University of Tennessee: DAU's performance based logistics course keeps pace with policy and practices.

LOG 235, the Defense Acquisition University's performance based logistics (PBL) final Level II certification course, has undergone significant revisions in 2005 to keep pace with the dynamic evolution of both PBL policy and actual program implementation practices. PBL was mandated as DoD's "preferred" product support strategy in the 2003 revision of the DoD 5000 Series.

LOG 235 is a hybrid course, with LOG 235A consisting of a 50-hour distance learning course consisting of 17 lessons focusing primarily on PBL concepts and their relationship to and effect on DoD traditional support functions and processes. LOG 235B is a one-week classroom course that uses case studies and exercises to provide students the opportunity to accomplish practical application of the concepts learned in LOG 235A.

In its first iteration, fielded in March 2004, there were few fully implemented PBL programs; consequently, a significant portion of the course continued to focus on the conceptual application of PBL processes. However, over the last year, more than 150 programs have either implemented PBL or are well along in the implementation process. Using this real-world PBL information, approximately 60 percent of the course content has been revised to reflect actual PBL implementation practices.

As a result, LOG 235B is now much more of a practical tools- and skills-based course, providing students tangible knowledge they can readily apply upon returning to the workplace.