Description

The Training with Industry (TWI) program is a work-experience program to provide an extensive exposure to managerial techniques and industrial procedures within corporate America to competitively selected officers. The Army Acquisition Corps offers this assignment to highly motivated and skilled officers in the grade of O3-O5. Applicant backgrounds are matched up against desired and required skills of the specific companies. Training received is normally not available either through the military school system or civilian university system.

Following the participants’ tenure at the industry, they are placed in a validated utilization assignment. Participants also incur an active duty service obligation of three for one computed in days.

Army AL&T News features an article on how the Training with Industry program brings best practices from the private sector to Army acquisition: Participants Detail the Multiple, Mutual Benefits of TWI

Details

Please contact Ms. Michelle Houston at michelle.d.houston4.civ@army.mil to request the application and also to submit your completed application. Application windows are normally June to August with a starting date of the following summer.

The Army’s Training with Industry (TWI) program is a one year work-experience training program designed to take selected officers out of the military environment and expose them to the latest commercial business practices, organizational structures and cultures, technology development processes, and the latest corporate management techniques. This assignment will be unlike any you have had or will have in the future.

The companies that partner with the Army in this training program are developers of innovative, cutting-edge technologies and/or established business leaders in their respective fields. Companies are adjusted each year to ensure we are capturing the best of breed in industry. Some of the companies that currently support the program are shown on the map below.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to active component acquisition officers in the rank of major to lieutenant colonel who are eligible for rotation in the summer assignment cycle. Majors should be KD complete and competitive for lieutenant colonel promotion. Discuss with your branch manager to find out if you are a good fit for this program.

How to Apply

Please  contact your Assignment Officer for further information on how to apply.

Resources

• Student Handbook for TWI – https://www.hrc.army.mil/content/Training%20With%20Industry
• Student Detachment, Fort Jackson – https://usasd.armylive.dodlive.mil/
• TWI Initial Training Plan (Example) – https://asc.army.mil/web/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/TWI-Initial-Training-Plan-Example.docx

Common Post-Program Views and Lessons Learned On Twi From Participants

The program is beneficial on both a professional and a personal level. On a personal level, it boosts confidence and provides a great challenge. It provides the opportunity to broaden abilities and improve knowledge of best practices essential for defense acquisition professionals.

You have an improved ability to interact and conduct business with industry by learning “their” language and understanding industry priorities. The experience may provide a different perspective of the acquisition process and, in turn, makes you a better informed and more competent acquisition leader.

Shared lessons learned from the program that are applicable to the Army revolve around problem solving and decision making, and that a culture of positive leadership is most effective to get through issues and processes.

Focus on the basics — lead, plan, know your mission, respect others, listen, and communicate well. These may prevent or resolve most of the problems in programs or business operations.

The use of best practices can reduce costs, avoid mistakes, help find new ideas, and improve performance. The TWI Officer must observe and strategize which industry best practices may work in the AAC and the Army.

The use of best practices can reduce costs, avoid mistakes, help find new ideas, and improve performance. The TWI Officer must observe and strategize which industry best practices may work in the AAC and the Army.

Contact

If you have questions on how to apply or to discuss if this is a good fit for you, please contact your Assignment Officer. For other inquiries, please contact:

LTC Ken Elgort
TWI Program Manager and Proponency Officer
USAASC Army DACM Office
Email:kenneth.p.elgort.mil@army.mil