If I had to choose one word to describe my tenure as the Army Director of Acquisition Career Management (DACM), it would be “change.” The past five years have brought…
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Please join the Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) in congratulating the selectees for the 2026-2027 academic year (AY) SSCF program.
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DACM Hot Topics offers a monthly overview of timely educational and career resources for Army Acquisition professionals to enhance their career success.
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As the Army continues to navigate changes in 2026, strong leadership and critical thinking skills remain at the forefront to maintain a workforce that is comprised of the most capable…
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DACM Hot Topics offers a monthly overview of timely educational and career resources for Army Acquisition professionals to enhance their career success.
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The SSCF program is a 10-month educational senior leadership developmental opportunity sponsored by the DACM Office.
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DACM Office proudly announces the 2027 Centralized Selection List, identifying the best-qualified leaders to serve in critical acquisition command and key billet positions.
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The DACM mission is to recruit, train and retain an agile, adaptive and professional workforce with the acquisition acumen and critical thinking skills to accelerate delivery capability to Soldiers.
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Introducing, “Behind the Frontlines: Enabling the Warfighter,” an all-online outlet consisting of exclusive and partner-created content focusing on Army acquisition.
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LaTrish M. Jones and Traci B. Williams were recently celebrated as graduates of the Year Group 2023 for the Leadership Excellence and Acquisition Development (LEAD) program.
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WELL-DESERVED AWARD Everett Roper, Ph.D., who recently went through the Centralized Section List process and was chosen for a GS-15 project manager position, receives the Professional Achievement in Government Award…
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WHAT’S NEW? CATALOG OF FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS Now that fiscal year 2025 is upon us, newly published program announcements are available! Perhaps you’re interested in getting…
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TAILOR YOUR CAST: Employers need to tailor their hiring approach to fit the group they are targeting. Just as different types of bait attract different fish, millennials and Gen Z…
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STRONG OBJECTIVES: From left, Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Garrett Yee, vice president and general manager at GDIT; James and Craig Whitten, met in Sept. 2022, in Falls Church. Yee and Whitten…
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ROUGH SEAS: The stakeholder network can answer a boat-load of questions and help workforce members as they navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of career planning and development. (Images by Getty…
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DOUBLE TIME: The IVAS program went from a concept to a rapid fielding decision in two years thanks to iterative, Soldier-focused design, alternative acquisition methods and innovations that leveraged existing…
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OPENING REMARKS: The Hon. Ellen Lord, former undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, office of the secretary of defense public affairs, records opening remarks for the TEDxDAU…
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ROLL CALL: Adm. Mike Mullen, left, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, congratulated the author at the National Defense University commencement exercise in June 2010. (Photo courtesy of…
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REMARKABLE SERVICE: Spisak delivered comments to members of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) at the AAW Summit in September 2017. Craig Spisak may be retiring, but his legacy…
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Jan. 25, 2021)—“Hold on to your hat, because big changes are coming our way,” said Army Director of Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Craig A. Spisak.…
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IN THE FEEDBACK LOOP: A rifle squad from 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, visit Bell Flight’s Arlington, Texas, facility in October. The Soldiers provided crucial feedback on the…
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IN THE ROTATION: Under the redesigned LEAD program, the entire cohort of fellows will complete a concurrent six-month rotation at the Pentagon, working as Department of the Army…
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DACM OFFICE UPDATE ARMY ACQUISITION WORKFORCE (AAW) HUMAN CAPITAL STRATEGIC PLAN (HCSP) People are a top priority in the Army, and one of the many ways we’re…
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FROM THE DIRECTOR FOR ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT CRAIG A. SPISAK Developing leaders for the future Army Acquisition Workforce doesn’t stop, not even in the face of a…
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Oct. 17, 2020)—During the final week of August, the two Inspiring and Developing Excellence in Acquisition Leaders (IDEAL) program cohorts came together via Microsoft Teams…
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ONWARD AND UPWARD: The SRPE is forward-looking, an assessment of the potential for civilian acquisition professionals to perform in positions of increased responsibility, based on their demonstrated leadership skills. In…
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VIRTUAL LEARNING: Student-centered learning will help mitigate the challenges people have with distance learning. (Image by U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center) The challenges of virtual education are many…
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The first cohort of Army Acquisition Degree Curriculum 522 is ready to graduate with a Master of Science degree in systems engineering management from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey,…
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Amy Larson TITLE: Contract Specialist COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Army Contracting Command – Rock Island YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 6.5 AAW/DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Level III in contracting; Level I in information technology and…
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Joan L. Sable COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center TITLE: Deputy director, Acquisition Career Management Office; chief, Army Acquisition Workforce Strategy and Communications Division YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE:…
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FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT CRAIG A. SPISAK Supporting the future force by building a more technically savvy Army Acquisition Corps. You can only get out of a…
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Policy changes are shaping the way we do business An AAFL is a fairly new role in the Army acquisition community. On Sept. 4, the Army DACM signed a memo…
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By Joan Sable, Army Deputy Director, Acquisition Career Management (DDACM) On Jan. 29, Hon. Ellen M. Lord, undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment (USD(A&S)), signed a memo titled “Department…
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Army DACM Office Updates: Craig Spisak, Director of Acquisition Career Management (DACM), has officially appointed Joan Sable as the Deputy DACM. In that role, Sable will act on behalf…
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Army DACM Office Updates: Business – cost estimating and business – financial management have new certification training requirements as of Jan. 1. More details can be found here: https://asc.army.mil/web/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Oct2018_DACM-Newsletter.pdf .…
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. (July 26, 2018)—The July issue of the DACM Newsletter is filled with the latest news and updated information about Army acquisition career development. Knowing how to leverage…
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Army DACM Office Updates The money is in! The Army received its FY18 Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Fund (DAWDF) allocation on Oct. 23, 2017. Work with your DAWDF Program Analyst,…
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In the absence of a single, unifying intranet, knowing where to find key resources is the next best thing. by Mr. Steve Stark When I came onboard as senior editor…
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More than 30 initiatives are underway, and we’re just getting started. by Ms. Joan L. Sable October 2017 marks the completion of the first year of a five-year Army Acquisition…
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This career basic helps acquisition workforce members keep track of what they need to do and when. By Mr. Robert E. Coultas Jobs in defense acquisition are unlike most others…
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The AALPC primes program managers for success as acquisition leaders by Craig A. Spisak Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center One of the imperatives for a program manager (PM) to…
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Here’s why you should reconsider By Shannon Potter and Wen Lin, Army DACM Office Let’s be honest. Supervisors have a lot of administrative requirements and likely are not looking for…
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By Tara Clements Just before his retirement in March, we had the opportunity to sit down with Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson and capture some of his reflections after more…
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The Senior Rater Potential Evaluation is key to identifying the AAW’s civilian future leaders. Perspective from the USAASC Director Craig Spisak Nothing that I or any other leader within the…
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Earning DAWIA certification is challenging but not impossible, and it creates a smarter, stronger acquisition workforce. By Robert E. Coultas There are jobs, and then there are careers. And for…
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By Susan L. Follett ORLANDO, Fla. (Dec. 2, 2015) – The Hon. Heidi Shyu, the Army acquisition executive (AAE) and the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and…
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Hot Topics – November 3, 2015 By Marti Giella Hot Topics is a monthly breakdown of current news, important dates and updates affecting the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW)…
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Army DACM Office introduces Hot Topics 2.0 By Tara Clements and Marti Giella FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Oct. 6, 2015) – Hot Topics is back, providing a monthly breakdown…
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‘Required’ Reading: Latest Army AL&T magazine online By Steve Stark FORT BELVOIR, Va. (June 30, 2015) — The newest edition of Army AL&T magazine is all about requirements and in…
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By Natalie Duncan FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 29, 2015) – The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM), Lt. Gen. Michael Williamson kicked off the first-ever Army Acquisition Leader Preparation Course…
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By Tara Clements FT. BELVOIR, Va. (April 22, 2015) – Leaders from the office responsible for supporting the director of acquisition career management for the Army, or Army DACM Office,…
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By Steve Stark FORT BELVOIR, Va. (April 9, 2015) – Army acquisition's Training with Industry (TWI) Program welcomed its new cohort of 10 officers at an orientation at the Fort…
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By Tara Clements and Jack Kendall FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Feb. 26, 2015)—Fourteen candidates from the Army Acquisition Corps were selected from the first-ever product director centralized selection board held Dec.…
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Hot Topic #1: Naval Postgraduate School Master of Science in Program Management (NPS-MSPM) Program Announcement The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) has the announced the offering of NPS-MSPM Program,…
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By Stan Emelander FORT BELVOIR, Va. – The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center’s Office of the Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) conducted the final survey for its pilot acquisition…
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Talent management strategy seeks to grow, develop future acquisition leaders By LTG Michael E. Williamson, Director,Acquisition Career Management Force 2025 and Beyond is a comprehensive effort to develop concepts into…
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By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. – The 51C noncommissioned officer (NCO) reclassification board held here and concluded early December selected 10 candidates for reclassification. This board was the…
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Hot Topic #1: 2015 University of Tennessee (UT) Aerospace and Defense MBA (ADMBA) Program The U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC) Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office is pleased…
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By Tara Clements and Steve Stark The Army DACM Discusses Talent Management FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Nov. 3, 2014) – Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, Army director, acquisition career management (DACM),…
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Hot Topic #1: FY 15/16 Announcement - The Army Acquisition Pilot Product Director Board closes Nov. 14 The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office and U.S. Army Acquisition Support…
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By Steve Stark FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Oct. 1, 2014)—The new edition of Army AL&T magazine is here and it’s all about people—the 38,000-strong Army Acquisition Workforce with special recognition for…
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By Tara Clements FT. BELVOIR, Va. (Sept. 24, 2014) – The Office of the Assistant Secretary for the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) connected virtually with members of…
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Marti Giella, Acquisition Training and Education ManagerAdvanced Civil Schooling (ACS) provides opportunities for officers to pursue advanced degree programs at civilian universities on a full-time, fully funded basis. The purpose…
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Hot Topic #1: The Annual Senior Rater Potential Evaluation (SRPE) In November 2004, the Army director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) spearheaded the implementation of the automated Senior Rater Potential…
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By Karen Kurtz WASHINGTON (Sept. 4, 2014) – The Principal Military Deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)), Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson,…
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Lasting bonds based on trust, respect and confidence are the foundation of the future By Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, Director Acquisition Career Management Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson, Director…
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Training with Industry program brings best practices from private sector to Army acquisition By Mr. Robert E. Coultas Sometimes the best way to further an Army acquisition career is to…
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By Audra Calloway During a two-day session at the Pentagon last month, approximately 30 members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) gathered to discuss how to improve civilian career development.…
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Scott Greene, Army DACM Office Education and Training Branch Chief Do you need a few more college courses to meet your business hour requirement to become an Army Acquisition Corps…
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Hot Topic #1: Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program (ALCP) “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” - President John F. Kennedy The Army Director, Acquisition Management (DACM) Office is sponsoring…
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Talent management is more than human resources (HR); it’s a set of integrated HR processes with the ultimate and ongoing goal of creating and sustaining an inclusive, diverse and high-performing…
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By Steve Stark Have you ever thought of trading in your ACUs for a business suit for a few months or maybe a year? This might just be your chance:…
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Scott Greene, Army DACM Office Education and Training Branch Chief Are you in a GS-7 to 11 (or broadband equivalent) acquisition position and believe you have what it takes to…
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. (May 21, 2014) — The May edition of the director, acquisition career management (DACM) newsletter is out now and available at https://asc.army.mil/web/dacm-newsletter/. Get the news you need…
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By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. (May 19, 2014) -- Thirteen members of the 2011 Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) were recognized at a graduation ceremony at Defense…
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By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. (May 12, 2014) – Fourteen candidates were selected for reclassification as a result of the 51C Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) reclassification board held here April…
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Managers encouraged to nominate high-achieving teams, individuals By Steve Stark FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- The past year presented more than its share of challenges to the acquisition workforce, and…
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By Lt. Col. Jim Craig Do you have acquisition experience that you could use to continue to benefit the U.S. Army? Would you like to gain or hone these…
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Lt. Gen. Michael E. Williamson became the principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology (ASA(ALT)) and the director, acquisition career management…
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Competitive Development Group welcomes 2014 fellows The Director, U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC), Craig Spisak, welcomes seven new Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellowship (CDG/AAF) fellows during an orientation meeting…
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Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquisition, Education and Training Branch 2014 Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): Applications will be accepted starting March 12- April 21. Following a…
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Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquisition, Education and Training Branch Defense Acquisition University-Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF): The DAU-SSCF Announcement opened Jan. 29 and closes April 2,…
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By Tara Clements FORT BELVOIR, Va. – If you think the movie “Her” is futuristic, members of the Office of the Army Director for Acquisition Career Management (DACM) have…
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Education and training opportunities Congratulations to Newly Selected Competitive Development Group/Army Acquisition Fellows: Congratulations to the Year Group 14 (YG 14) CDG/AAF inductees. The YG 14 inductees are: Kyle Bruner,…
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By Susan L. Follett Trying to determine the best way to manage civilian career development can be daunting, given the array of available tools and requirements. Staying current on…
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Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquistion, Education and Training Branch Defense Acquisition University-Senior Service College Fellowship (DAU-SSCF): The DAU-SSCF Announcement will open Jan. 29 and close April…
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By Darrell Whitehurst FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Seven Army acquisition professionals are recent graduates of this year’s Excellence in Government Fellows (EIGF) program conducted by the Partnership for Public…
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Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquistion, Education and Training Branch FY14 Acquisition Education and Training (AET) Announcements The FY14 schedule for acquisition, training and education (AET) opportunities…
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Education and training opportunities By USAASC Acquistion, Education and Training Branch Continuous Learning Points (CLP) Glide Path Each Acquisition Workforce member must obtain 80 continuous learning (CL) points…
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Education and training opportunities FY14 Acquisition Education and Training (AET) Announcements The FY14 schedule for AET opportunities has been finalized. All AET opportunities (except for Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program)…
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Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Training The FY14 schedule was released on May 16, 2013 and is available for student registration. Planning and applying early affords students a better opportunity in…
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By Tara Clements ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (July 10, 2013) – Diane Bullis, a supervisory operations research analyst for Program Executive Office (PEO) Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA), was…
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Civilian Education System (CES) Per Army Regulation 350-1, many civilians are required to complete the appropriate Civilian Education System course(s) depending on their grade level and supervisory responsibility. This becomes…
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Even in the face of significant fiscal constraints, our acquisition workforce still has statutory requirements to meet. Therefore, we will still be offering many of our Acquisition Education, Training and…
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Faces of the Force: Anthony “Cory” Foster POSITION: Contracting Proponency Officer UNIT: U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center, Fort Belvoir, Va. TOTAL YEARS OF SERVICE: 10 EDUCATION: B.A. Business…
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Education and Training Opportunities The Army Director of Acquisition Career Management (DACM) office, along with the rest of the Department of Defense, has recently received significant funding cuts. However, our…
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Army Acquisition Civilian Leadership Development Plan The Army Director of Acquisition Career Management (DACM) recently published our first leadership development plan for civilians. Unfortunately, there is not one clear path…
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