May 2019 Hot Topics!

Army DACM Office Updates:

• ARMY’S 2018 ACQUISITION AWARD WINNERS!

Original Army AL&T News article authored by Susan L. Follett (https://asc.army.mil/web/news-army-acquisition-executive-announces-excellence-in-leadership-awards/).

Congratulations to the individuals and teams listed below who received 2018 Army Acquisition Executive Excellence in Leadership Awards at a ceremony April 25 at the Pentagon. These shining Army stars significantly improved their organizations and the acquisition community as a whole.

• Acquisition Support Professional of the Year: Breck Tarr, PEO C3T
• Business Operations Professional of the Year: Chary Isabel Hernandez, JPEO Armaments and Ammunition
• Defense Export and Cooperation Professional of the Year: Elizabeth Miller, PEO GCS
• Engineering and Systems Integration Professional of the Year: Tara Claussen, PEO C3T
• Logistician of the Year: Michelle Link, PEO GCS
• Science and Technology Professional of the Year: Jason Matheney, PEO IEW&S
• Product Management/Product Director Office Professional of the Year (O-5 Level): Lt. Col. Matthew Clark, JPEO-CBRND
• Project Management/Project Director Office Professional of the Year (O-6 Level): Col. Richard Haggerty, PEO STRI
• Product Management/Product Director Office Team of the Year (O-5 Level): 15th Armored Brigade Combat Team, PEO GCS
• Project Management/Project Director Office Team of the Year (O-6 Level): Multi-National Aviation Special Project Office, PEO Aviation

• ARE WE HEALTHY?

The Army Director, Acquisition Career Management (DACM) Office is taking a long look at the professional health of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW). The Competency and Career Development Assessment, which sent out its first round of surveys in 2017, aims to collect data that will help identify gaps in training, experience and acquisition career field skills among the 41,000 members of the AAW. The next round of surveys is scheduled to be conducted this spring and will focus on assessing the competency gaps from the point of view of supervisors. Read more about this assessment initiative in an Army AL&T News article written by Jacqueline M. Hames at https://asc.army.mil/web/news-minding-the-gap/.

• The Army DACM Office is shaping the way we do functional acquisition business by appointing Army Acquisition Functional Leaders (AAFLs). A new AAFL initiative establishes the role of a functional leader to provide senior-level strategic vision, advice and support necessary to guide AAW initiatives from the perspective of each of the 13 acquisition career fields. A list of AAFLs for each acquisition career field can be found in on page 8 of the April 2019 DACM Newsletter. For specific roles and responsibilities for AAFLs, be sure to review policy memorandum issued Sept. 4, 2018, which you can find at https://asc.army.mil/web/aafl-and-aafa-policy-4-sep-2018/.

• THE ARMY RESERVE AND NATIONAL GUARD ARE PHASING OUT THE ACRB

All U.S. Army Reserve and Army National Guard Functional Area (FA) 51 officers and noncommissioned officers are required to have an Acquisition Career Record Brief (ACRB) through the Career Acquisition Personnel and Position Management Information System (CAPPMIS). Beginning in the third quarter of FY19, however, the Army DACM Office will begin integration of an automated data exchange that will eliminate the necessity of the ACRB for the Army Reserve Component.

The move to eliminate the ACRB results in part from implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Pay System – Army, which consolidates stove-piped systems. The Army DACM Office is beginning to work toward developing and executing a plan for automating the Army Reserve CAPPMIS information exchange.

We recognize this will be a big change for many Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers, especially as many are also civilian acquisition professionals. (NOTE: If you are an Army Reserve or National Guard Soldier and a civilian acquisition professional, you will need to maintain your ACRB for your civilian job.)

The bottom line is that the use of the ORB/ERB for Army Reserve and National Guard officers and noncommissioned officers will reduce redundancy and improve efficiency both across our systems and with our people. You will no longer have to proactively update your ACRB, saving you time to focus on other priorities.

Find more information on page 4 of the April 2019 DACM Newsletter. If you have any questions, please contact Lt. Col. Ryan Leonard, Army Reserve, at ryan.d.leonard.mil @mail.mil or 703-664-5719; or Lt. Col. Teresa Childs, Army National Guard, at teresa.e.childs.mil @mail.mil or 703-664-5722.

Acquisition Training, Education and Leader Development Opportunities:

• INTERESTED IN A KEY LEADERSHIP POSITION AS A PROJECT MANAGER OR ACQUISITION DIRECTOR?

Now’s your chance to apply for the FY21 Amy Acquisition Centralized Selection List. The Centralized Selection List opportunities opened up for applications on April 25, 2019. To be eligible, applicants must be Acquisition Corps members eligible for promotion or repromotion to GS-15 (or broadband equivalent), or DOD employees who are Acquisition Corps members interested in a lateral move to GS-15 or a change to lower grade from an equivalent broadband grade or Senior Executive Service. Eligible applicants must be DAWIA Level III certified in program management and/or contracting at the time of application. The application process can be completed in CAPPMIS at https://rda.altess.army.mil/camp/. Look for the green tab labeled AAPDS. Go to the Army DACM Office website for specific program details: https://asc.army.mil/web/centralized-selection-list/.

NOW AVAILABLE: These new DAU courses are now in the FY20 schedule:

• BCF 132 replaced BCF 131.

Information for BCF 132 is available at

http://icatalog.dau.mil/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=12244

• BCF 331 replaced BCF 330.

Information for BCF 330 is available at

http://icatalog.dau.mil/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=12242

• CON 091 replaced CON 090.

Information for CON 091 is available at http://icatalog.dau.mil/onlinecatalog/courses.aspx?crs_id=12225

• Enhance your career by participating in the Senior Enterprise Talent Management (SETM) program or the Enterprise Talent Management (ETM) program. These Army talent management programs are geared toward candidates with excellent potential and are designed to produce senior civilian leaders with an enterprise perspective who could serve in positions of increasing levels of responsibility. Applications are being accepted through May 15, and the selected participants will be notified in January 2020.

Key elements of the SETM program include:

1. Defense Senior Leader Development Program, which is open to GS-14/15s and their equivalents.
2. Senior Service College (Resident and Distance Education), which is open to GS-14/15s and their equivalents.
3. Project-based Temporary Duty (TDY) assignments, which are open to GS-14/15s and their equivalents.

Key elements of the ETM program include:

1. Command and General Staff Officers Course, which is open to GS-13s and their equivalents.
2. Executive Leader Development Program, which is open to GS-12/13s and their equivalents.
3. Project-based TDY assignments, which are open to GS-13s and their equivalents.
4. Shadowing Experience Program, which is open to GS-13s and their equivalents.

For more information, go to the Civilian Senior Leader Development Office webpage at https://www.csldo.army.mil//index.aspx.

If you are in a program executive office or at ASA(ALT) headquarters, your DACM Office POC for more information is Joyce Junior, who can be reached at joyce.b.junior.civ @mail.mil or 703-664-5684. Participating command POCs are listed on the SETM website at https://www.csldo.army.mil//9_howto/cpocs.aspx.

• Opening soon! Starting May 6, applications can be submitted for the Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP). This is a wonderful opportunity for AAW civilians who are pursuing:
  • Army Acquisition Corps membership.
  • A bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in a business or acquisition discipline.
  • Formal education required for DAWIA certification in specific Army acquisition career fields.

The ATAP is also open for 51C NCOs who need to meet DAWIA certification education requirements in the contracting acquisition career field. Detailed information about ATAP can be found at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/acquisition-tuition-assistance-program/.

• Are you ready for a challenge? From May 1 – May 31, the Acquisition Leadership Challenge Program (ALCP) application window is open for nominations for the fourth quarter of FY19. AAW members can submit ALCP applications through their Organizational Acquisition Point of Contact. This leadership program is designed to teach critical professional skills, including self-awareness, communications, critical thinking, resiliency, influence, decision-making, interpersonal relations, goal-setting and innovation. The Army DACM Office centrally funds tuition for all course offerings and TDY expenses for the Atlanta course offerings. Go to the ALCP webpage at https://asc.army.mil/web/career-development/programs/acquisition-leadership-challenge-program/ for additional program details.

• THE ARMY GHOST PROGRAM IS OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS

The application widow is open for the FY20 U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Ghost Program. This is a unique, broadening opportunity for junior Army acquisition officers to directly support the mission of providing Special Operations Forces with unique capabilities for downrange warfighters. During a 90-day TDY rotation at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Ghosts are immersed in a fast-paced, highly rewarding, joint environment. As part of their assignment, Ghosts will lead a 90-day sprint to meet the demanding needs of our Special Operations Forces operators. The lessons they learn will increase their knowledge of rapid acquisitions and prepare them to assume future responsibilities as program managers or contracting officers in any organization. USSOCOM is primarily looking for high-performing acquisition captains and majors (O-3/O-4) with two to four years of acquisition experience. The program is continuously accepting nominations and has flexible start dates throughout each quarter. The Ghost program is DAWDF-funded and no cost the applicant’s command. To apply, or for questions, send an email to: ghost-recruiting @socom.mil.

FACES of the FORCE: Highlighting Army Acquisition Professionals

What do hockey and Army acquisition have in common?

Find out by reading the latest “Faces of the Force” profile at https://asc.army.mil/web/news-tacoms-sustainment-liaison/. Benton Gady, director of the Acquisition Life Cycle Cell with U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, explains how he navigates through both arenas—sometimes using the same skills.

We’re always looking to spotlight the work of the Army Acquisition Workforce. Highlight the interesting work you or your teammates are doing in support of the warfighter. Don’t be shy—tell us what you’re working on. Complete the Faces of the Force nomination form and we’ll help get the word out. Details at https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-submissions/.

Stay Connected:

• New documents added to the DACM Office Policy Library: https://asc.army.mil/web/alt-workforce-policy-procedure/ Recommended Continuous Learning Point memorandums for each acquisition career field, the DACM memorandum on Army Acquisition Functional Leaders and more.
• Army Acquisition Demonstration Project (AcqDemo) additions: https://asc.army.mil/web/acqdemo/ Conversion buy-in and ACDP worksheet; FAQ log; Army AcqDemo results for FY18; and the General Pay Increase tables.