by Cheryl Marino
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Apr. 15, 2025)—Army acquisition is an integral part of military operations and it doesn’t stop at the edge of the Pentagon. Among the 80 countries across the globe where the U.S. stations military personnel (and in many areas without major American military bases), the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) personnel are very active supporting missions like Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield. Additionally, multiple program executive offices have forward-deployed personnel, including programs like the Global Enterprise Network Modernization – OCONUS, which focuses on network infrastructure modernization abroad. According to Army AL&T Editor-in-Chief Nelson McCouch III, “ASA(ALT) personnel are, like in the 2022 hit movie, ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once.’ ” But it’s not all about deploying, it’s about working with international partners too.
The Spring Issue is all about how Army acquisition is a global effort. From the logistics of getting supplies from the U.S. to forward operating bases, to foreign military sales, theater acquisition support to training with allies, to ensuring Soldiers can operate in all types of weather and terrain. Army acquisition is everywhere. Read how:
- Innovation at the round starts with our diverse partnerships around the globe in TAPPING GLOBAL EXPERTISE.
- An Additive Construction program provides capabilities to 3D print concrete structures for the U.S. Army in BUILDING IN 3D.
- Haptics improvements to Army simulation training makes virtual environments feel more realistic. Don’t miss REALITY CHECK.
- The U.S. Medical Logistics Command is improving warfighter readiness through the work of acquisition professionals who ensure sustainment planning is part of the acquisition process in ALL ROADS LEAD TO SUSTAINMENT.
- And learn what happens after Army equipment and systems become obsolete in SEPARATION FROM SERVICE.
As always, Army AL&T relies on contributions from you, members of the Army Acquisition Workforce and our stakeholders. For more information on how to publish an article in Army AL&T magazine, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-submissions to see our writers’ guidelines, upcoming deadlines and themes.
Army AL&T Spring 2025 Issue
THEME
TAPPING GLOBAL EXPERTISE
The strength of design and innovation stems from diverse expertise across the globe, and international partners are vital for the development and production of cutting edge, small caliber ammunition. This international partnership has been visible in the relationships built and grown through the One-Way Luminescence (OWL) program that recently entered the Low-Rate Initial Production, which would not have been possible without international partnerships.
BUIILDING IN 3D
The Additive Construction Program, which provides capabilities to 3D print concrete structures for the U.S. Army, can streamline construction operations, improve efficiency, reduce costs, materials and the physical burden from manual labor on military personnel. There’s progress to be made in the realm of 3D printing and its use in the military; and the Additive Construction Program is continuing with improvements to benefit the warfighter.
FACES OF THE FORCE: BRIANA KENERSON
Just keep moving.
REALITY CHECK
Simulation doesn’t replace live training; but with enhancements to its digital programs, along with haptics improvements, the Army will be able to augment existing programs and replicate weapons that haven’t been replicated in the past through simulation. Making interactions with virtual environments or digital devices feel more realistic and tactile.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO SUSTAINMENT
The Army’s Life Cycle Management Command for medical materiel, U.S. Army Medical Logistics Command (AMLC)’s focus is to integrate sustainment considerations from the start of the acquisition process. To lead this change, AMLC’s Integrated Logistics Support Center’s acquisition professionals are working in collaboration with materiel developers to bring key sustainment considerations, including centralized supply chain, materiel management and catalog standardization into every stage of the acquisition process.
SEPARATION FROM SERVICE
Equipment divestments, or “divestitures,” is the process of removing excess and obsolete systems and equipment from the field, and either redistributing them to other government organizations, destroying them, or, in some cases, donating them to museums. The divestiture of legacy equipment is critical to ensure modernizing capabilities while supporting operational readiness. As technology evolves, it is important to transition from legacy systems to advanced solutions that meet today’s mission requirements.
FACES OF THE FORCE: DANIELLE GAINEY
Respect the balance of the eights.
FEATURE ARTICLES
THE DIVERSIFICATION OF ARMY INNOVATION
The Army’s tech pursuit goes global with xTech prize competitions.
THE RIGHT BALANCE
Negotiating intellectual property, including data rights, in government contracting is critical to achieving the right balance of retaining what the government requires to develop and field capabilities within budget.
BALANCING ACQUISITION RISK WITH DEPLOYABILITY REWARD
The challenges of maintaining deployability of systems with Middle Tier Acquisition.
FACES OF THE FORCE: CHERE BENSON
A+ for adaptability.
DOGS ON DUTY
All things dogs, from service animals to military working dogs and even four-legged robots.
CYBERSECURITY FIRST
The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Software Engineering Center leads Zero Trust implementation and supports the technical navigation of this ever-present cyber conflict.
RESPONSIBLE SPEED
Maintaining standards at the speed of relevance.
COMMON KNOWLEDGE
Since 2021, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia have been partnering to standardize and share battlefield sensor data.
BLACK HAWK ABOVE AND BEYOND
Modernization decisions made this decade will affect the next generation of Army aviators.
TESTING THE WATERS
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) teams up with Wayne State University to better hydrate Soldiers in the field.
FACES OF THE FORCE: CRAIG RIEDEL
Many hands make light work.
CRITICAL THINKING
TOURIST INVASION
Rising travel logistics solutions could be as instructive for the DOD as for private enterprise.
WORKFORCE
FROM THE DACM: ANSWERING THE CALL
The Army Acquisition Workforce is prepared to provide support, stateside and globally.
RAISING THE BAR
Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Johnson is first TAAS instructor to receive Basic Army Instructor Badge.
THE IMPORTANCE OF RECOGNITION
Three ways to drive engagement in acquisition award nominations.
FUTURE PROOF TALENT
Army introduces mandatory Cognitive Assessment Battery for Captain’s Career Courses in 2025.
FACES OF THE FORCE: MARY FALCIGNO
Leveraging tough advice for career success.
ON THE MOVE
HONORING EXCELLENCE: 2024 ARMY ACQUISITION EXECUTIVE AWARDS CELEBRATE ACQUISITION INNOVATORS
The exceptional achievements of the Army Acquisition Workforce were recognized at the 2024 Army Acquisition Executive’s Excellence in Leadership Awards Ceremony on Jan. 10, at the Pentagon.
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