OPPORTUNITIES
SEE WHAT’S NEW – CATALOG OF FISCAL YEAR 2026 PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
Open your doors to career growth opportunities with the recently published catalog of fiscal year 2026 Direction, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office program announcements. Get ahead with critical acquisition training, develop your leadership acumen or take advantage of education and tuition assistance opportunities. Please note program dates and availability are subject to change.
- Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP)
- Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) master’s degree programs
- Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
- Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program (ALCP)
- Carnegie Mellon University – Data Driven Leadership (DDL) Course
- Defense Acquisition University-Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF)
- Inspiring and Developing Excellence in Acquisition Leaders (IDEAL)
- Leadership Excellence and Acquisition Development (LEAD)
- Public Private Talent Exchange (PPTE)
- Enterprise Civilian Talent Development Programs (ECTDP)
- Training with Industry (TWI) – Officers/NCOs
- Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS) – NCOs
- Centralized Selection Board / Centralized Selection List
For more information, visit the Announcements and Timeline page here.
COMING SOON: FISCAL YEAR 2028 PROJECT / PRODUCT MANAGER AND PRODUCT DIRECTOR ANNOUNCEMENTS OPEN ON FEB. 17
If you’re thinking about applying to a fiscal year (FY) 2028 Centralized Selection List (CSL) position or FY28 Army Acquisition Centralized Selection Board (CSB), early preparation is highly encouraged. The application window for these opportunities opens Feb. 17 and closes on April 17.
The Army Acquisition Professional Development System (AAPDS) within the Career Acquisition Management Portal, enables those civilians who are interested and eligible to “opt-in” to multiple CSB/CSL opportunities using a single portal and one application packet, making the application process easier and more streamlined.
The purpose of the centralized selection process is to identify a pool of high performing and high potential acquisition professionals to lead and manage acquisition programs to meet the mission and vision of the Army acquisition enterprise. Best-qualified individuals will be selected for specifically identified acquisition command/key billet and director positions.
For additional CSL details, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/centralized-selection-list/ or contact Maj. Timothy Hancock at timothy.q.hancock.mil@army.mil.
For additional CSB details, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/prod-dir or contact Ms. Christina Lindh at christina.n.lindh.civ@army.mil.
FISCAL YEAR 2026 DATA DRIVEN LEADERSHIP COURSE AT CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
Attention, senior acquisition leaders—this door is yours!
Seats are now available for the fiscal year (FY) 2026 offerings of the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Data Driven Leadership (DDL) course. DDL is open only to Army acquisition leaders; general officers, senior executive service, Col., Lt. Col, Maj. and civilians GS-13 through GS-15 and equivalent paybands. Top priority is given to the general officer and senior executive service population with the option of attending the five-day offering or a condensed two-day executive course.
The DDL course recognizes that the success of a modern enterprise is increasingly dependent on its ability to manage large, diverse and rapidly changing data. Unstructured internal and external data, growing at over 70% a year, is a particular challenge to traditional data governance. Data quality is a universal problem, especially when data is the foundation of ambitious modern analytic projects.
The DDL course offers a Certificate in Data Driven Leadership which covers key areas—data management, data science, decision making, emerging technology, change management, data privacy and security—to assist U.S. Army leadership in the development of a robust enterprise data management and data science capability to improve decision-making to better support the mission of the U.S. Army.
The FY26 CMU DDL Class Schedule:
Class 002: Feb. 23-27, 2026
Class 003: March 23-27, 2026
Class 004: April 27 – May 1, 2026
Class 005: May 11-15, 2026
Class 006: June 8-12, 2026
Class 007: Aug. 3-7, 2026
Class 008: Aug. 24-28, 2026
Class 009: Sept. 14-18, 2026
Class 010: Sept. 28 – Oct.2, 2026
FY26 DDL Executive Course Schedule (GO/SES ONLY):
Class 002: Aug. 13-14, 2026
DDL remains an incredible opportunity for leaders and workforce members to gain greater awareness of an emerging body of knowledge. The DDL course is held at Carnegie Mellon University Heinz College in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Heinz College is the world’s elite institution for information technology management and recognizes the critical point of intersection between people, policy and technology with a vision of educating for “intelligent action”.
Tuition is centrally funded by the DACM Office; however, commands must fund their attendees’ TDY. Acquisition personnel must register for this training using the Army Internet Training Application System (AITAS). After logging in:
- Navigate to My Career
- Then to Search for Training
- In the search box, type CMU
- Select CMU DDL – Data Driven Leadership
- Click on Find Available Classes
For more details and POC information, visit the Training section of the Digital Transformation page.
Naval Postgraduate School Master of Science in Acquisition – Contract Management Program Education Opportunity
The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office is pleased to announce the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Master of Science in Acquisition – Contract Management (MSA-CM) Program (Curriculum 835) education opportunity. Applications are being accepted in CAPPMIS/AAPDS for the NPS MSA-CM Program from Feb. 2 – March 10, 2026. The Army DACM Office sponsors the full cost of tuition and up to $250 per course for books for the MSA-CM Program. Participants incur a 2-year continued service agreement after graduating from the program. Please go to the MSA-CM website at https://asc.army.mil/web/nps-programs/msa-cm/ for additional program details and the application process.
NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACQUISITION – PROGRAM MANAGEMENT PROGRAM EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY
The Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office is pleased to announce the offering of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Master of Science in Acquisition – Program Management (MSA-PM) Program (Curriculum 836) education opportunity. Applications are being accepted in CAPPMIS/AAPDS for the NPS MSA-PM Program from Feb. 2, – March 10, 2026. The Army DACM Office sponsors the full cost of tuition and up to $250 per course for books for the MSA-PM Program. Participants incur a 2-year continued service agreement after graduating from the program. Please go to the MSA-PM website at https://asc.army.mil/web/nps-programs/msa-pm/ for additional program details and the application process.
CLOSING SOON: YEAR GROUP 2026 LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AND ACQUISITION DEVELOPMENT
Mid-career acquisition professionals interested in transitioning into Program Management, this one’s for you!
The application door for the Leadership Excellence and Acquisition Development (LEAD) program will soon be closing on Feb. 12. Designed for high-performing GS-12 and GS-13 or payband equivalent acquisition civilians, LEAD is a dynamic 12-month program custom-built to support the development of future Army acquisition program managers. The program offers participants expanded training through a series of education, leader development and broadening assignments; developmental assignments begin in August. Apply here.
THERE’S STILL TIME TO APPLY TO THE DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY-SENIOR SERVICE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP
The Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) program is still accepting applications through Feb. 20.
The DAU-SSCF program is a 10-month educational senior leadership development opportunity sponsored by the Army DACM Office. The DAU-SSCF is the only civilian fellowship approved by the Army as a Military Education Level-1 (MEL-1) Senior Service College equivalent. Effective fiscal year 2023, MEL-1 is required before assumption of command for GS-15 centralized selection list (CSL) civilian project managers. This prestigious program will develop your leadership skills as you prepare for positions with higher levels of responsibility within the Army and the Department of War.
DAU-SSCF prepares you for senior leadership roles such as product director, project manager, program executive officer/capability portfolio executive, chief of staff, division chief, senior scientific technical manager, senior contracting official, and other acquisition key leadership positions.
COMING SOON: DEFENSE CIVILIAN EMERGING LEADER PROGRAM
When opportunity knocks, open the door!
Administered by the Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA), Army Civilian Career Management Activity (ACCMA), the Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP) will be open to Army civilians GS-07 through GS-12 (or equivalent) starting March 1.
DCELP is recognized as a foremost leadership development initiative for civilians, comprising a structured series of four (4) week-long residential modules, various assessment tools, activities for knowledge transfer, participant-led writing and briefing assignments, and individual coaching sessions. DCELP provides high performance/high potential employees the opportunity to receive structured leader development through an experiential learning program.
As one of the options under the Enterprise Civilian Talent Development Program (ECTDP), DCELP enhances knowledge of fundamental leadership skills and prepares employees to assume increased responsibilities and more complex roles within their organizations and commands.
DCELP is aligned with and supports the competencies defined in DoDI 1400.25, Volume 410 “DoD Civilian Personnel Management System: Training, Education, and Professional Development”. As depicted on the DoD Civilian Leader Development Continuum in DoDI 1430.16, DCELP establishes a competency-based approach for deliberate development, emphasizing the concepts of:
- Leading self
- Leading teams and projects
- Leading people
Participants will dive into learning activities such as:
- Reflection exercises
- Leadership assessments
- Mentoring and peer coaching
- Real world applications of lessons learned
- Completing a 5-minute oral presentation
- Developing a personalized Leadership Roadmap and Action Plan
- Demonstrating and expanding leadership skills
- Final capstone project
Each seminar is separated by a two-week interval, allowing participants to return home between sessions to apply their learning and work on assignments before returning to the training location for the next seminar. This blended approach balances intensive on-site learning with practical application and reflection in their operational work environments.
The tentative program location is at the National Center for Employee Development in Norman, Oklahoma. Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their component, service, or agency training representative to learn more about any additional organization-specific requirements. To apply, Army civilians can log into the ACCMA Talent Development Application Portal and navigate to the button labeled “Entry/Mid-Level Programs”.
ENTERPRISE CIVILIAN TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Applications to the Enterprise Civilian Talent Development Program (ECTDP) are to be submitted directly through the Army Civilian Career Management Activity (ACCMA). While the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) only assists with ECTDP applications for the USAASC Direct Reporting Unit, these programs are open and available to the entire AAW.
Administered by the ACCMA, these entry- to senior-level leadership developmental opportunities will be accepting applications March 1 – April 30, 2026. The ECTDP is a civilian leader talent management program for GS-07 through GS-15 and equivalent employees. ECTDP offers a variety of selections that help prepare Army civilians assume positions of greater responsibility through exceptional training. Entry, mid- and senior-level offerings include:
- Executive Leader Development Program (ELDP)
- Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP)
- Senior Managers Course in National Security Leadership (SMC)
- Harvard Senior Executive Fellows (SEF)
- Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLDP)
- The Eisenhower School
- Naval War College
- Army War College, resident and distance education
- White House Leadership Development Program (WHLDP)
For more information, visit the ACCMA page here.
ONLINE ACQUISITION EVENT OPEN FOR REGISTRATION: “ACQUISITION INSIGHT DAY”
Registration is open for the “Acquisition Insight Day” event!
Open to the defense acquisition community and members of the defense industry, this one-day Microsoft Teams event features senior leaders and experts from the acquisition community discussing the transformation of the Warfighting Acquisition System. Learn how the Department of War is cutting layers, rebuilding the industrial base and accelerating delivery of warfighting capabilities. You’ll gain access to insights and tools to improve decision-making, encourage risk-taking and streamline the acquisition process. For more details and how to register, visit the Acquisition Insight Day page.
NEW ACQUISITION CREDENTIAL – CENG 040 “DEFENSE STANDARDIZATION”
The new CENG 040 Defense Standardization credential provides a comprehensive overview of market research from the perspective of technical personnel within the Department of War (DoW). Students will gain knowledge of the standardization documents managed within the DoW and learn about the application of standardization across various phases of the acquisition life cycle. The credential covers standards, specifications, and technical publications based on DoW policy, guidance, processes, procedures, and best business practices from across the four services and industry throughout the product life cycle.
By the end of the credential, students will have a thorough understanding of how standardization supports effective management of technical documentation and enhances overall project efficiency. The estimated time to complete this credential is 15 hours. More details here.
NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
FISCAL YEAR 2027 51C ACTIVE COMPONENT RECLASSIFICATION PANEL IS OPEN
If someone you know might be interested in reclassifying to become a contingency contracting officer with the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW), help spread the word that now through April 12, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) interested in Military Occupational Series (MOS) 51C (Contracting) can submit their application packets.
MOS 51Cs are all about providing procurement support for a unit’s requirements and serving the commander as a business adviser—ensuring they get what’s needed, on time, to support the mission. The Army has a continuously increasing need for contingency contracting officers, and their contributions are viewed as a critical asset.
All Soldiers will be notified via email of their approval or disapproval status within 90 days after the conclusion of each review panel. Board results will also be published after all applicants have been notified directly on the USAASC website.
Upon acceptance into MOS 51C, Soldiers must coordinate with their current MOS Talent Manager to request a branch release, and with U.S. Human Resource Command (HRC) to secure a class seat in the Army Acquisition Transition Course (AATC). MOS 51C will be officially awarded upon successful completion of the required training. Acceptance letters remain valid for four months from the date of receipt
For details and how to apply, visit the Reclassification Process page here.
REMINDERS
CERTAIN CERTIFICATION GRACE PERIODS EXPIRING IN FEBRUARY
A friendly reminder to military and civilian Army Acquisition Workforce professionals that the four-year grace period for those whose positions require Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) certification at the Advanced level will begin to expire in February 2026. There are four acquisition functional areas that have Advanced level certification: Business-Cost Estimating, Business-Financial Management, Life Cycle Logistics and Program Management.
Questions?
The downloadable Quick Reference Guide can help get you started. This guide provides you with helpful tips as you plan and navigate your acquisition career: how to look up the DAWIA certification requirements for your primary Acquisition Functional Area and current position; request DAWIA certification; create an individual development plan; request and earn continuous learning points; explore acquisition training, education, and career development opportunities; and complete other important steps.
TRAINING DATES MOVED – CON 9000 EMERGING CONTRACT LEADERS SEMINAR
Reminder to those participating in the CON 9000 Emerging Contract Leaders Seminar that the training dates were moved to April 28-30. Contracting functional area personnel students were nominated to attend by their individual service or command.
CON 9000 is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders within the field of government contracting. This seminar provides participants with the essential skills and knowledge required to excel in leadership roles, navigate procurement policies, address industry and workforce challenges, and leverage emerging technologies in support of the national defense strategy. The curriculum is meticulously structured to offer a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights through various sessions that cover a broad spectrum of topics essential for emerging leaders.
NEW HIRES – TAKE THE AAW ONBOARDING COURSE
If you were recently hired into the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW), you’ll want to sign up for the “Welcome to the Army Acquisition Workforce” course. This course should be completed within the first few months of joining the acquisition workforce as it offers a dynamic overview of:
✔ The AAW
✔ Training and certification standards
✔ Tools and resources
✔ Career models
✔ Development and leadership opportunities
✔ Staying connected
To access and begin taking the course, navigate to the Army Training Information System (ATIS) Learning home page at https://learn.atis.army.mil/moodle. (Chrome or Edge browsers are recommended.)
- Login to EAMS-A-Single Sign-On (CAC login).
- Click the CATALOG tab.
- Locate the “Welcome to the Army Acquisition Workforce” course in the list of Published courses, or enter the course name in the Search field, and click the search icon.
- Select the Register & Launch button, which will take you directly where you can launch the Learning Assignment(s) required for the course.
There is a downloadable resources guide included with the course. You are highly encouraged to download and save a copy of this guide. Once you have closed the course topic, your completion will show up on your ATIS LEARNING MY CERTIFICATES page.
