Educational opportunities in the DoD.

John T. Raines

Associate Director for Professional Development

American Society of Military Comptrollers

During the American Society of Military Comptrollers Professional Development Institute (PDI) 2005 in Salt Lake City, Utah, I attended the workshop titled "Educational Opportunities in the DoD." This workshop was led by Mr. John T. Raines. He invited Department of Defense (DoD) financial management educators to inform attendees on the academic programs offered through their institutions.

Defense Acquisition University (www.dau.mil). Emphasizes the Business, Cost Estimating, and Financial Management (BCFM) career track. The BCFM targets civilians in grades GS-5-9 and military officers in grades O1-O3. The BCFM career track offers three levels of certification.

Naval Postgraduate School (www.nps.edu). Offers both a Defense-focused master of business administration (MBA) program and an executive MBA (EMBA) program.

Syracuse University (www.som.syr.edu). Has a Defense Comptrollership Program that is unique in that students take courses in both the School of Management and the School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. They graduate with both a master of business administration and a master of arts in public administration. Attendees who do not already have the ASMC Certified Defense Financial Manager designation also prepare for and take that three-module examination.

Management Concepts (www.mgmtconcepts.com). Offers professional certification training that meets requirements for Contracting Officer Warrant Programs and Contracting Officer Representative/Contracting Officer Technical Representative certification requirements. The firm also offers training that prepares attendees for the three-module examination required to earn the Association of Government Accountants' Certified Government Financial Manager designation. Also offered through Management Concepts are various courses that meet continuing education requirements.

Defense Financial Management and Comptroller School (http.//www.asafm.army.mil/proponency/powbt/careerdevelopment/pmcs.html). Offers the Defense Financial Management Course (DFMC), a four-week professional continuing education course with strong emphasis on leadership skills and communication. The school also offers a Resource Management Mentorship Program (RMMP), which is a career development opportunity for both military and civilian personnel that emphasizes acquiring skills and increasing awareness of financial management training and career opportunities.

The Federal Executive Institute (www.leadership.opm.gov). Offers seminars for senior management designed to increase performance and enhance leadership skills. The Institute also customizes courses for government organizations.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (www.gibill.va.gov). Encourages veterans to use their benefits to further their education. Veterans have 10 years from their last day of service to use their benefits.

Conclusion

This PDI workshop targeted civilian GS-09 and above and military officers. For individuals who have not reached these levels in their professional careers, the workshop content provided direction for those setting professional goals. School representatives emphasized that individuals planning their careers must constantly continue to learn. The educators recommended highly that to further their careers, attendees needed both to obtain a master's degree and to seek opportunities to publish their writings.

Nearly all of the professional education programs offered through these institutions can be financed through an individual's organization. It is important to realize, however, that if funding is not available through the organization, everyone needs to manage his or her career and to determine ways to obtain the education necessary to meet career goals.

Reported by Jennifer E. Burdett

Mr. Jennifer E. Burdett has been a member of the Alamo Chapter of ASMC since November 2004 and became the Alamo Chapter's editor in April 2005.