Description
The Leadership Excellence and Acquisition Development (LEAD) program is the premier 12-month leadership development program designed to develop future Army acquisition program managers, that is centrally managed and funded by the Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office. The program offers board-selected participants expanded training, leadership, experiential, and other career development opportunities.
Key Dates
Announcement Opening Date: January 5, 2026
Announcement Closing Date: February 12, 2026
Board Review Date: April 2026
Board Results: May 2026
Orientation Commences: July 2026
First developmental assignment begins: August 2026
Related News
Year Group 2024 participants graduate from the Leadership Excellence and Acquisition Development (LEAD) program.
LaTrish M. Jones and Traci B. Williams were recently celebrated as graduates of the Year Group 2023 for the Leadership Excellence and Acquisition Development (LEAD) program.
KEEP AT IT: As leaders, we have to give folks the breadth and depth of experience necessary to meet the increasing demands of our profession. (Image by Gerd Altmann, Pixabay)…
Details
The focus of the LEAD program is to develop high performing and high leadership potential acquisition personnel toward a future goal of obtaining an Acquisition Key Leadership Position.
- Mentors: LEAD participants, along with their parent Command and with assistance from the LEAD Program Manager (PM), are responsible for finding mentors to assist in career development and provide guidance throughout the assignment period. A senior (GS-15 or SES) mentor is required. A roster of eligible mentors will be provided prior to Orientation.
- Table of Distribution (TDA): LEAD participants will remain on their parent organization’s Table of Distribution and Allowances (TDA) throughout their participation in the program.
- Developmental Assignments: LEAD consists of two Phases, both with a developmental assignment (Program Management focus). Developmental assignments in Phases I shall be conducted in the participants’ geographic location where they are permanently stationed. Phase II includes a six-month developmental assignment at the Pentagon for which TDY will be required and centrally funded by USAASC. (Note: Individuals geographically located in the Washington Local Area, as defined in DoDI 4515.14 Washington Local Commuting Area with C2, are not authorized central funds for the extended TDY).
NEW: Developmental Assignments Opportunities
New for FY26, the DACM Office has partnered with the Army Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate (G-TEAD), which nests under the Army Pathway for Innovation and Technology (PIT), to offer a six-month developmental assignment for eligible candidates in Phase I of the LEAD program as a Deputy Portfolio Lead. G-TEAD is one of the key organizations within PIT’s portfolio — specifically the acquisition arm that takes vetted technologies and makes them available through a flexible, rapid procurement platform. In short, the PIT scouts and matures innovation, and G-TEAD delivers it to the tactical edge. G-TEAD plays a central role in transforming how the Army acquires and fields technology, directly supporting Army’s transformation goals.
G-TEAD Deputy Portfolio Lead developmental assignment description:
Oversee day-to-day portfolio activities by monitoring progress against cost, schedule, and performance baselines. Coordinates across stakeholders to resolve issues, maintain alignment with modernization strategies, and ensure continuity of operations. Provides programmatic oversight that keeps capability portfolios on track for timely delivery. Collects and reviews program data to monitor cost, schedule, and performance across capability portfolios. Prepares reports and decision briefs, supports milestone tracking, and ensures program documentation is maintained. Coordinates with stakeholders to keep portfolio activities synchronized and responsive to regional delivery needs
To be eligible for the G-TEAD Deputy Portfolio Lead developmental assignments, LEAD candidates must be geographically located near the below locations. NOTE: TDY is not centrally funded for Phase I developmental assignments, nor is remote work an option.
- Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
- Detroit Arsenal/Warren, MI
- Redstone Arsenal/Huntsville, AL
- Pentagon, VA
- Fort Belvoir, VA
All LEAD participants, including those who are interested in the G-TEAD Deputy Portfolio Lead assignments, are encouraged to identify Phase I developmental assignments with a program management focus in their home station geographical region. G-TEAD assignments will require the LEAD candidate to meet with the G-TEAD manager to ensure a good fit for both parties. If not selected for the G-TEAD assignment, the candidate must identify an alternate assignment.
- Graduation: Graduation from the LEAD program requires successful completion of all mandatory program training requirements and developmental assignments, and application to the ASA(ALT) GS-14 Product Director Centralized Selection Board. Upon graduation from the program, the DACM Office will update each AAW professional’s Acquisition Career Record Brief (ACRB) to reflect their LEAD cohort year group. The LEAD cohort year group can be found on Section III of the ACRB.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet ALL of the following requirements, at time of application:
- Be a current civilian member of the Department of the Army Acquisition Workforce with Career status.
- Be a GS-13 (or high performing GS-12) or broadband equivalent.
- DAWIA certified IAW their current acquisition functional area requirements, AND DAWIA certified Practitioner in Program Management. Certifications must be documented on ACRB, Section X.
- Completed the Civilian Education System (CES) Intermediate Course or the Organizational Leadership Course.
How to Apply
The application process is located online in the Army Acquisition Professional Development System (AAPDS). To access AAPDS, please login to the Career Acquisition Management Portal (CAMP) and click on Career Acquisition Personnel and Position Management Information System (CAPPMIS). Once in CAPPMIS, click the “AAPDS” tab, then select the “Application Module” link.
The documents identified below in the Required Application Documents paragraph must be submitted in AAPDS to receive consideration. Incomplete applications will be ineligible.
- Complete online applications must be finalized and submitted by established dates.
- Late applications will not be accepted.
- Applications are subject to verification.
Required Documents
AAPDS pulls the latest version of your ACRB automatically into your application. Ensure your ACRB is updated and correct prior to submission of application. Applicants may update and correct specific fields of their ACRB using the edit functions within CAPPMIS. For the areas in the ACRB that cannot be changed by the Applicant, please request assistance using the CAPPMIS Help Desk HERE. Applicants should pay particular attention to the training, education, and assignment history sections of the ACRB, ensuring that the information is accurate. The training section should only reflect top level relevant training completed; recommend not including any DAU continuous learning training or annual Army required training.
The SRPE is a critical piece of the application. In accordance with Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) SRPE Policy and SRPE Guidance, dated July 1, 2020, the applicant’s Senior Rater (SR) is the rater of the employee’s rater. The SR must be a supervisor and senior in grade/organizational position to the rated employee.
The Command Endorsement must be prepared and signed by a General Officer or Senior Executive Service member within your command. Once signed, the documents must be scanned and uploaded into the online application system (AAPDS).
- In 4000 characters or less, please describe your reasons for applying to the LEAD program and the benefits the Army will gain by your acceptance.
- Clearly articulate your goals, desired career path, and how the LEAD program will help you achieve those goals.
- Upload your resume using this format.
- RESUMES MAY NOT EXCEED 3 PAGESand must be submitted in a .pdf format.
- This is the applicant’s opportunity to highlight educational achievements, work experiences, skills, and accomplishments, which are key indicators to the preparation for and success as an acquisition professional.
- Applicants should also highlight their qualities and strengths instead of listing responsibilities. Ensure experience descriptions and dates match those in the ACRB.
A Continued Service Agreement is required to participate in the LEAD Program. You may download the template HERE.
Selection Process
All eligible applicants are reviewed by a Best Qualified Selection Board, will will determine the suggested Order of Merit List (OML), on behalf of the Army Director Acquisition Career Management (DACM).
Contact
The LEAD Program Manager is:
Ms. Kim Gibbons
520.671.0128
kim.s.gibbons.civ@army.mil
