Required DAWIA Training:
  • Defense Acquisition University Training
    The Defense Acquisition University (DAU) provides mandatory, assignment-specific and continuing education courses for military and civilian acquisition personnel within DOD. Its mission is to provide a global learning environment to support a mission-ready Defense Acquisition Workforce that delivers and sustains effective and affordable warfighting capabilities.
Senior Service College:
Degree and Tuition Assistance Programs:
  • Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP)
    The ATAP program is a tuition assistance program that provides funding towards the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) educational requirements for permanent Army Acquisition workforce (AAW) civilians and Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 51 Contracting (51C) Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs). ATAP will also fund eligible AAW civilians who are applying for required business hours towards Army Acquisition Corps (AAC) membership, bachelor’s or master’s degree. Eligibility requirements must be met (with exception) by both AAW civilians and MOS 51C NCOs at the time of submitting application to apply for ATAP.
  • Naval Postgraduate School Master of Science in Systems and Program Management (NPS-MSSPM)
    The NPS-MSSPM gives participants the opportunity to obtain a MS in Systems and Program Management within two years, on a part-time basis. Students take two distance learning courses per quarter for eight consecutive quarters. The Army DACM Office sponsors the program, and will fund the cost of books and tuition. Click here for additional information on NPS-MSSPM. Click here for additional information on NPS-MSSPM  
  • Naval Postgraduate School Masters of Science in Systems Engineering (NPS-MSSE)
    The NPS-MSSE gives participants the opportunity to obtain an MS in systems engineering within two years, on a part-time basis. Students take two distance learning courses per quarter for eight consecutive quarters. The Army DACM Office sponsors the program, and will fund the cost of books and tuition. Click here for additional information on NPS-MSSE
  • School of Choice (SOC)
    This highly competitive program provides civilian Army acquisition workforce members at GS-11 through GS-15 the opportunity to attend school full time while retaining their current acquisition position. The 18-24 month program is restricted to students attending nationally accredited colleges and universities and earning degrees in business or in disciplines that directly support acquisition functions outlined in the Defense Acquisition University catalog for acquisition certification.
  • Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
    Funded annually under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund, SLRP is designed to repay federally insured student loans as a retention incentive for civilian acquisition employees with critical acquisition skills. Any Army civilian acquisition employee is eligible to apply, however criteria for selection is based on several key factors, including acquisition career field, critical acquisition skills and acquisition educational discipline.
Leader Development:
  • Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program (ALCP)
    ALCP harnesses self-awareness as the tool for enhancing leadership, innovation and diversity development by demonstrating how individual preferences and behaviors affect the ways we interact with co-workers and are viewed by others. Program offerings help participants understand how accepting individual differences can produce a stronger group and a leadership corps that’s capable, collaborative and creative.
  • Competitive Development Group/ Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF)
    Established to enhance the leadership abilities of the Army’s civilian acquisition workforce, this three-year program provides leadership training and developmental assignments within the acquisition community, including program management offices, program executive offices, systems acquisition offices, and senior staff offices. Fellows also attend senior-level leadership courses and conferences, complete the Congressional Briefing Conference on Capitol Hill, and participate in operational experience training.
  • The Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP)
    This DOD program focuses on developing emerging leaders in the acquisition, financial management, and human resources communities. Open to permanent Army Acquisition civilians at GS-7 through GS-12, DCELP consists of residential courses on leadership assessment, team development, effective writing and conflict resolution as well as online courses on the mission and culture of DOD. Click here for additional information on the DCELP program.
  • Inspiring and Developing Excellence in Acquisition Leaders (IDEAL)
    IDEAL is a leadership development program for GS-12/13 and broadband equivalent Army Acquisition Workforce Civilians with identified leadership and supervisory potential. IDEAL prepares mid-career professionals for positions where they will lead people, teams and other workgroups.
  • Key Leader Development Program (KLDP)
    KLDP was originally developed by the Defense Acquisition University – Defense Systems Management College for the Missile Defense Agency and designed to address USA (AT&L) Frank Kendall’s November 8, 2013 memorandum: “Key Leadership Positions and Qualifications Criteria.” Under the direction of the memo, the program supports the development and sustainment of leaders who can operate effectively in increasingly complex environments and be better prepared to serve in Key Leadership Positions in current and future acquisition programs.IDEAL is a leadership
Civilian Career Planning Steps: