Center serves as the command’s resourcing focal point for all contingency operations over- seas and natural disaster relief in the United States. The mission of the Deployable Cadre Program is to have the immediate capacity to deploy contract management support when needed. The command is prepared to respond quickly and effec- tively with highly qualified personnel.
Because of the overwhelming response to its request for employees, ACC could sup- port more than just the initial requirements. ACC reached out to the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) to provide deployment opportunities for ACC acqui- sition personnel and to support DCMA’s burgeoning operational contracting mission.
ACC and DCMA signed a memoran- dum of agreement in April specifying that ACC will support seven DCMA Afghani- stan positions on an ongoing basis as volunteer pools and Army contingency tasking allow. The seven positions consist of three contract specialists, two prop- erty specialists, and two quality assurance
ithin six months, the U.S. Army Contracting Command’s (ACC) De- ployable Cadre Program
specialists to perform duties in DCMA Afghanistan. Typically they deploy for 179 days, but specific assignment and mission requirements may require a lon- ger deployment. As of September, ACC had provided DCMA with 11 employ- ees to perform contingency contracting duties for DCMA, as well as to support ACC contingency requirements.
To establish a standing personnel roster, the center actively promoted the ben- efits of serving in the Deployable Cadre Program through command information channels and social media outlets. The financial benefits offered vary consider- ably, based on the deployed location. Generally speaking, volunteers are eligible for Foreign Post (Hardship) Differential; Danger Pay (except in Kuwait); and Over- time/Premium Pay, based on the mission (not guaranteed) for current OCONUS deployment locations. In addition, a Relocation Incentive may be offered for specific, hard-to-fill positions.
The workdays can be long, and the absence of one’s favorite coffee may be felt keenly. The noise of a Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system can certainly be jarring. But Cadre volunteers say that the rewards of volunteering for the program are numer- ous, both tangible and intangible, and that the work is so absorbing that time flies.
“The ACC Deployable Cadre Program offered me an opportunity to take risk and develop my skill set in a contingency environment. I was ready to explore another facet of the 1102 career field, and the Cadre program helped me take that first step,” said Kathy Valentine, a Contracting Officer assigned to ACC in Afghanistan. “While the money is great
”
being deployed, the knowledge you gain is priceless,” she added.
“To work alongside the warfighter is to see American’s finest who leave their families, go into the field at great personal risk, and still maintain a sense of humor. I have the deepest respect and admiration for what I’ve seen them accomplish,” said Lynn Roberts, a Contract Specialist assigned to ACC in Afghanistan.
The ACC Contingency Support Center continues to recruit for the Deployable Cadre Program. The program is currently open to ACC employees serving in the 1102, 1103, and 1910 job series. The basic eligibility criterion is Defense Acqui- sition Workforce Improvement Act Level II certification, although occasionally opportunities are available for individu- als with Level I certification. Volunteers are selected for deployment based on any unique skills or qualifications required for the specific position and the length of time they have been in the program, on the principle of first-in, first-out, subject to mission requirements.
For more information, visit http://www.
armyhire.com/volunteer.
COL JACK CUNNANE (USA Ret.) is Director of ACC’s Contingency Support Center. He holds a B.S. in business manage- ment from Plymouth State University, an M.S. in computer systems management from George Washington University, and an M.S. in national resource strategy from the Indus- trial College of the Armed Forces. Cunnane is Level III certified in contracting and pro- gram management and is a member of the U.S. Army Acquisition Corps.
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CONTRACTING
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