A selection of Army acquisition NCO education and training programs
Defense Acquisition University Training
The Defense Acquisition University 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.
ETHICS
Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) members are required to complete ethics training every calendar year. Options to meet the requirement include: Attend any installation or organizational judge advocate general-sponsored ethics training (ETH 004); Overview of Acquisition Ethics (CLM 003) – DAU Continuous Learning Module; Ethics at Work (HBS 415) – DAU Continuous Learning Module; or watch the 16-minute DAU online Ethics Video (ETH 004).
Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP)
The Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP) provides tuition assistance, including laboratory and technology fees, to eligible Army acquisition workforce members pursuing acquisition, technical and business-related courses towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree in an acquisition, technical and business-related discipline. ATAP will also fund courses that are acquisition, technical or business related that are not towards a degree or a declared discipline. ATAP will not fund books or any other fees outside of laboratory and technology fees. A Service Agreement is incurred as part of participating in the ATAP Program.
Eligibility:
Acquisition Workforce with exceptions (All civilian grades/military NCOs)
Announcement Dates:
June 3 – July 15, 2025
NCO Advanced Civil Schooling Program
The ACS program provides opportunities for Contracting NCOs (Military Occupational Specialty 51C) to pursue advanced degree programs at civilian universities on a full-time basis. Participants are chosen through an annual selection board and should apply for the program 9-12 months before the anticipate start date of classes.
Eligibility:
Army Acquisition Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs)
Announcement Dates:
Announcement Opening: Aug. 10, 2025
Announcement Closing: Dec. 10, 2025
Applicant Selection Notification Date: February 2026
Program Start Date: Summer/Fall 2026
Degree Completion Program
The DCP provides opportunities for 51C NCOs to complete a bachelor’s degree while continuing to receive full pay and authorized benefits.
Eligibility:
Active Component 51C NCOs seeking to complete a degree program that will enhance their performance as Contracting NCOs.
Announcement Dates:
TBD
Advanced Leaders Course (ALC)
NCOs that have not attended ALC prior to reclassification into MOS 51C will receive credit for ALC upon graduating the basic course in Huntsville, Alabama.
Senior Leaders Course (SLC)
NCO’s that are eligible will be selected by HRC Schools Branch to attend SLC in Fort Lee, Virginia
Master Leaders Course (MLC)
NCO’s that are eligible will be selected by HRC Schools Branch to attend MLC in various locations.
TWI is a year-long work-experience program intended to give top-performing NCOs extended exposures to industry management techniques, best practices, and technological innovations, as well as a view from the “other side of the fence.”
Eligibility:
NCOs with at least 24 months of Acquisition time.
Announcement Dates:
Opening: TBD
Closing: TBD
Applicant Selection notification: January
Program Start Date: July – August
For more information on the TWI program and how to apply, please visit the TWI NCO Program Page.
