As the Army continues to navigate changes in 2026, strong leadership and critical thinking skills remain at the forefront to maintain a workforce that is comprised of the most capable officers and civilians.
Read More
Five exemplary Army acquisition professionals were inducted into the 2025 Army Acquisition Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Pentagon on March 4, 2026.
Senior leaders from across the Department of War will gather this spring at the Warfighting Acquisition University to recognize innovation, excellence and mission impact during the 2025 Warfighting Acquisition Awards ceremony.
The ECTDP are Army initiatives created to produce senior civilian leaders with an enterprise perspective.
The SSCF program is a 10-month educational senior leadership developmental opportunity sponsored by the DACM Office.
Training With Industry (TWI) fellows convened for their annual midpoint review Jan. 12-16, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia at Microsoft’s Innovation Hub.
The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is offering three new master’s degree programs for eligible Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) personnel: Master of Science in Acquisition – Contract Management; Master of Science in Acquisition – Program Management; and Master of Science in Financial Management. Designed for flexibility, all three 24-month programs are offered remotely and part-time, allowing students to study from their duty station without career interruption.
The Warfighting Acquisition University is proud to offer two new cross-functional training (CFT) courses for acquisition professionals: CFT-4010 and CFT-4200.
Department of War and private sector professionals are temporarily linked to each other’s organizations, where they can gain cross-sector experience and share innovative best practices—fostering better communication and understanding between government and industry.
DACM Hot Topics offers a monthly overview of timely educational and career resources for Army Acquisition professionals to enhance their career success.
Why DAU credentials are essential for today’s acquisition professional.
NEXT STOP, RETIREMENT The retirement process can be overwhelming. Being prepared and remaining well-informed about proper retirement planning can ease anxiety and help retirees adjust and enjoy their new lifestyle....
Read More
OPPORTUNITIES FISCAL YEAR 2026 DAU TRAINING SCHEDULE Keep an eye on your goals by taking Defense Acquisition University (DAU) training courses! The entire fiscal year 2026 DAU training schedule is...
Read More
The Army Acquisition Workforce is entering a new era of efficiency and effectiveness.
OPPORTUNITIES FY26 DAU TRAINING SCHEDULE OPENS JULY 17 Starting July 17, DAU’s entire FY26 schedule and access to apply for FY26 courses will be available. As a member of the...
Read More
Recognizing employee achievements through awards is a powerful way to boost morale and strengthen Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) culture.
YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF YOUR CAREER - CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Don’t let the winds of change knock you off course! As a member of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW), part...
Read More
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.
OPPORTUNITIES NEW DATE ANNOUNCED - FY26 DAU TRAINING SCHEDULE Originally scheduled for May 20, a new date has been announced for the release of DAU’s FY26 training schedule. The new...
Read More
AWARDS IT’S ACQUISITION AWARDS SEASON! In preparation for the forthcoming 2025 Army Acquisition Awards season, the Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office would like to extend a courtesy Call...
Read More
SWEARING IN CEREMONY Chris Young is officially commissioned as a major at the Direct Commission Course on August 16, 2024, at Fort Moore, Georgia. Embracing a new role in the...
Read More
NO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES Twenty-five warrant officers completed the Talent Acquisition Course on July 11, 2024, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to become Talent Acquisition Technicians—the Army’s newest Military Occupational Specialty, 420T....
Read More
Opportunities OPENING SOON – APPLY TO THE NPS-MSSPM AND NPS-MSSE EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES Two education opportunities for Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) Civilians are scheduled to open for applications March 11 through...
Read More
What's New NEW CREDENTIALS Five new credentials are now available to those interested in pursuing a defense acquisition credential. Defense acquisition credentials provide the knowledge and associated skills...
Read More
FIRST IN TAAS: Craig Gardunia, director at TAAS, presents Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Johnson with his BAIB at the school facility in Huntsville, Alabama, on Dec. 12, 2024. (Photo provided...
Read More
DAU TRAINING NEWS MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The third and fourth quarter schedules for Defense Acquisition University (DAU) training will open for registration on Jan. 16. Students can register...
Read More
BATTLE OF THE BAY: Service members from USSOCOM, Special Operations Component Command and International Special Operations partners and allies conduct a capabilities demonstration during Special Operations Forces Week 2024 in...
Read More
ONE TEAM: The AAW HCSP defined development efforts in three core components: training and education, action learning, coaching and mentoring. (Photo by Polina Zimmerman, Pexels) by Rebecca Wright The Army...
Read More
WHAT’S NEW? POSITION CODING AND CREDENTIAL POLICY FOR THE LIFE CYCLE LOGISTICS ARMY ACQUISITION WORKFORCE (AAW) On Oct. 2, the Life Cycle Logistics (LCL) Army Acquisition Functional Leader...
Read More
WHAT’S NEW? FY25 STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM – NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office is now accepting applications to the FY25 Student Loan…
A CORE CATEGORY: Contracting is one of the six major functional areas in the Back-to-Basics framework. Col. Daphne Austin, right, 410th Contracting Support Brigade commander, takes Megan Dake, middle, the…
CAREER MANAGEMENT UPHOLDING ACQUISITION POSITION STANDARDS As the fiscal year’s end approaches, this is a good time to check in on your acquisition career. Upholding acquisition position…
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT RONALD R. RICHARDSON JR. TRANSFORMING THE FORCE The Army Digital Transformation Strategy requires the Army to build a foundation for change….
ACQUISITION AWARDS ARMY ACQUISITION EXECUTIVES’ EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARDS There are still a few days left to submit nominations to the Army Acquisition Executive’s (AAE) Excellence in Leadership…
KEEPING PACE WITH CHANGE: Christine Mack, a trainee with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Rock Island District, logs in to her computer as part of her training program….
ARMY ACQUISITION AWARDS ARMY ACQUISITION EXECUTIVE (AAE) EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARDS Now is your opportunity to recognize the past performance of an individual or team who has clearly…
(Image by Nataliia Mysak, Getty Images) CAREER NAVIGATOR The push to equip the Army Acquisition Workforce with digital skills continues with MOREin’24. by Jacqueline M. Hames Last fall, the…
AWARDS LAST CALL FOR NOMINATIONS TO THE ARMY ACQUISITION HALL OF FAME June 7 is the LAST day to submit your nominations to the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame. The…
Acquisition workforce celebrates Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program 2024 graduates. by Kristine Faria Congratulations to the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) members who completed the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program…
AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: THE 2024 UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ACQUISITION AND SUSTAINMENT (USD(A&S)) ACQUISITION AWARDS Nominations for the 2024 USD(A&S) Acquisition Awards are being accepted through May…
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT RONALD R. RICHARDSON JR. BUILDING AN ACQUISITION LEADER PIPELINE To ensure a future workforce that is ready, diverse and integrated, we must…
WHAT’S NEW MOREin’24 CAMPAIGN – ACCELERATING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office is thrilled to announce the launch of the MOREin’24 campaign. This expanded digital…
TARGET PRACTICE: Two U.S. Air Force B-52H bombers take part in a routine training event in 2022 at the Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany, in support of NATO allies and…
by Stefanie Pidgeon FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Today, the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center officially renamed its Army Acquisition Center of Excellence (AACoE) to The Army Acquisition School, or TAAS. The…
TEAM AWARD: ACC-RSA Executive Director, Joseph A. Giunta, Jr., front row-center, poses with his team at the Army Acquisition Executive’s Excellence in Leadership Award ceremony at the Pentagon in Arlington,…
MAINTAINING SUPPLY: The Army Climate Strategy aims at establishing a road map for building resilient supply chains while also achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. (Photo by Cottonbro Studio,…
by Ashley M. Kestner The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) congratulates the Soldiers listed below for their selection into the 51C military occupational specialty (MOS)—contracting noncommissioned officer…
by Angela Sanson FORT BELVOIR, Va. — The U.S. Army’s innovative spirit and commitment to acquisition excellence were recognized with three major awards at the prestigious 2023 Defense…
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS: PM CCS celebrated 60 Years as one of the longest tenured PM offices in the Army. (Photo by Todd Mozes, Chugach) How PM Close Combat…
KNOWLEDGE THROUGH INDUSTRY: Through the PPTE program, participants will gain a better understanding how industry and government work together by promoting increased communication and the sharing of best practices. (Photo…
The Army is partnering with George Mason University to research new machine learning methods to predict future workforce trends and requirements. by Rebecca Wright Staffing shortages have become…
ARMY ATC: The U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center Automotive Directorate plans, conducts, analyzes and reports the results of developmental tests, production tests, and other tests specifically focused in the areas…
STRETCHING INTO THE FUTURE: (Photo by Karolina Grabowska, Pexels) Creating cultures that embrace the changing nature of work. by Mika J. Cross The federal workplace has undergone a…
TAILOR YOUR CAST: Employers need to tailor their hiring approach to fit the group they are targeting. Just as different types of bait attract different fish, millennials and Gen Z…
FORWARD FOCUS: There is no one-size-fits-all approach to implementing work flexibility or modernizing the federal workforce. Focusing on the data and how it ultimately impacts the mission will be key…
CHOOSE YOUR TOOLS WISELY: The hard work of transitioning the workforce to the new Back-to-Basics model is over, but a lot more is still to come with regards to communication,…
BUSINESS AS (UN)USUAL: The White House Office of Management and Budget re-entry plan includes a substantial return to in-person work. The plan seeks to “strengthen and empower the federal workforce,…
SOUP’S ON: Technical terminology can sometimes feel like a digital alphabet soup, but the Army now offers tools to help its civilian workforce members increase their understanding of the latest…
THE JOURNEY: Like any well-planned journey, digital transformation requires a clear roadmap and guidance. (Image by Ryan McGuire, Pixabay) The Army promotes a culture of learning by providing…
XM30 COMBAT VEHICLE: The XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, shown here in a conceptual illustration, will be the Army’s replacement for the aging M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. (Image courtesy of…
STRONG OBJECTIVES: From left, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Garrett Yee, vice president and general manager at GDIT; James and Craig Whitten, met in Sept. 2022, in Falls Church. Yee and Whitten…
MASTER GUNNER 2022: Brig. Gen. Doug Lowrey, right, Mission and Installation Contracting Command’s commanding general, leads Soldiers and civilians participating in physical training, April 4, 2022, to kick off the…
RAPIDLY ADVANCING TECHNOLOGY: As innovation expands in the tech world, the latest technology trends and developments will be vital for national security. (Photo by ThisIsEngineering, Pexels) A…
LOGIN TO LEARNING: Soldiers view milSuite login page on a tablet device. (Photo courtesy of milTech) How milSuite is helping shape the future of the Army and…
WORKFORCE IN PROGRESS: The Defense Civilian Training Corps is a pilot project intended to attract new civilian talent to careers within the Department of Defense. (Photo by Pixabay) …
The Army’s Pathfinder Program encourages college students to pursue federal careers in cybersecurity and emerging technology fields. by Rebecca Wright Presently, the demand for cyber professionals exceeds the…
STUDENTS ON A MISSION: The International Submarine Race returned to the David Taylor Model Basin in West Bethesda, Maryland, June 26-30, 2023. Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division hosts this…
The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center congratulates the Soldiers listed below for their selection into the 51C military occupational specialty (MOS)—contracting noncommissioned officer (NCO). 51C NCOs have the…
Army Contracting Command offers new training to get civilians and Soldiers up to speed on contract administration. by Stephanie Brown Reviews, audits and investigations tied to DOD…
TWI FORCETraining With Industry fellows gather out front of the Salesforce headquarters in San Francisco for their annual midpoint meeting, March 7-9. (Photo courtesy of the Army DACM Office) TWI...
Read More
ACROSS THE ARMY: Branches of the FMMP exist throughout the Army—another branch just launched in March 2023 at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, with Ms. Marion Whicker, Army Materiel Command executive deputy…
In March 2022, the TWI Fellows gathered at Sig Sauer to learn about their business practices and share information from their personal TWI experience. (Photo by Rachel Berry, DACM Office)...
Read More
INSIDER INFO: Brent Perdu, Joint Contingency and Expeditionary Services (JCXS) contract program manager, briefs Dominguez regarding the JCXS contract during his assignment with the TWI program. The DACM…
TIES THAT BIND: You’ve found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with, but maintaining employment in your career field after becoming a military spouse is…
The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center congratulates the Soldiers listed below for their selection into the 51C military occupational specialty (MOS)—contracting noncommissioned officer (NCO). 51C NCOs have the…
MOVING FORWARD: Maj. Gen. Faulk, commander of the 99th Readiness Division and the Army Reserve senior proponent advisor for acquisition, talks to a Soldier during the question-and-answer session of the…
FELLOWS FORMATION: TWI fellows line up in front of the Veterans Wall on Sept. 21 at Deloitte in Rosslyn, VA. (Photo by Rachel Berry, USAASC) Training With Industry…
LEADERSHIP: IDEAL focuses on developing leadership competencies that include modeling trust behaviors, self-accountability, critical thinking, collaborative leadership and active listening. (Image by USAASC/sorbetto/iStock) Competency assessment pilot measures IDEAL…
SUPPLIES TO AFRICA: A shipment of M4A1 rifles arrived in Dakar, Senegal, on Jan. 21, 2022. The ALE is currently tailored toward USASAC country program managers, central case managers, logistics…
A NEW CHAPTER FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT: The story of Army modernization in 2023 is a story of software development, interoperability and continuously iterated and integrated software products. (Photo by Getty…
Career Navigator Army Acquisition Workforce members don’t need to wait to develop their careers—they can start right away. by Jacqueline M. Hames Beginning a new career can be…
WELL DESERVED AWARD: Plaques are presented to the four inductees (and family members of the deceased award recipients) at the Army Acquisition Hall of Fame award ceremony held during the AUSA…
IN THE MIDDLE: A DASC is a middleman—located in the Pentagon, they can attend meetings and respond to tasks on behalf of a program or product management office, and then…
GOOD VS. GREAT: Credentials are intended to enhance an workforce member’s knowledge of a particular functional area—either through a broader understanding of the functional area, or specific expertise in one…
The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center congratulates the Soldiers listed below for their selection into the 51C military occupational specialty (MOS)—contracting noncommissioned officer (NCO). 51C NCOs have the…
THE PROPER TOOLS: The MSL degree program provides Army Acquisition Workforce members with the tools to think more critically about the acquisition process, advance expertise and become more persuasive influencers….
SOLITARY GRIND: Recent studies show that telework can expose employees to psychosocial risks such as feelings of isolation, lack of support, stress and overwork. (Getty Images) U.S. Army…
by Rachel Berry, Communications Analyst, DACM Office Hearty congratulations to Lt. Col. John M. Williams II, who received his Ph.D. in the interdisciplinary material science program from Vanderbilt…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (June 15, 2022) – Four GS-15 candidates from the Army Acquisition Workforce were selected from the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) project director (PD) centralized selection…
Career Navigator Overworked and overwhelmed? You may be experiencing burnout. by Jacqueline M. Hames In this era of side hustles and the glorification of workaholics, it’s hard…
From the Director of Acquisition Career Management Ronald R. Richardson Jr. New framework, better alignment. The Army Acquisition Workforce is now working under a new and…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (May 26, 2022)—Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Senior Service College Fellowship (SSCF) program’s class of 2022 graduated on May 24. Nineteen graduates were honored in a…
FORT BELVOIR, VA (May 12, 2022)—A recent analysis found an over 90 percent satisfaction rate among participants for elements of the Inspiring and Developing Excellence in Acquisition…
GROUP GATHERING: TWI Fellows from around the country gathered for their annual midpoint meeting from March 26 to 28, at Sig Sauer headquarters in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. …
SIMPLY DIVINE: The Virtual Seminar Fellows, meeting in person for the first time, participate in a teambuilding exercise at the Garden of the Gods, Colorado. Pictured left to right are…
PURSUIT OF STEM: Charneta Samms encourages female students to study STEM sciences. (Photo courtesy of DEVCOM) Creating a more diverse workforce, one person at a time. by Argie…
RISING INFLUENCE: Women’s roles have become more influential over the past decade, DiVito said. Here, investigator Dr. Keersten Ricks programs software to scan a lateral flow test to determine whether…
LEARN FROM THE USER: Soldier touch points were crucial in the development of the IVAS, and will remain an important factor in future RDT&E efforts. (Photo by Bridgett Siter) …
OUT WITH THE BATHWATER: Retirement brain drain is the loss of critical skills and experience required to maintain the workforce when seasoned employees retire en masse. (Image by Getty Images)…
ROUGH SEAS: The stakeholder network can answer a boat-load of questions and help workforce members as they navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of career planning and development. (Images by Getty…
We’re all living in an experiment about the “future of work,” but DEVCOM’s leaders say the real secret of the future of work is that it’s really…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Jan 25, 2022) – Four GS-15 candidates from the Army Acquisition Workforce were selected from the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) project director (PD) centralized selection…
DOUBLE TIME: The IVAS program went from a concept to a rapid fielding decision in two years thanks to iterative, Soldier-focused design, alternative acquisition methods and innovations that leveraged existing…
How the Army’s leaders can shape the workplace of tomorrow, starting today. by Ellen Summey The 40-hour work week is a relatively new concept in the history…
OPENING REMARKS: The Hon. Ellen Lord, former undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, office of the secretary of defense public affairs, records opening remarks for the TEDxDAU…
by Angela Sanson WASHINGTON (Dec.3, 2021)—Mr. Gregory M. Kausner, performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, announced the winners of the 2021 Defense Acquisition…
COUNT DAU IN: Spc. Juan Colón Otero helps count COVID-19 vaccines May 21 at the Comprehensive Cancer Research Center in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. DAU provided a fully embedded cross-functional…
ROLL CALL: Adm. Mike Mullen, left, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulated the author at the National Defense University commencement exercise in June 2010. (Photo courtesy of…
COMMAND PERFORMANCE: Quinn speaks about the transition from the military and how LinkedIn can be an important tool at the main auditorium of the NCO Leadership Center of Excellence and…
FAREWELL, FORMS: IPPS-A is shredding the Army’s reliance on paper forms for HR actions. The DA Form 4187 and DA Form 31 will soon be submitted electronically via the Personnel…
A SHOT IN THE ARMP: Spc. Cassandra Acosta, a combat medic at Fort Stewart, Georgia, administers a COVID vaccine to a patient in a community vaccination event in April. Vaccinations…
BETA TESTING: Elizabeth Wilson, DASA (DE&C), addresses the students in the beta session of the instructor-led training portion of the Army security cooperation enterprise course. (Photo by Cathy…
by Kelly Terry FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 28, 2021)—Twenty applicants were selected to attend the 2021-2022 cohort of Defense Acquisition University’s Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF). Those…
THE PATH TO SUCCESS: Army civilians have many potential routes to professional achievement, and the IDP can help them choose the best path to reach their goals. (Graphic…
A HAND UP: Living through a pandemic is a challenge for which few people were adequately prepared. It’s important to seek help when needed. (Photo by Staff Sgt….
by United States Army Acquisition Support Center FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 23, 2021) – The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center congratulates the Soldiers listed below for their selection…
By Director for Acquisition Career Management Office FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 11, 2021)—The fiscal year 2021 Product Director Selectees’ slating took place during a meeting of…
by USAASC The application window for the Senior Service College Fellowship (SSCF) Class of 2022 is now open. The Defense Acquisition University (DAU)-SSCF program is a…
IN THE ROTATION: Under the redesigned LEAD program, the entire cohort of fellows will complete a concurrent six-month rotation at the Pentagon, working as Department of the Army…
by Sarah L. Aubouin On October 8–9, 2020 a cohort of up-and-coming Army acquisition leaders from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey…
WASHINGTON (Nov. 10, 2020)—Hon. Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, announced the winners of the 2020 Defense Acquisition Workforce Awards, with the Army taking…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Oct. 17, 2020)—During the final week of August, the two Inspiring and Developing Excellence in Acquisition Leaders (IDEAL) program cohorts came together via Microsoft Teams…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Sept. 10, 2020)—The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center congratulates the Soldiers listed below for their selection into the 51C military occupational specialty (MOS)—contracting noncommissioned officer…
ONWARD AND UPWARD: The SRPE is forward-looking, an assessment of the potential for civilian acquisition professionals to perform in positions of increased responsibility, based on their demonstrated leadership skills. In…
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT CRAIG A. SPISAK For the Army Acquisition Workforce, training has continued in spite of the limitations brought on by COVID-19….
FROM THE DIRECTOR OFACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENTCRAIG A. SPISAK Modernizing the Army means modernizing acquisition. Craig A. Spisak Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center and Director, Acquisition...
Read More
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK: The Army DACM Office is developing a supervisor readiness portal that compiles information, guides and other resources into a one-stop shop for supervisors of AAW professionals….
Maj. John Nikiforakis, assistant program manager for the Program Executive Office for Soldier’s Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B), briefs 1st Infantry Division senior leaders on the ENVG-B in December at…
The Army DACM Office’s supervisor competency assessment results help justify targeted training. by Jacqueline M. Hames Knowing the capabilities of your workforce is key in managing employee talent—it allows…
“We have to remember that it’s people who do the work. Leaders have to deal with the human element,” said Holly Gregg, acquisition manager for JPEO A&A. What matters is…
A prescription for how the Army leaders can demonstrate emotional intelligence and communicate change better during a time of creative destruction, based on the author’s doctoral research and dissertation. …
Profile: Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office One in a series, ASA(ALT) at Work, which looks into ASA(ALT) organizations, what they do and where they do it. In…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 24, 2020)—The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center congratulates the Soldiers listed below for their selection into the 51C military occupational specialty (MOS)—contracting noncommissioned officer…
Congratulations to the 14 selectees of the FY20 Product Director Centralized Selection Board (CSB), which convened October 29 – November 1, 2019 in Ft. Knox, KY. This DACM…
By Susan L. Follett FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Jan. 29, 2020)—Putting together your career development plans for the new year? The new decade? Take some inspiration from editor and publisher Anna…
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT CRAIG A. SPISAK DACM Office, CHRA join forces to stand up the Army Acquisition Workforce Recruitment and Sustainment Center of Excellence. It’s no…
The Training With Industry Program is an excellent opportunity for officers. Here’s what you need to know before you apply.
The Training With Industry program expands and enhances officers’ knowledge of industry practices. by Jacqueline M. Hames Military and corporate business best practices are fundamentally different, and the barrier to…
The first cohort of Army Acquisition Degree Curriculum 522 is ready to graduate with a Master of Science degree in systems engineering management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey,…
By Susan L. Follett WASHINGTON (Nov. 21, 2019)—Stuart Hazlett, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for procurement, has announced the winners of the Secretary of the Army Awards for…
Thinking about an advanced degree? Think about ACS. By Staff Sgt. Kailey Good-Hallahan I graduated with an MBA from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 2019, all…
There is a new DAU Credentialing Program available to Army acquisition professionals. Expand your professional skills and open new career paths with DAU’s new credentialing program. DAU has rolled…
Pictured from left to right: Lt. Col. Olric Wilkins, TWI participant; Bill Phillips (LTG, USA, RET), former ASA(ALT) military deputy; and Lt. Col. Raaen Stewart, TWI participant by Ltc. Col….
by Susan L. Follett FORT BELVOIR, Va. (October 25, 2019)—The Sub Compact Weapon Team, part of the Program Executive Office (PEO) for Soldier, has received the David Packard Excellence in…
By Kristine Faria FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Oct. 24, 2019) – The Army Director for Acquisition Career Management Office has selected 12 Army Acquisition civilians to take part in the upcoming…
By Stefanie Pidgeon ARLINGTON, Va.—Students with the Inspiring and Developing Excellence in Acquisition Leaders (IDEAL) program visited Arlington National Cemetery on Oct. 2, touring the grounds and speaking with…
The Army Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office is pleased to announce that 65 Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) professionals have been selected for the fiscal year 2020 offering of…
by Kristine Faria Congratulations to the sixty-one Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) members who recently completed the Inspiring and Developing Excellence in Acquisition Leaders (IDEAL) program. IDEAL is a leadership…
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT CRAIG A. SPISAK Supporting the future force by building a more technically savvy Army Acquisition Corps. You can only get out of a…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Oct. 10, 2019) – Two GS-15 candidates from the Army Acquisition Corps were selected from the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) project director (PD) centralized selection board held…
By Susan L. Follett WASHINGTON (Oct. 7, 2019)—Hon. Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, has announced the winners of the 2019 Defense Acquisition Workforce Achievement Awards,…
By Michael Bold FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Oct. 2, 2019)—The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement is seeking nominations for the 2019 Secretary of the Army…
by Kristine Faria Students in the Warren, Michigan, cohort of the Inspiring and Developing Excellence in Acquisition Leaders (IDEAL) Program took part in a field trip to General Dynamics…
More than 150 active duty, Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers participated in the two-day, 2019 Reserve Component Acquisition Training Summit on June 13-14, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Army acquisition civilians complete DOD program, build leadership skills for the future By Kristine Faria FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Aug. 15, 2019)—Fourteen civilians from the Army Acquisition Workforce completed the…
Internship program gives participants a look at SOCOM’s approach to acquisition. by Maj. Jonathan Harmeling “Very few people will ever be able to say they have been here,” the U.S….
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Aug. 12, 2019)—The 51C Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Reclassification panel recently selected the following candidates for reclassification to military occupational specialty (MOS) 51C: Active Component Staff Sgt. Kim…
The pilot session of DOD’s 2019 Industry Exchange Program (IEP) wraps up soon with a capstone event at the Pentagon hosted by Hon. Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for…
Meet Cadet Jake Murdock, a rising senior at the United States Military Academy at West Point (USMA) who is currently completing a three-week developmental assignment with the Project Management Office…
Picatinny Arsenal is new home for Defense Acquisition University program. By Audra Calloway Until now, acquisition professionals at Picatinny Arsenal had to travel significant distances to attend Senior Service College,…
In the Army acquisition profession, leader development and talent management are key. Being able to identify, train and support acquisition experts as they move up throughout their career helps ensure…
In the Army acquisition profession, leader development and talent management are key. Being able to identify, train and support acquisition experts as they move up throughout their careers helps ensure…
Phased rollout of IPPS-A starts with U.S. Army Reserve. by Steve Stark Beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, perhaps as early as August, the Acquisition Career Record Brief…
By Michael P. Bold FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 8, 2019) – It’s that time of year: Time to reward the best people and teams in the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW),…
We have to know what we know, not what we think we know. Craig A. Spisak Director, Acquisition Career Management Above the door to my office is this expression: “IN…
Naval Postgraduate School lecturer takes case studies on the road to offer the acquisition workforce a rare immersive opportunity. By Michael Bold Defense acquisition is a complex, painstaking and constantly…
WASHINGTON (June 18, 2019)—The sixth annual Maj. Gen. Harold J. “Harry” Greene Awards for Acquisition Writing competition is underway! Lt. Gen. Paul A. Ostrowski, principal military deputy to the Assistant…
By Sarah Aubouin Scientists define symbiosis as an interdependent, mutually beneficial relationship between two very different species. In the Army’s Training with Industry (TWI) program, the same thing happens, except…
by Stefanie Pidgeon Kathy Lytle started her Army career over 30 years ago as a general supply specialist and secondary item manager for the Abrams Tank and Recovery Vehicle. She…
By Sarah Aubouin Talented, highly qualified professionals are central to the Army Acquisition Workforce. But while technical qualifications are important, we can't forget about the human connection. We connect with...
Read More
Spotlight on Success: Shawn Gresham Title: Product manager, Degraded Visual Environment Command: Program Executive Office for Aviation, Huntsville, Alabama ACQUISITION CAREER FIELD: Program management AAW Certifications/Qualifications: Army Acquisition Corps DAWIA…
By Susan L. Follett FORT BELVOIR, Va. (May 20, 2019)—We all know how amazing the Army Acquisition Workforce is—the Awards for Excellence in Acquisition given by the Undersecretary of Defense…
Beginning in the third quarter of FY19, the Army DACM Office will begin integration of an automated data exchange that will eliminate the necessity of the Acquisition Career Record Brief…
Policy changes are shaping the way we do business An AAFL is a fairly new role in the Army acquisition community. On Sept. 4, the Army DACM signed a memo…
By Joan Sable, Army Deputy Director, Acquisition Career Management (DDACM) On Jan. 29, Hon. Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment (USD(A&S)), signed a memo titled “Department…
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT CRAIG A. SPISAK Lining Up Your Goals Syncing up DAWDF funding and Human Capital Strategic Plan objectives will lead to an…
The CAS2Net 2.0 upgrade took 20 years, but it got a brain transplant for its 20th anniversary. by Steve Stark The AcqDemo Program Office’s rollout of CAS2Net 2.0 may not…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (March 22, 2019) Slating has been announced for the 10 members of the Army Acquisition Workforce who were selected last month as product and project directors for…
DAU-SSCF program participants visit Pentagon, speak with leaders By Stefanie Pidgeon FORT BELVOIR, Va. (March 11, 2019)—Participants in the Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship program (DAU-SSCF) visited the…
By Sarah Aubouin “Personal development is the belief that you are worth the effort, time and energy needed to develop yourself.” – Denis Waitley, motivational speaker Investing in training and…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 20, 2019)—Please join the Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) in congratulating the 63 Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) professionals selected for the Inspiring and Developing Excellence in…
Title: procurement analyst Command: Army Contracting Command/408th Contracting Support Brigade (CSB) AAW Certifications/Qualifications: DAWIA Level III, contracting Member of the Army Acquisition Corps Graduate of the Defense Civilian Emerging Leadership…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 6, 2019) Congratulations are in order for nearly two dozen members of the Army Acquisition Workforce who have been selected as product directors or alternates through…
Title: product lead, Headquarters Army Environmental System Command: Program Executive Office for Enterprise Information Systems AAW Certifications/Qualifications: DAWIA Level III certified in program management and in systems engineering Degree: M.S….
Military catastrophes teach IDEAL students about strategic planning and leadership. by Debra Valine Desert One, the 1980 attempt to rescue 52 American hostages in Iran, failed. America’s Delta Force, formed…
Thanks to everyone who took the time to complete Army AL&T’s reader survey. Here’s what we learned. By Army AL&T staff Ever wonder about the origin of the Army phrase…
As complex as its operations and motivations are, knowing how the commercial sector works is fundamental to being a skilled acquisition professional. By Craig A. Spisak, Director of Acquisition Career…
Career Navigator DAU’s handy-dandy subway map helps make it easier to understand contracting and find the right tool. By Jacqueline M. Hames It’s easy to get lost in the byzantine…
What kinds of skills does the acquisition workforce need? A new assessment and leadership concept aims to find out. by Jacqueline M. Hames Training and development are critical to the…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Nov. 20, 2018)—The 51C Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Reclassification panel concluded July 26 and selected the following candidates for reclassification. Active Component Staff Sgt. Justin L. Bowling Staff…
by Norm Hilton and Sarah Aubouin FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Nov. 16, 2018) You may ask yourself…what is the project director (PD) centralized selection board? This civilian-centric board is a high…
By Michael Bold FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Nov. 5, 2018)—The Army won four 2018 Defense Acquisition Workforce Achievement Awards, the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment (USD (A&S)) announced this…
Lt. Col. Thomas R. Monaghan Jr. Title: Product manager for Cyber Resiliency and Training Command: Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation AAW Certifications and Qualifications: Level III certified…
Chad P. Stocker Title: Product director, Army Watercraft Systems Command: Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support AAW Certifications and Qualifications: Level III certified in program management,…
Career management support to the Army Acquisition Workforce By Wen Lin, Chief Qualifications and Support Branch, Army DACM Office Let’s talk about all those burning questions you have. Ever wonder…
The MDMP: A proven approach for getting a “yes” on your next proposal to management By Greg Brewer, Meghan Dodge and Ron Frailer In today’s business environment, companies look for…
Kathy Lytle Title: Product director for Stryker Production and Variant Management Command: Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems, Project Management Office for Stryker Brigade Combat Team (PMO SBCT) AAW…
By Shannon Potter, AAW Outreach and Communications Very few careers have specialized universities designed to train personnel in the nuances of their daily work and for unexpected situations. Even fewer…
Willingness to be mobile is key to career development in the acquisition workforce. by Ms. Jacqueline M. Hames In Army acquisition, moving up might mean moving out—out of your comfort…
A vigorous talent management strategy keeps the acquisition workforce prepared to tackle future threats. By Mr. Craig A. Spisak, Director, Acquisition Career Management Predicting the future: It’s one of Army…
USAMMDA develops a reputation for growing acquisition workforce leaders. by Mr. Jeffrey M. Soares The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) at Fort Detrick, Maryland, is helping to prepare…
By Susan L. Follett WASHINGTON (Aug. 28, 2018)—The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement has announced the winners of the 2017 Excellence in Contracting Awards,…
By Maj. Sheila L. Howell, Army DACM Office Propenency Officer The summer brings many changes to our careers as military acquisition professionals. Chief among these are the many permanent change...
Read More
By Carol Vesier, Diane Alvarez, Paul Crise and Earl Heaps The authors are Army acquisition professionals with a combined 100 years of test and evaluation experience. As members of the...
Read More
By Scott Greene, Chief, Leader Development Branch The Civilian Education System (CES) essentially is the Army’s civilian version of professional military education (PME). The Army developed this multilayered level of...
Read More
By Kristine Faria, Army DACM Office Acquisition Education and Training Manager Congratulations and well done to the 24 senior civilian acquisition professionals who graduated May 22 from the Defense Acquisition...
Read More
by Jacqueline M. Hames FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 10, 2018)—The office of the Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) this spring announced the selection of three civilian women to run major…
By Dr. Bruce D. Jette, Army Acquisition Executive Army acquisition has an opportunity to make its voices heard at this critical juncture. A recruiting commercial for the U.S. Army encourages...
Read More
By Michael P. Bold FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 9, 2018)—The call for nominations for the 2018 Army Acquisition Executive’s (AAE) Excellence in Leadership Awards is now open. The deadline for…
By Michael Bold FORT BELVOIR, Va. (June 7, 2018)—A modernizing Army needs courageous and prepared leaders to help shape its future, Lt. Gen. Paul A. Ostrowski told graduates and new...
Read More
Mastering acquisition The DACM Office and the Naval Postgraduate School realign degree programs to boost technical education of civilians and officers. Earlier this year, I was in beautiful Monterey, California,…
by Susan L. Follett FORT BELVOIR, Va. (May 21, 2018)—Nominations for the 2018 Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) Acquisition Awards are now being accepted, providing the Army…
By Scott Greene This marks my fourth column on the civilian Centralized Selection List (CSL) process. Happily, we had our most successful results with the past FY19 board: 12 civilians…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (May 7, 2018)—The 51C Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) reclassification panel concluded Feb. 1 and selected the following candidates for reclassification. Active Component Reserve Component Staff Sgt. Kelly Collins…
By Norm Hilton Preparing for a central selection board is of utmost importance in an acquisition professional’s career development, especially the Project/Product Manager’s Centralized Selection List Board and the Project/Product…
By Wen Lin and Susan Clark Even in the face of mission needs—where there is never a “good time” to unplug for training— as members of the AAW…
By Maj. Sheila L. Howell What is the MAPL? Can I see a copy of the MAPL? Why is it a secret? These are questions we hear when it comes…
One of the simplest but most important ways to honor AAW achievements is through awards. In the previous issue of Army AL&T, I discussed different ways in which supervisors…
By Norm Hilton FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 14, 2018)—The Talent Management Board of Directors convened Jan. 25 to slate 13 new product and project directors. Jeffrey A. White, principal deputy…
By Maj. Sheila L. Howell, Army DACM Office Proponency Officer Happy New Year! As we start the year off fresh, we are looking for a fresh way to get you…
By Norm Hilton FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 5, 2018)—Thirteen candidates from the Army Acquisition Corps (AAC) were selected as the Army’s next product and project directors from the FY 2018…
By Tara Clements More than a month after returning from our first TDY deployment to Korea and Hawaii with the DOD Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), I pulled out my…
By Mr. Michael Bold DAWIA requires career-long education for AAW members; it’s up to you to make the most of it. “Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease…
By Mr. Craig Spisak, Director, Acquisition Career Management There are many ways to motivate our Army Acquisition Workforce Our work as Army acquisition professionals involves everything from helicopters to radios,…
Army DACM Office Updates Ethics training: It’s the final countdown! Seriously, it’s time to get it done. The 2017 annual ethics training requirement is due Dec. 31, so if you…
By Susan L. Follett FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Dec. 1, 2017)—The undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics (USD(AT&L)) has announced the 2017 Defense Acquisition Workforce Achievement Awards, and the…
By Tara Clements I remember very clearly answering a phone call from my director late December 2016 and being stunned at the news: I had been selected to represent the…
by Joyce Junior Eighteen colleagues from the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) recently completed the first ever Coaching Pilot Program, offered by the Army Director of Career Management (DACM) Office and…
In the absence of a single, unifying intranet, knowing where to find key resources is the next best thing. by Mr. Steve Stark When I came onboard as senior editor…
USAASC PERSPECTIVE From the director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center Community-built plan to take care of the acquisition workforce and, by extension, the Soldiers it serves “If you don’t know…
Army DACM Office hosts first career summit By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Sept. 20, 2017) – The U.S. Army Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office took to the…
More than 30 initiatives are underway, and we’re just getting started. by Ms. Joan L. Sable October 2017 marks the completion of the first year of a five-year Army Acquisition…
By Susan Follett FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Aug. 31, 2017)—When it comes to recognizing top talent, football has the Pro Bowl, baseball the All Star Game and Hollywood the Oscars. The…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Aug 24, 2017)—The 51C Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) reclassification board concluded here last month and selected six candidates for reclassification. U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) congratulates the…
By Tristin Maximilian FORT BELVOIR, Va.—Two noncommissioned officers (NCOs) have been selected for the Army’s Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS) program, offering the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees in acquisition and…
By Scott Greene Chief, Leader Development Branch While instant gratification is what people often seek, if you look for that with regard to certain education, training and high-level jobs…
By Stephanie Watson Acquisition Career Manager As discussed in our ongoing “Back to the Basics” column in the May DACM newsletter, where we dove into the “what and why” of…
JPEO-CBD seeks to reduce acquisition lead time through tailored professional training workshops with DAU by Mr. Jeff Megargel “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.” – Sun Tzu As the Trump…
CERDEC’s talent management initiative incorporates a new, enterprisewide approach to help employees reach their goals while strengthening the organization. by Mr. John S. Willison Two years ago, the U.S. Army’s…
AcqDemo and upcoming improvements significantly empower acquisition organizations and their teams to focus on contributing to successful execution of the acquisition mission. by Mr. Jerold A. Lee The most significant…
By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 13, 2017) — Thirteen acquisition career fields are undergoing an assessment across the Army acquisition workforce to identify competency strengths and weaknesses specific to…
This career basic helps acquisition workforce members keep track of what they need to do and when. By Mr. Robert E. Coultas Jobs in defense acquisition are unlike most others…
The AALPC primes program managers for success as acquisition leaders by Craig A. Spisak Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center One of the imperatives for a program manager (PM) to…
Here’s why you should reconsider By Shannon Potter and Wen Lin, Army DACM Office Let’s be honest. Supervisors have a lot of administrative requirements and likely are not looking for…
PEO CS&CSS makes a two-pronged effort to maximize the effectiveness of the SRPE and get the most from its workforce. by Mr. Scott J. Davis Last quarter, Craig A. Spisak,…
By Karen D. Kurtz WASHINGTON (June 26, 2017) – The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Maj. Gen. Paul A….
By Tara Clements Just before his retirement in March, we had the opportunity to sit down with Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson and capture some of his reflections after more…
By Susan L. Follett FORT BELVOIR, Va. (June 19, 2017) – The call for nominations for the 2017 Army Acquisition Executive’s (AAE) Excellence in Leadership Awards is now open and…
Crunching data provides clearer image of organizational diversity. by Mr. Thom Hawkins You can never be sure, when you look in a mirror, that what you see is what other…
Rotational assignment program develops and retains talent across the security assistance workforce. by Mr. Adam Genest and Ms. Carly Glenn In Huntsville, Alabama, Nick Curry’s bags were packed. He was…
JMC brings new employees aboard with its AMPED program to develop a workforce that’s energized, committed and engaged. by Ms. Erica Slattery, Ms. Heather Tahja and Ms. Nicole Kirschmann Faced…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 25, 2014) – Five members of the 2014 Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) were recognized at a graduation ceremony April 18, marking their…
By Ashley Tolbert FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 4, 2017) – The deadline to submit applications for this year’s military occupational specialty (MOS) 51C reclassification board has been extended to June…
Earning DAWIA certification is challenging but not impossible, and it creates a smarter, stronger acquisition workforce. By Robert E. Coultas There are jobs, and then there are careers. And for…
A new class of DAU Senior Service College Fellowship graduates in May, fresh from an intense, 10-month look at the whole Army and what’s at stake for acquisition leaders. by…
By Kristine Faria The Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) program marked a high point in November as the current class graduated from the Program Manager’s Course, also…
By Ashley Tolbert FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Nov. 22, 2016) – The fourth Army Acquisition Leader Preparation Course (AALPC) concluded last week, with 33 students from across the Army Acquisition Workforce…
With more than 1,000 participants signing in from across the country, Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, Army director for acquisition career management (DACM), hosted a live, virtual town hall forum…
FT. BELVOIR, Va. (October 13, 2016) – The Army Director of Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office released the Army Acquisition Workforce Human Capital Strategic Plan (AAW HCSP) today. This five-year…
By valuing individual and group potential, the Human Capital Strategic Plan points the way to success for the Army Acquisition Workforce From the Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center Human…
The Human Capital Strategic Plan: What does it mean for you? by Ms. Joan L. Sable Shaped by two important factors—the Army priority of readiness and the Army acquisition executive’s…
Ordered to attend the yearlong resident course at CGSC, an acquisition officer thought his career advancement was totally derailed. Instead, the course was life-altering, providing unexpected insight—and a determination to…
By Michael Bold FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 27, 2016) — Nominations are being accepted for the Secretary of the Army Awards for Excellence in Contracting (SAAEC), presented annually since 1997…
by Ashley Tolbert FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 20, 2016) – The call for nominations for the 2016 Army Acquisition Executive’s (AAE) Excellence in Leadership Awards is now open, and will…
By Ashley Tolbert FORT BELVOIR, Va. (June 28, 2016) – Applications for the Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) program, a three-year developmental program offering expanded training through a series…
By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Twenty-four civilian acquisition professionals were named as the next Defense Acquisition University – Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) class for 2016-2017 as a…
By Kristine Faria Defense Acquisition University’s Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) Program achieved a significant milestone last month as the 10th class of senior civilian acquisition professionals graduated from the…
By Ashley Tolbert FORT BELVOIR, Va.—Nominations for the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Awards Program are now being accepted, with the nomination period scheduled to close May…
By Linda Hanus FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 28, 2016) – Thirty-one of the Army’s best and brightest new acquisition leaders gathered in Arlington, Virginia, April 17-22 for the third Army…
By Mary Kate Aylward FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 18, 2016) – Defense Acquisition University (DAU) is hosting a one-day training symposium on Wednesday, April 27, at the Fort Belvoir campus….
By Tara Clements and Jack Kendall FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Nineteen candidates from the Army Acquisition Corps were selected from the fiscal year 2016 product and project director centralized selection…
Army small business director Tommy Marks seeks to build on a strong foundation with four program pillars—mission, compliance, outreach and training—in line with Better Buying Power principles. The objective: to…
By Ashley Tolbert FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Nov. 24, 2015) – Last week, 29 current and future managers from across the Army acquisition workforce attended the second Army Acquisition Leader Preparation…
By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Sept. 23, 2015) – New professional development guidelines for noncommissioned officers (NCOs) who specialize in Army contracting are outlined in the revised…
By Mary Kate Aylward FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Sept. 15, 2015) – Mr. James B. “Brent” Logan received the “Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for DOD Students” from the Naval Postgraduate School...
Read More
By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Sept. 14, 2015) – More than 30 Army acquisition career development leaders representing 24 agencies and all 14 acquisition career fields met Sept. 9…
By Sue Follett and Dr. James Rich Editor’s Note: This is the first in an occasional series about the Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund (DAWDF) and the commands and organizations…
By Susan L. Follett FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 16, 2015) – For the Army Acquisition Workforce, education is a key component of career development and, ultimately, mission success for the…
By Susan L. Follett FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 15, 2015) – Open up your calendars: The Office of the Army, Director of Acquisition Career Management has scheduled a host of...
Read More
By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. – A reclassification board held here earlier this month selected 12 candidates for accession into the 51C military occupational specialty (MOS)—the second and final…
By Karen D. Kurtz WASHINGTON (June 1, 2015) – The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Lt. Gen. Michael E….
Recently, senior Army leaders published two tri-signed memos: Army Civilians – A Critical Component of the Army Total Force, highlighting the importance of two-way communication between supervisors and employees; and…
By Natalie Duncan FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 29, 2015) – The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM), Lt. Gen. Michael Williamson kicked off the first-ever Army Acquisition Leader Preparation Course…
By Tara Clements and Bob Coultas FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 22, 2014) – Eight members of the 2012 Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) were recognized at a graduation ceremony…
By Tara Clements FT. BELVOIR, Va. (April 22, 2015) – Leaders from the office responsible for supporting the director of acquisition career management for the Army, or Army DACM Office,…
By Steve Stark FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 9, 2015) – Army acquisition’s Training with Industry (TWI) Program welcomed its new cohort of 10 officers at an orientation at the Fort…
By Tara Clements and Jack Kendall FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 26, 2015)—Fourteen candidates from the Army Acquisition Corps were selected from the first-ever product director centralized selection board held Dec….
By Stan Emelander FORT BELVOIR, Va. – The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center’s Office of the Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) conducted the final survey for its pilot acquisition…
Talent management strategy seeks to grow, develop future acquisition leaders By LTG Michael E. Williamson, Director,Acquisition Career Management Force 2025 and Beyond is a comprehensive effort to develop concepts into…
By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. – The 51C noncommissioned officer (NCO) reclassification board held here and concluded early December selected 10 candidates for reclassification. This board was the…
By Tara Clements and Steve Stark The Army DACM Discusses Talent Management FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Nov. 3, 2014) – Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, Army director, acquisition career management (DACM),…
Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS) provides opportunities for officers to pursue advanced degree programs at civilian universities on a full-time, fully funded basis. The purpose of this program is to help…
By Karen Kurtz WASHINGTON (Sept. 4, 2014) – The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson,…
Training with Industry program brings best practices from private sector to Army acquisition By Mr. Robert E. Coultas Sometimes the best way to further an Army acquisition career is to…
By Audra Calloway During a two-day session at the Pentagon last month, approximately 30 members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) gathered to discuss how to improve civilian career development….
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Katrina McFarland, received the David D. Acker “Skill in Communication” Award. The Acker Award is the most prestigious of the awards sponsored by…
Scott Greene, Army DACM Office Education and Training Branch Chief Do you need a few more college courses to meet your business hour requirement to become an Army Acquisition Corps...
Read More
By Karen D. Kurtz WASHINGTON — The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, announced…
By Steve Stark Have you ever thought of trading in your ACUs for a business suit for a few months or maybe a year? This might just be your chance:…
Are you in a GS-7 to 11 (or broadband equivalent) acquisition position and believe you have what it takes to be a future leader? Perhaps the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader…
By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. (May 19, 2014) — Thirteen members of the 2011 Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) were recognized at a graduation ceremony at Defense…
By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. (May 12, 2014) – Fourteen candidates were selected for reclassification as a result of the 51C Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) reclassification board held here April…
Competitive Development Group welcomes 2014 fellows The Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC), Craig Spisak, welcomes seven new Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) fellows during an orientation meeting…
By Daniel P. Elkins, Mission and Installation Contracting Command Public Affairs Office JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (March 12, 2014) — Entering the Army Acquisition Corps necessitates…
Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquisition, Education and Training Branch 2014 Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): Applications will be accepted starting March 12- April 21. Following a…
Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquisition, Education and Training Branch Defense Acquisition University-Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF): The DAU-SSCF Announcement opened Jan. 29 and closes April 2,…
By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. – If you think the movie “Her” is futuristic, members of the Office of the Army Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) have…
Changing times call for Army and industrial base to collaborate on solutions From The Army Acquisition Executive The Honorable Heidi Shyu As we enter a new calendar year,…
By Argie Sarantinos-Perrin Building and sustaining an educated, professional workforce is a key mission for Army Acquisition leaders in order to provide superior capabilities and support to U.S. Soldiers….
By Steve Stark FORT BELVOIR, Va. – MoBs, FaCs, STEM and FMS—these are just a few of the ways that the U.S. Army, along with DOD and others, is working…
Education and training opportunities Congratulations to Newly Selected Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellows: Congratulations to the Year Group 14 (YG 14) CDG/AAF inductees. The YG 14 inductees are: Kyle Bruner,…
By Susan L. Follett Trying to determine the best way to manage civilian career development can be daunting, given the array of available tools and requirements. Staying current on…
By Claudette Roulo, American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2013 – Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter today presented four acquisition teams with the David Packard Excellence in Acquisition…
Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquistion, Education and Training Branch Defense Acquisition University-Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF): The DAU-SSCF Announcement will open Jan. 29 and close April…
By Jacqueline Boucher TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT, Pa. — A winner of this year’s Defense Department’s highest civilian employee award could be described as a product of evolution. Deputy Commander…
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Nov. 18, 2013) – A total of 26 candidates were selected for reclassification as a result of the 51C Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) reclassification board held here October…
By Darrell Whitehurst FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Seven Army acquisition professionals are recent graduates of this year’s Excellence in Government Fellows (EIGF) program conducted by the Partnership for Public…
Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquistion, Education and Training Branch FY14 Acquisition Education and Training (AET) Announcements The FY14 schedule for acquisition, training and education (AET) opportunities…
By Steve Stark FORT BELVOIR, Va. — Herculean, monumental, massive, unprecedented — all of these words have been used to describe the undertaking we know as R4D, and the…
Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquistion, Education and Training Branch Continuous Learning Points (CLP) Glide Path Each Acquisition Workforce member must obtain 80 continuous learning (CL) points…
Education and training opportunities FY14 Acquisition Education and Training (AET) Announcements The FY14 schedule for AET opportunities has been finalized. All AET opportunities (except for Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program)…
Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Training The FY14 schedule was released on May 16, 2013 and is available for student registration. Planning and applying early affords students a better opportunity in…
By Steve Stark The best-trained and most well-equipped Army in the world didn’t get that way without a workforce to take care of the acquisition, logistics and technology. That’s...
Read More
Civilian Education System (CES) Per Army Regulation 350-1, many civilians are required to complete the appropriate Civilian Education System course(s) depending on their grade level and supervisory responsibility. This becomes…
Even in the face of significant fiscal constraints, our acquisition workforce still has statutory requirements to meet. Therefore, we will still be offering many of our Acquisition Education, Training and…
[raw][image align="right" caption="" linkto="https://asc.army.mil/web/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DAU-SSCF.jpg" linktype="image"]"https://asc.army.mil/web/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/DAU-SSCF.jpg" height="386" width="300"[/image][/raw] Defense Acquisition University – Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF)Congratulations to DAU, as well as the Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) staff, for...
Read More
Education and Training Opportunities Even in the face of significant fiscal constraints, our acquisition workforce has statutory requirements to meet. Therefore, we will still be offering many of our acquisition...
Read More
Education and Training Opportunities The Army Director of Acquisition Career Management (DACM) office, along with the rest of the Department of Defense, has recently received significant funding cuts. However, our...
Read More
Paul Prince WASHINGTON (Feb. 13, 2013) — Today, the Army’s Senior Enterprise Talent Management (SETM) program officials release the second ever set of board results for GS-14/15 and equivalent…
Army Acquisition Civilian Leadership Development Plan The Army Director of Acquisition Career Management (DACM) recently published our first leadership development plan for civilians. Unfortunately, there is not one clear path…
• The “Competitive Development Group – Army Acquisition Fellows” announcement will be open through Nov. 15 to all eligible personnel in GS-12 through GS-13 or broadband/pay equivalent positions who are…
Education and Training Opportunities 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…
Recent college graduates looking for a career in Army contracting should keep an eye on Armyhire.com for a series of rapid-fire job announcements, according to U.S. Army Contracting Command’s (ACC’s)…
Langston Willis The Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program (ALCP) has extended the application deadline to Sept. 13 for the October, November, and December 2012 ALCP II courses. The courses, open to…
Education and Training Opportunities The Competitive Development Group – Army Acquisition Fellows (CDG/AAF) announcement will be open from Aug. 27 to Nov. 15 to all eligible personnel in grades GS-12…
Education and Training Opportunities The Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP) announcement is open until July 31 to all eligible personnel in GS-11 through GS-15 or broadband/pay band equivalent positions who…
The U.S. Army Career Management Office is poised to launch its new Functional Area (FA) 51 Officer Army Career Tracker (ACT) website (https://actnow.army.mil). The website, a personalized professional development application,…
Training with Industry (TWI) TWI is a 10- to 12-month rotational opportunity for acquisition officers (O-3 to O-5) to work side by side with industry. Current participating companies for Army…
By Daniel P. Elkins Officials at Fort Sam Houston, TX, have developed an Acquisition Workforce Civilian Leadership Development Program, offering contracting professionals a structured, detailed road map for career management….
On March 2, Kim D. Denver, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement (DASA (P)), recognized Marilyn Shortle from U.S. Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground Belvoir Division…
HUNTSVILLE, AL—Eight civilian members of the Army acquisition corps were introduced to the Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) program during the CDG/AAF Orientation, Induction, and Graduation hosted by the…
Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program We are piloting the new Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program (ALCP), a 2½-day course focusing on developing better civilian leadership. FY12 offerings will be available for courses…
Defense Acquisition University offers various training and education programs for the AL&T Workforce. (DoD photo by Lapedra Tolson.) DAU Senior Service College Fellowship The 2012-13 Defense Acquisition University – Senior…
FORT BELVOIR–Army acquisition employees in the national capital region are invited to learn about the Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellow (CDG/AAF) Program at a brown bag lunch on Nov. 8…
New Requirement for Federal Executive Institute and Defense Acquisition University – Senior Service College Fellowship Starting this fiscal year, any applicant for the Federal Executive Institute (FEI) or Defense Acquisition…
Nealie Page, an operations research analyst intern attending PEO STRI’s Acquisition Academy, jumped from the 34-foot tower at Fort Benning’s Airborne School Sept. 8. She, along with the other interns…
Visitors to the USAASC booth can receive valuable career advice from career counselors in the ASAALT exhibit at the 2011 AUSA annual meeting and exposition. (Photo by McArthur Newell.) FORT BELVOIR, VA—Army…
By Gary Sheftick, Army News Service A new application for smartphones allows Soldiers worldwide to visit Army exhibits and watch presentations taking place at the Association of the United States…
By Brandon Pollachek The mission to defeat one of the enemy’s number one threats—improvised explosive devices (IEDs)—recently received a big boost in terms of the knowledge and capabilities of those…
By LTG William N. Phillips As we continue to build a world-class Acquisition Workforce with military and civilian professionals, we are faced with two equally important requirements: accessing the right…
Update on FY12 Contracting Certification Changes The Army Deputy Director of Acquisition Career Management is seeking a reprieve to the Defense Acquisition University contracting curriculum changes, scheduled to go in effect…
WASHINGTON–Nineteen members of the acquisition workforce were among 263 federal employees, spanning 23 government agencies, that graduated from the Excellence in Government Fellows (EIGF) program at a graduation luncheon held…
Acquisition Education, Training, and Experience Catalog Several educational and leadership opportunities are available in the near term through the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC). The updated Acquisition Education, Training,…
[author type=”author”]William G. Balliew[/author] The U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) has established the first fully accredited unit-level Air Traffic Control (ATC) simulator system in the Army at Fort Rucker, AL, fulfilling…
Upcoming Training Opportunities The Excellence in Government Fellowship (EIGF) announcement is open from July 12 through Aug. 26. The EIGF is a leadership program conducted by the Partnership for Public…
LTG William N. Phillips No doubt you’ve been hearing a lot about efficiencies and budget restraint, and about “doing more without more.” But you may not know that a few…
LTG William N. Phillips Many of you in the Army Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Workforce no doubt are wondering what the pending transition from the National Security Personnel System (NSPS)…
Upcoming Training Opportunities We have many educational and leadership opportunities available in the near term. Our updated Acquisition Education, Training, and Experience Catalog provides in-depth information on all training and...
Read More
Marnita Harris and Allison Laera To retain a high-quality workforce, Program Executive Office Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) leaders are committed not only to the warfighter, but also to…
LTG William N. Phillips As I look at how to achieve growth and rebalancing across the acquisition workforce, it is clear to me that there are very talented, highly motivated…
Upcoming Training Opportunities We have many educational and leadership opportunities available in the near term. Our updated Acquisition Education, Training, and Experience Catalog provides in-depth information on all training and...
Read More
