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 known as PMT 401. Designed to strengthen the analytical, critical thinking and decision-making skills of senior acquisition leaders, PMT 401 uses a case study approach, asking students to analyze cases that represent contemporary acquisition program challenges and dilemmas.
DAU-SSCF Executive Director Mark Lumb delivers the keynote address at the PMT 401 graduation ceremony, stressing the importance of a trained, ready, professional acquisition workforce.
During the course, required by law for Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) program managers (PMs), participants applied their knowledge of the acquisition environment and deepened their understanding of acquisition principles and practices. Speakers, team projects, media training and leadership simulations enriched the learning experience. PMT 401 is part of the broader DAU-SSCF program, an intensive 10-month course of study that prepares senior-level civilians for key acquisition leadership roles. DAU-SSCF is offered at three sites: Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; Huntsville, Alabama; and Warren, Michigan.
On Nov. 18, students from the three DAU-SSCF sites convened at the DAU South Region campus in Huntsville for the combined PMT 401 graduation ceremony. Before the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, Army director for acquisition career management, met with the program fellows to share thoughts and guidance of particular relevance to the acquisition leaders.
Williamson stressed several key points, including the importance of networking. “Building your own network is valuable to you and to the enterprise,” said Williamson. He emphasized the importance of sharing lessons learned, and noted that PMs can save time when a problem arises by calling a buddy rather than trying to solve the problem on their own.
Williamson also noted that his job is to create the opportunity to grow people, and he encouraged program fellows to join him in this mission by telling them that they have a responsibility to grow talent and mentor upcoming leaders. He advised them to think about the people who will be in the DAU-SSCF seats next year. Williamson also answered questions from participants and shared his thoughts about how they can apply the skills and talents they have developed throughout the program.
Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, Army director of acquisition career management, speaks to DAU-SSCF fellows before the ceremony marking their completion of the Program Manager’s Course.
DAU-SSCF Executive Director Mark Lumb provided the graduation ceremony’s keynote remarks. He stressed the importance of a trained, ready, professional acquisition workforce, and said that PMT 401 had prepared them well by honing their critical thinking skills. Lumb inspired the graduates with a quote attributed to Anglican minister John Wesley: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
After graduation, the fellows returned to their DAU-SSCF studies. During the remaining six months of the program, they’ll continue work on their major research projects, attend leadership seminars and workshops and participate in installation and industry site visits that will enhance their understanding of Army acquisition within the greater defense framework.
DAU-SSCF graduation will take place in May, and the application period for next year’s class opens January 23. For more information about DAU-SSCF, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/defense-acquisition-university-senior-service-college/.
The current class of the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Senior Service College Fellowship gathers in Huntsville for a ceremony marking their completion of the Program Manager’s Course, also known as PMT 401. (photos by Tonia Beavers, DAU)
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