OPPORTUNITIES
CLOSING SOON – FISCAL YEAR 2026 DOD PUBLIC PRIVATE TALENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM
There’s still time to reach for the stars. A few days remain to apply to the DOD PPTE program; applications are accepted until Sept 5. PPTE gives mid-career acquisition workforce professionals in the grades of GS-12 through GS-15 (or broadband equivalent) an opportunity to work with an industry partner for up to six months. The program facilitates the sharing of innovative best practices and enables participants to gain a better understanding of industry’s business operations and challenges. For more information, visit the DoD PPTE page here.
SAVE THE DATE: APPLICATIONS FOR THE DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY-SENIOR SERVICE COLLEGE FELLOWSHIP OPEN ON NOV. 3
The stars may be aligning for you on Nov. 3 because this is when the application window opens for the Defense Acquisition University-Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF) program. DAU-SSCF is a 10-month training and educational program that provides leadership and acquisition training to prepare senior level civilians for leadership roles such as product and project manager, program executive officer, and other key acquisition leadership positions to include within contracting. The program conducts multiple acquisition activities to include:
*Please note that acquisition activities are subject to change per AR621-7, Chapter 2-1c.
DAU-SSCF is offered through two options: by virtual seminar or by a resident-based seminar at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. The DAU-SSCF application window is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2025 – Jan. 23, 2026, and selectees will be notified in the spring of 2026.
SAVE THE DATE: FISCAL YEAR 2026 STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM OPENS ON OCT. 1
Wishing upon a star? Make your dreams come true by applying to the fiscal year 2026 Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) starting Oct. 1. Open through Nov. 15, this annually funded program is designed to repay federally insured student loans as a retention incentive for civilian acquisition employees with critical acquisition skills. You are encouraged to plan ahead as there will be no extensions to the application closing date. SLRP is available under the authority of the Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Account, Section 852, Article 1705, Public Law 110-181. For details and how to apply, visit the SLRP page.
NCO MOS 51Cs – GET YOUR ADVANCED CIVIL SCHOOLING DEGREE
Earn a “gold star” at school! If you’re considering earning your advanced degree, here’s your chance to pursue your advanced degree utilizing the Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) 51C Advanced Civil Schooling (ACS) program. The application window is open now through Dec. 10. ACS gives Army NCOs a chance to pursue advanced degrees in acquisition or business-related disciplines at civilian universities on a full-time, fully funded basis.
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The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) Army Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office fully funds board-selected officers enrolled in advanced education programs. NCO 51Cs are eligible to participate in the Naval Postgraduate School’s “Defense Contract Management – Curriculum 815” program as part of ACS. NPS 815 is a resident, 18-month, defense-focused program whose students graduate with an M.B.A. in acquisition and contract management. The program provides students an advanced education with an interdisciplinary approach to solving problems and analyzing policy by applying advanced quantitative, financial, economics, information technology and other state-of-the-art management techniques. Selectees will be notified in February of 2026. Visit the NCO ACS webpage for details and how to apply.
MAJ. GEN. HAROLD J. “HARRY” GREENE ACQUISITION AWARDS WRITING COMPETITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Aim for the stars!
The 12th annual 2025 Maj. Gen. Harold J. “Harry” Greene Awards for Acquisition Writing competition is now accepting entry submissions. Lt. Gen. Robert M. Collins, principal military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, announced the opening on July 15.
Prospective authors may submit articles, opinion pieces or essays from 500 to 1,800 words in one of the following four categories:
A distinguished panel of judges will select four award winners and honorable mentions, one for each category. The winners of the 12th annual writing competition will be recognized during the annual U.S. Army Acquisition Executive’s Excellence in Leadership Awards Ceremony, scheduled to be held in January 2026 in Washington, D.C. Submissions must be unclassified, original and not previously published. All entries must be submitted by email no later than midnight, Oct. 10, 2025. The official CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS document, titled “2025 Writing Award Call for Submissions_20250715.pdf”, can be found toward the bottom of this page.
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ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS: NEW DEVSECOPS DEFENSE ACQUISITION CREDENTIAL IS NOW AVAILABLE
Let your starlight shimmer with a DevSecOps defense acquisition credential. If your work requires you to understand acquisition details necessary to acquire Agile-DevSecOps software development capabilities, this credential is perfect for you. This credential is not just for software developers! This credential can also be beneficial for project managers, engineering and technical management (ETM) professionals, testers, logisticians, business managers and financial managers. This “Introduction to DOD DevSecOps” credential introduces you to the advancement of Agile into DevSecOps.
You’ll dive into modern software development and delivery, including several hands-on learning experiences to ensure practical understanding and application. This credential takes approximately 30 hours to complete, comprising nine courses and a two-part capstone exercise. Ultimately, this comprehensive credential will equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the field of DevSecOps and help you to discover modern approaches to software development and delivery that drive mission success. Visit the CENG 032 webpage for details and to apply to this credential.
LIFE CYCLE LOGISTICS PROFESSIONALS: UPDATED CREDENTIAL FAQs AVAILABLE
Are you interested in earning a Life Cycle Logistics (LCL) defense acquisition credential? If so, be sure to read up on these updated FAQs pertaining to LCL credentials through Defense Acquisition University (DAU). These helpful insider pointers help to define and clarify differences between certification, credentials and DAU playlists. They also include credential expirations dates and pro-tips on completing credentials. Check out the updated LCL credential FAQs here.
REMINDERS
STATUTORY POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Friendly reminder that all Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) professionals must complete their end of fiscal year requirements:
Don’t forget—you must also document it in your individual development plan through TED or CAPPMIS to be counted as compliant. Don’t risk showing up as non-compliant in end of fiscal year reports that the DACM Office sends to the commands or organizations. Online or in-person training options are available.
Learn more and view the full policy HERE.
WELCOME NEW HIRES –
THIS ONBOARDING COURSE IS FOR YOU!
If you were recently hired into the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW), you’ll want to sign up for the “Welcome to the Army Acquisition Workforce” course. This course should be completed within the first few months of joining the acquisition workforce as it offers a dynamic overview of:
There is a downloadable resources guide included with the course. You are highly encouraged to download and save a copy of this resources guide for your records. Once you have closed the course topic, your completion will show up on your Army Training Information System (ATIS) LEARNING MY CERTIFICATES page. Click the certificate file icon to view and download the course certificate of completion.
