By Stefanie Pidgeon
Twenty-seven Army Acquisition Workforce professionals graduated from the Defense Acquisition University Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) on May 22, marking a significant milestone in their professional and leader development. This accomplished cohort demonstrated unwavering commitment and reflection through this rigorous program, emerging as equipped leaders ready to make meaningful contributions to the Army and the Army acquisition community.
“The SSCF experience has been more than just about professional development for us; it’s been a transformation for many of the fellows,” said Carolyn Farmer, an engineer with Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center, who spoke at the graduation. “Over the past 10 months, the 27 fellows had the very rare opportunity to pause, think deeply and really grow as strategic leaders.”
Carolyn Farmer speaks at the DAU-SSCF graduation May 22
DEVELOPING STRATEGIC LEADERS
The DAU-SSCF program is a 10-month educational senior leadership development opportunity sponsored by the Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office. The program provides leadership and acquisition training to prepare senior-level civilians in the grades of GS-14/15 (or equivalent broadband) for leadership roles.
Farmer said the DAU-SSCF experience evolved beyond academics. The participants “debated tough acquisition challenges; evaluated a plethora of case studies; and engaged senior leaders across the [Department of Defense] and industry.”
Farmer, who began her Army civilian career one month after the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, recognizes that she and the members of her graduating class are building the future of Army readiness.
“Our legacy isn’t written in titles; it’s written in the impact of many of our decisions, in every single requirement that we approve as acquisition professionals, every policy we shape, and every single leader we mentor.”
DAU-SSCF participants were selected by a senior-level board that assessed the qualifications and potential of each nominee for continued outstanding service to the Army, the level and degree to which the nominee possesses the knowledge and abilities required of the program, the appropriateness of the training to the nominee’s occupation, and the overall benefit to the nominee and the Army as reflected in the official record before the board. The program was conducted at two resident seminars in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and Picatinny, New Jersey as well as one virtual seminar.
Throughout the 10 months, participants not only received extensive training in executive-level leadership and its application to Army acquisition and national defense but were also required to conduct a research project focusing on a relevant acquisition issue directly identified by the acquisition community.
Farmer highlighted some stand-out research topics in her speech, including:
- Social Media as a Force Multiplier: Examining its Role in Shaping Diplomacy Influence and Information Operations
- The U.S. National Debt: DoD Budget Relationship to the National Security Mission
- Homeland Defense Against Small Uncrewed Ariel Systems
- Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Reliability, Availability and Maintainability in an Operational Field Environment
These research papers will not only add to the Army’s body of acquisition knowledge but further connect the dots across defense efforts.
“The rapid delivery of game-changing technologies requires a fundamental shift that we are seeing today,” said Farmer. “From compliance-driven to capability-focused, from risk-adverse to opportunity-driven, it demands tight integration between Soldiers, developers, acquisition communities, as well as an absolute cultural shift in how we do business to a psychology safe environment to innovate, test, and learn.”
Ronald R. Richardson, Jr., director of acquisition career management, encouraged graduates to “put your research project to the best use of the Army by dealing with contemporary challenges solving real problems and working to provide concrete, sustainable recommendations.”
DAU-SSCF graduates from the Picatinny, New Jersey cohort at graduation May 22, 2025
MARKING A MILESTONE
All graduation speakers emphasized the crucial point the graduates are at in their career.
“This is a monumental and significant milestone in your careers,” said Lt. Gen. Robert M. Collins, military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, and the director, Army Acquisition Corps. “The fun and the reward have only just begun. You’ve made it through a very rigorous program to get here.”
Following graduation, fellows will go on to serve in leadership positions across the Army, including as associate directors, project integrators, deputy program managers, deputy chiefs of staff and product leads.
Farmer says to look for the fellows to “lead from the front and continue the transformation across the Army so that we remain the most lethal land-fighting force the world has ever seen.”
Collins reminded graduates that they will face many challenges, but said, “I would turn those into opportunities.” Because at the end of the day, “our Acquisition Corps and our workforce is and always will be a national strategic asset,” he said. “If not you, then who?”
DAU-SSCF graduates from the Huntsville, Alabama cohort at graduation May 22, 2025
