WORKFORCE
the U.S. Military Academy and at ROTC advance camps to introduce future offi- cers earlier to the acquisition functional area. Additionally, the recently established 75th Innovation Command will leverage reservists with educational or occupational expertise within critical STEM fields to support AFC. Te Army Medical Depart- ment (AMEDD) uses officers who already hold advanced degrees in STEM fields to lead their acquisition efforts by cross-train- ing them as acquisition officers with an additional skill identifier. AMEDD offi- cers can compete for centrally selected project manager and product manager positions for both medical and traditional acquisition needs.
My last duty as assistant program manager for science and technology portfolio inte- gration at the DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center allowed me to see first- hand the need for acquisition officers with STEM backgrounds. As one of two mili- tary personnel at the center, my primary duties could be reduced to one word: trans- lation. It was my responsibility to translate conversations involving our technologists (scientists and engineers), the require- ments community we supported, and the program offices where we hoped to transi- tion. Tis included participating in major tabletop exercises, doctrine reviews and developing operational scenarios for live test or demonstrations with the technol- ogy. Tis was especially critical in trying to align the efforts of our center with the Army modernization priorities and partic- ipating with the different cross-functional teams. While our center focused on chem- ical and biological defense, understanding the programs and technologies being developed by the cross-functional teams would allow the center to align its research efforts to better meet the survivability requirements for future combat opera- tions. Understanding how to make these connections, though, requires leaders who
understand the technology, the program timelines and the concept of opera- tions. Officers who began their careers in a basic branch, served as an assistant program manager in a PEO, and who have conducted rigorous academic research have the opportunity to serve as a bridge between these different communities, specifically assisting in communicating the needs of the warfighter, the processes of acquisition, and both the limits and capabilities of new technology.
In addition to roles within DEVCOM and the PEOs, uniformed strategic technolo- gists could serve CFTs by better linking the impacts of separate S&T efforts on the overall mission of the CFTs, which may support difficult decisions like funding cuts, program timelines and requirements trade-offs, increasing the overall impact of the initial research investments. To reach that level of synergy requires a dedicated effort from those who understand and can communicate the research, the programs and the concept of operations. Having officers serve as strategic technologists in various roles throughout, AFC can help ensure modernization efforts are rooted
in warfighter needs and aligned with the program requirements. Further, they may be able to support the efforts of the Army senior research scientists, the 42 flag-level civilian scientists within DEVCOM who help direct Army research in their specific fields. While these officers would not replace their civilian counterparts, their uniformed status and recent operational experience could supplement the efforts of the senior research scientists and extend their reach.
CONCLUSION Beyond the individual benefit to the offi- cer, this new program provides other advantages to the Army and its science and technology organizations. Te presence of an active-duty officer within a research group at a prestigious academic institu- tion creates a link that can be leveraged for years to come. Tese informal links bolster the efforts by ARL and AFC to better connect with academia, ensuring the Army can tap into these institutions and resources to tackle future challenges. Tis effort could also leverage the U.S. Military Academy process of educating officers in technical fields, conducting an operational
REACH OUT
The author has connected with scientists at DEVCOM’S Army Research Laboratory (ARL) whose projects are similar to his. (Photo by T’Jae Ellis, ARL)
https://asc.ar my.mil
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