About Us

Mission

To execute Department of Defense-wide acquisition workforce governance, strategies, policies and talent management initiatives, supporting the National Defense Strategy and Components as they equip a highly-qualified workforce of professionals in developing, acquiring and sustaining world-class warfighting capabilities to our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardians and Marines.

Vision

To create a high quality, high-performing, agile Defense Acquisition Workforce, empowered to deliver the best possible acquisition outcomes in support of the Warfighter.

Values

• Agility - Remembering we are here to support the Warfighter - always looking for ways to achieve agility in the way we manage and respond to our acquisition workforce needs;
• Integrity - Never compromising our values and always taking the "high road" of ethical behavior in all that we do;
• Responsiveness - When a customer calls, we promptly "answer that call" with solutions in a positive, flexible and professional manner;
• Quality - We are proud of our call to public service and to the critical missions that we support. We will strive to achieve and maintain a culture reflecting the highest levels of performance, as we understand that "quality is not an event, but a habit;"
• Professionalism - While each of us self-improves to develop our career potential, we also do this to ensure the best possible acquisition outcomes out of respect for those Warfighters who "put it all on the line."

Mission Responsibilities

The Office of Human Capital Initiatives is responsible for assisting the (USD(A&S)) in carrying out statutory powers, functions, and duties of the Secretary of Defense with respect to the Defense Acquisition Workforce (AWF), and as it relates to the Defense Acquisition Improvement Act (DAWIA). In the increasingly fast-paced world of changing threats and evolving technologies, the DoD AWF must not only meet current needs, but anticipate future requirements and warfighting capabilities. The Office of Human Capital Initiatives will implement workforce strategies, policies and procedures that position the DoD to attract and retain the most competent professionals, to guarantee that the AWF is highly skilled and trained to meet current and future needs, and that DoD acquisition professionals share a culture that is dedicated to excellence and to serving the needs of the Warfighter.

DEFENSE ACQUISITION WORKFORCE SENIOR LEADERSHIP

Dr. William A. LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)), is responsible as the lead proponent for DoD's 187,300 member defense acquisition workforce and for implementing Secretary of Defense responsibilities under the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act. Dr. LaPlante and other senior leaders across DoD, supported by the Office of Human Capital Initiatives, provide governance and partner on talent management to create a professional, agile and motivated workforce that supports the National Defense Strategy and develops, acquires and sustains operational capability, timely and affordable, for the Warfighter. Dr. Radha I. Plumb is the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment. Mr. James P. Woolsey is the President of the Defense Acquisition University.

SERVICE/COMPONENT ACQUISITION EXECUTIVES

THE DEFENSE ACQUISITION FUNCTIONAL AREA LEADERS

Functional Area Leaders provide DoD-wide functional community leadership. In partnership with DoD component career/talent managers and subject matter experts, Functional Area Leaders establish and maintain currency of the enterprise requirements for their respective acquisition functional area (e.g., program management, contracting, engineering). Functional Area Leaders establish and maintain the competency and certification standards; acquisition position designation requirements. They also work with the Defense Acquisition University to ensure availability of enterprise certification/credentials and training that is current and supports enterprise customer needs.

DIRECTOR OF THE DAU OFFICE OF HUMAN CAPITAL INITIATIVES

Elizabeth Bryant, HCI Director, is responsible for overseeing the office's initiatives and activities, including the Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Account; Defense Acquisition Workforce Awards Program; Public-Private Talent Experience; DoD College Acquisition Internship Program; AcqDemo; acquisition workforce governance, strategic planning and policy; workforce legislation; and workforce analytics and metrics.

DIRECTORS FOR ACQUISITION CAREER MANAGEMENT/ACQUISITION TALENT MANAGEMENT

The Departments of the Army and Air Force, and the 4th Estate DACMS, and the Department of the Navy DATM act as conduits to assist communications between Defense Acquisition Workforce standards and the civilian and military workforce. The DACMs/DATM proactively identify workforce trends and counterchallenges by developing policies and programs to address gaps. They provide acquisition career and training expertise to their departments or agencies, and advocate for success. The DACMs/DATM work closely with hiring agencies and their constituents to recruit the best and brightest to the acquisition workforce.