By Ashley Tolbert
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Nov. 22, 2016) – The fourth Army Acquisition Leader Preparation Course (AALPC) concluded last week, with 33 students from across the Army Acquisition Workforce in attendance at Arlington, Virginia.
Lt. Gen. Michael Williamson, the Army director for acquisition career management (DACM), developed the course and launched the pilot in April 2015. He kicked off the November course speaking to students about what to expect in their new roles. “Learn and understand what it takes to get from A to Z,” said Williamson. “Our job is to deliver capability to our Soldiers and sometimes it’s a bumpy ride. The way that you can help is to help educate.”
The attendees included newly selected centralized selection list (CSL) product managers, acquisition directors and contracting commanders, as well as the recently established central selection board product directors (PDs). Approximately 90 percent of the participants will be CSL new starts ready to assume command this coming summer, while the remaining 10 percent of the class comprised recent PD incumbents who assumed command this past summer.
Mr. Craig Spisak, director U.S. Army Acquisition Center, makes closing remarks at the fourth AALPC. (Photos by Michelle Strother, SAIC)
“This is the fourth course, and we are always working to make it better. We actively solicit feedback from students, speakers, facilitators and leaders and use that feedback to continue to improve each iteration of the course” said Craig Spisak, director of the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) and deputy DACM. USAASC is responsible for coordinating and overseeing AALPC. Spisak also served as the moderator throughout the five-day course.
The course is designed to generate thought and discussion about a host of challenges that future acquisition leaders likely will face when they get into their new jobs and learn from accomplished leaders and seasoned practitioners who have faced similar challenges. AALPC is an additional course to the pre-command courses offered at Fort Leavenworth, Defense Acquisition University and the Army Acquisition Center of Excellence.
The Hon. Steffanie Easter, the senior official performing the duties of the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology and the Army acquisition executive, shared advice with the students. “When you’re engaging with senior leadership, be succinct and know your message,” she said. “Never assume you know what your leadership is thinking. … You have to own your message, and be comfortable knowing you’re right. Own your message and own your program.”
Over the five-day course, a variety of senior leaders from DOD and industry spoke to the group covering a wide range of topics, including; leadership, effective communication, talent and organizational management, risk identification and management, budget, and how to operate effectively in a complex environment. Industry speakers included John Savona, director of manufacturing at Ford Motor Co.; Jennifer Chronis, general manager at Amazon Web Services; and Robert Carpenter, senior vice president of business operations at Sierra Nevada Corp.
Ms. Jennifer Chronis, Amazon Training with Industry representative leads a speed networking session at the fourth AALPC.
Frank Kendall, undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, spoke about the correlation between time and quality. “If you want basic quality, it can be done fast,” he said. “Consider the quality of product you want. You’re better off doing the regular acquisition process. But you made need to use rapid acquisition for operational urgency and save lives.”
The course also helps participants better understand the dynamics of the environment in which they operate, know their roles and the roles of their subordinates, to capture lessons learned and to develop an outline for what it takes to run an organization as an Army acquisition leader.
“There is natural friction between program managers and the contracting office,” explained Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement Harry Hallock. “You need to make sure you accept that natural friction and be prepared and willing to work together. Don’t be afraid to bring the contracting folks into the process early. They can be useful in fashioning requirements.”
One student emphasized the networking benefits that the course provides as a result of hearing from various leaders and subject matter experts and discussing issues within his peer group.
“This course helps us start the transition from major or action officer to a leader of an enterprise,” said Lt. Col. Shermoan Daiyaan. “It gives us the opportunity to start thinking and talking about things specific to the acquisition corps. It’s a mental transition that’s important and we’re starting that now. … The opportunity to network is also beneficial because we’re getting to know people who can help us solve problems.”
The Army DACM Office plans to conduct two courses each year, in the spring and fall, to train the centrally selected managers before they assume their new positions. The next session is scheduled for April 2017 in the Washington area.
See more images of the course on the USAASC Flickr site.
The fourth AALPC was attended by 33 participants from across the acquisition leadership.
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