DACM OFFICE UPDATE
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CDG/AAF GRADUATES!
Time to celebrate! July 23 was graduation day for the eight members of the Year Group 2017 Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) program. The online ceremony began with an introduction from the CDG/AAF program manager, Kelly Terry, followed by an invocation by Miles R. Ratliff of the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center. Speakers included Craig A. Spisak, Army director for acquisition career management (DACM); Dustin Hicks, acquisition manager for the Future Vertical Lift Cross-Functional Team of the Army Futures Command and a graduate of the 2017 cohort; and Brendan Burke, a Senior Executive Service member and deputy program executive officer for Enterprise Information Systems. Hicks and Burke spoke on their lessons learned—themes of teamwork, the importance of overmatching in times of adversity, making a difference with positive changes, and trusting your instincts coupled with knowledge and experience.
Year Group 2017 CDG/AAF Graduates:
Sandy F. Agostinelli, Army Futures Command (AFC)
Rona S. Ford, AFC
Daniel E. Griffin, U.S. Army Communications Command
Dustin M. Hicks, AFC
Andre B. Rozier, Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS)
Craig R. Stiller, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology
Lawrence Z. Winkelman, PEO GCS
Kenneth L. Wood, U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command
Spisak highlighted the graduates’ career progression as they move into key leadership positions, whether into Senior Executive Service positions or Centralized Selection List positions through channels of promotion or realignment. Spisak also updated the attendees on changes coming to the CDG/AAF program itself. Future enhancements will incorporate aspects such as heightened eligibility, writing assignments, adding Army Futures Command into rotational opportunities and leveraging former graduates as mentors for incoming cohorts. These improvements will be added in to the program’s existing foundation of building up experiences, such congressional operations, and Civilian Education System advanced requirements for the program.
Year Group 2017 CDG/AAF class at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The CDG/AAF is currently a three-year leadership development program that seeks to enhance the leadership abilities of the Army’s civilian acquisition workforce. The CDG/AAF provides leadership training and developmental assignments within the acquisition community, including program management offices, program executive offices, systems acquisition offices, and senior staff offices. Fellows also attend senior-level leadership courses and conferences, complete the Congressional Briefing Conference on Capitol Hill, and participate in operational experience training. For more information, go to: https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/competitive-development-group-army-acquisition-fellowship/
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW NPS MSSE COHORT!
Congratulations to the incoming 2020 cohort of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) non-resident Master of Science in systems engineering (MSSE) program.
Marcus Chavez, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)
Christopher Ghigliotti, Army Materiel Command
Travis Kennamore, ATEC
Christopher Ray, Army Futures Command (AFC)
Michael Savacool, ATEC
Tara Sprinkle, AFC
The NPS MSSE program is a two-year master’s degree opportunity designed for DOD organizations faced with a wide range of systems engineering and integration challenges. Courses provide students with core systems engineering (SE) skills, advanced understanding and hands-on experience in SE methods, tools, knowledge and expertise relevant to their work, and in turn, enables them to better meet the needs of their customers. For more information, go to: https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/naval-postgrad-ms-sys-eng/
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW NPS MSSPM COHORT!
Congratulations are also in order for the incoming 2020 cohort of the NPS non-resident Master or Science in systems and program Management (MSSPM) program.
Sean Auld, Army Materiel Command (AMC)
Daniel Camp, Army Futures Command (AFC)
Steven Daley, AFC
Ashley Gizas, AMC
Benjamin Hill, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Center (ATEC)
Martin Hogan, Program Executive Office for Ground Combat Systems (PEO GCS)
Kristin Jones Maia, AFC
Paul Kylander, U.S. Army Special Operations Command
Megan Meisner, AFC
Michele Meszaros, PEO for Command, Control, Communications-Tactical
Jonathan Novoa, AFC
Dawn Patterson, PEO for Missiles and Space
Courage Sosu, AMC
Joshua Stokes, PEO for Combat Support and Combat Service Support
Suzanne Vermeulen, AMC Tank-Automotive & Armaments Command
Nathan Vey, AFC
Rene Villarreal, PEO for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S)
Jerald Willis, PEO IEW&S
Nicole Wilson, PEO for Enterprise Information Systems
The NPS MSSPM program is a two-year, 16-course interdisciplinary program combining systems engineering with program management knowledge and skills. It is designed to broaden the technical capabilities of DOD acquisition workforce members with nontechnical backgrounds so they can successfully manage and lead programs or projects in support of the defense acquisition system. Students learn the systems engineering process, from establishing system requirements through test and evaluation; and how to manage, schedule and budget programs and work with DOD suppliers through contracts to meet program obligations. For more information, visit: https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/naval-postgraduate-school-master-of-science-in-systems-and-program-management/
ACQUISITION EDUCATION, TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ATTENTION FA51 ARMY ACQUISITION OFFICERS
There’s a brand new education opportunity designed just for you! Now’s your chance to apply to the George Washington University Master of Studies in Law program. The program is being piloted by the U.S. Army Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office as an addition to the existing Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS) program for acquisition officers. Functional Area 51 acquisition officers who meet ACS program eligibility requirements can begin the program as early as August 2021. The program provides advanced education opportunities for acquisition officers by earning a Master of Studies in Law. This degree is intended for professionals who are not interested in earning a law degree or practicing law, but who work in jobs where knowledge of the law is important while developing their acquisition careers. ACS requirements apply. For more ACS details, go to: https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/advanced-civil-schooling/. The DACM Office point of contact is Maj. Christopher Williams, christopher.m.williams192.mil@mail.mil.
GETTING A DEGREE? APPLY TO THE ACQUISTION TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Now through Aug. 14, applications are being accepted for the Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP). ATAP provides tuition assistance to eligible Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) civilians and Military Occupational Specialty 51 Contracting (51C) noncommissioned officers. This is your chance to attain required business hours toward membership in the Army Acquisition Corps, the elite group of acquisition professionals within the AAW. Take this opportunity to complete acquisition- or business-related courses in a declared major toward either a bachelor’s or master’s degree at an accredited college or university of your choice during off-duty time. The Army DACM Office sponsors ATAP and will fund tuition costs (laboratory and technology fees) within specified funding limits (see announcement). For details and how to apply: https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/acquisition-tuition-assistance-program/.
APPLY NOW FOR FY22 LTC GS-14/NH-04 PRODUCT MANAGER AND ACQUISITION DIRECTOR POSITIONS
Now through Aug. 26 is your opportunity to apply to the Product Manager and Acquisition Director Centralized Selection List (CSL) board. Individuals selected for product manager and acquisition director positions are recognized as being members of an elite professional group instrumental in our mission to develop the critical systems and services that enable our Army to succeed in any mission. Competition for these positions is intense, and only the best qualified candidates are selected. Applying to the CSL is an opportunity for acquisition officers and civilians to run major contract efforts and lead Acquisition Category (ACAT) I, II and III weapon systems programs. Positions are in various geographical locations. For more details and application best practices, visit the CSL website at: https://asc.army.mil/web/centralized-selection-list/. For more information, contact Harry P. Ward, harry.p.ward.civ@mail.mil.
DAU FY21 COURSE SCHEDULE OPENS AUG. 27
The new fiscal year 2021 Defense Acquisition University (DAU) training course schedule will open for enrollment on Aug. 27. DAU courses fill up quickly, and the earlier you apply the better your chances are at obtaining a reservation. Browse DAU’s online catalog at: https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/tabnav.aspx. Remember to check your acquisition certification standards on the certification page at: https://icatalog.dau.edu/onlinecatalog/CareerLvl.aspx.
57 DAYS LEFT TO MEET YOUR CLP REQUIREMENT
We are in the final quarter of the current Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) continuous learning two-year cycle, which began Oct. 1, 2018, and ends Sept. 30, 2020. Nearly 25% of the AAW is not on track to meet this requirement! The Army DACM reminds the workforce that the requirement to complete 80 continuous learning points within this two-year cycle is the backbone of ensuring the AAW is armed with the most current training and education to support the Soldier. To browse and apply for DAU continuous learning modules, visit: https://icatalog.dau.edu/.
DACM POLICY
UPDATED SENIOR RATER POTENTIAL EVALUATION MEMO
This DACM memorandum provides policy on the completion requirements, rating chain, timelines and administration of the Senior Rater Potential Evaluation (SRPE). SRPE is a talent management tool used to evaluate the potential of civilian Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) professionals in designated grades and pay band equivalents to perform in positions of increased responsibility. This document should be read in conjunction with the SRPE guidance memo, dated July 1, 2020. The policy applies to all civilian AAW professionals filling an acquisition-coded position in the grade of GS-12 through GS-15 (and pay band equivalents) and their rating officials. For more information, go to: https://asc.army.mil/web/srpe-policy/.
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