WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
similar, but for the civilian population.”
helped with research and writing white papers on defense-related topics such as supply chain issues, areas of new focus, etc.”
Ronald R. Richardson Jr., the Army DACM, said it’s not just the Army that benefits from an exchange program with industry. Te individual benefits, too. “Having the opportunity to embed with an organization outside of government, and learn how they do business, helps our professionals grow their business acumen and leadership mindset,” he said.
Tis experience has been especially helpful to Raftery in his new position with PEO EIS. “Perhaps the biggest takeaway is a general understanding and awareness of cloud computing concepts and services. Parts of my current portfolio are in or moving to the Army cloud, part of which is in AWS. Familiarity with specific services and pricing principles is very useful,” he said.
What’s unique about the PPTE program is that there is also the opportunity for industry participants to perform an assignment with a DOD host, Faria said. “If an Army organization wishes to host an individual from industry, the organization can contact the DACM Office for further information,” she said.
STRENGTH IN SUPPORT Leadership and supervisor support is key to ensuring future Army acquisition leaders have the opportunity to participate in the program. While six months is a commitment not only for the individual but also for the participant’s organization, the experi- ence provides a long-term benefit to the workforce and the Army.
“We need to strengthen and maintain our relationships with our industry partners,” said Richardson. “Our mission is to never put our Soldiers in a fair fight. While our Army is innovative and is more agile than ever, it’s industry, including small businesses
the Training With Industry program for our military members, PPTE is
“If you’re familiar with
and nontraditional defense contractors, that are very forward- thinking and leveraging the latest and greatest in technological advancements. We need to optimize those relationships.”
Participants like Chung believe strong support from the organi- zation and its leaders is all the more important in order for the participant to get the most out of the experience.
“Programs like [PPTE] expand our knowledge of the defense industry as a whole and reminds me why my work is important within the overall DOD perspective,” said Chung. “It was inter- esting for me to understand how issues, solutions and topics go to Congress for debates and eventually work itself into policy.”
CONCLUSION Applications for the DOD PPTE program open once per year, typically early fall. While assignment locations vary, assignments are often made based on the needs of the participant and the requirements of the industry partner. If a participant is not able to perform the assignment at the industry site because of travel or temporary duty requirements, there may be the opportunity to telework and perform a virtual assignment.
“Te Army is focused on developing the digital acumen of its Army Acquisition Workforce, and the Army DACM Office is leveraging PPTE to further that goal,” said Faria. “For the next program cycle, we are working with our partners at U.S. Combat Capabilities Development Command and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Data, Engineering and Software Office on a pilot program specifically designed for Army Acquisition Workforce digital engineers. We look forward to continuing to grow the program to meet Army priorities and the needs of our workforce.”
For more information on DOD PPTE, including how to apply, go to
https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/ dod-ppte.
STEFANIE PIDGEON is the Communications Branch chief in the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center’s DACM Office. She has worked in strategic communications and public affairs for DOD and the U.S. Army for more than a decade. She holds a Master of Mass Communication in integrated communications from the University of South Carolina, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Winthrop University.
https://asc.ar my.mil
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