LEADERSHIP PETRI DISH
CURRENT AND FUTURE LEADERS
The 2018 class of the Program Management – Acquisitions Internship Program, led jointly by USAMMDA and USAMMA, and program leadership celebrated graduation on July 23. From left are Dr. Tyler Bennett, deputy to the commander for acquisition, USAMMA; Col. Lynn Marm, USAMMA commander; Maj. Janessa R. Moyer, Maj. Jeffrey L. Brown, Capt. Efther V. Samuel and Maj. Amber L. Smith, graduates; and Col. Ryan Bailey, USAMMDA commander. Capt. Amanda L. Roth, who also completed the program, was not present for the photo. (Photo by Gregory Pugh, USAMMA Public Affairs)
With two Centralized Selection List positions on his own resume, Bailey knows what the committee looks for when evaluating applications. Candidates for acquisition positions should have the pertinent acquisition certifications coupled with related experience, and they should also have successful leadership expe- rience—all of which are available and highly encouraged during an assignment at USAMMDA.
“I would say that my selection for this particular position was based on my experience as a product manager, and then as a project manager, at USAMMDA as a lieutenant colonel,” said Schmid. “Tese two positions relate closely to what I will be doing as the joint product manager for the Chemical Defense Pharmaceuticals office.”
Over the past 12 years, Schmid considers herself fortunate to have remained involved with the Laboratory Assay for Traumatic Brain Injury (LATBI) acquisition program, which has been a prime focus of Army medicine during the last decade. In 2015, she joined USAMMDA as product manager for Traumatic Brain Injury before being named project manager for Neurotrauma and Psychological Health, overseeing the LATBI program.
Schmid noted that her time at USAMMDA helped to prepare her for her upcoming role. “Te entire work of USAMMDA is centered on acquisition,” said Schmid. “Being a product manager here gives you day-to-day acquisition experience in product devel- opment—you are directly responsible for the cost, schedule and performance of your program. But I also gained experience as a project manager, where you’re in charge of the oversight and strategic vision of the entire program, much like the joint prod- uct manager role that I will be taking on.
“As a project manager at USAMMDA, you’re offered valuable experience in making decisions on a programwide level,” she said.
“Everything you learn on the job, and from other USAMMDA leadership, helps you to understand how to prioritize funding, as well as people and their time, based on the products being devel- oped by the team.”
LEVERAGING THE USAMMDA EXPERIENCE Another unique aspect of an assignment at USAMMDA is that the command has billets coded for medical acquisition that allow officers to attend training through Defense Acquisition University (DAU)—a certification that remains critical for career advancement in Army acquisition and membership in the Army Acquisition Corps. Corps membership is mandatory for all Army acquisition, logistics and technology workforce members who hold key leadership positions. While essential requirements for DAU are satisfied through product manager and assistant prod- uct manager positions at USAMMDA, Bailey noted that DAU provides the textbook acquisition training while USAMMDA offers the on-the-job experience that links the process together.
Further, these candidates also gain the required experience in working to transition a product from multiple science and tech- nology partners in the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC), moving through the product life cycle to fielding, sustainment and modernization. Additionally, they work with contracting agencies to partner with the neces- sary commercial entities to complete the advanced development of these products. In doing so, they gain valuable knowledge in working within contracting guidelines such as cooperative research and development agreements and other transaction authorities.
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Army AL&T Magazine
October-December 2018
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