Launch Your DOD Civilian Acquisition Career
Are you interested in a career within the DoD Acquisition and Sustainment workforce? The Defense Acquisition and Sustainment workforce is critical the mission success to enable the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter and international partners quickly and cost effectively. To execute the DoD Acquisition and Sustainment mission, its workforce requires tailored education, skills, and knowledge to perform many occupations, i.e. program manager, engineer, digital technology, financial manager, contract officer, logistician, etc.
Here are ways to help launch your civilian career within the DoD Acquisition and Sustainment workforce:
Click here to learn about DoD Acquisition and Sustainment certification and continuous learning opportunities.
Read below for more information on entry level training, career, scholarship opportunities and for frequently asked questions.
DoD College Acquisition Internship Program
The DoD College Acquisition Internship Program is a paid, 10 to 12-week summer internship that provides students with real-world exposure to Department of Defense acquisition workforce career opportunities. The program is geared toward second- and third-year students currently enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at an accredited college or university. Interns will receive hands-on, practical experience in analysis, research, report writing, oral briefings, policy development, program analysis, and computer applications.
For more information visit: DoD College Acquisition Internship Program
Naval Acquisition Development Program (NADP)
The Naval Acquisition Development Program (NADP) is a two to three-year leadership and development program designed to support the mission of the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Acquisition Workforce (AWF) with the Department of the Navy (DON). Aligned under the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN/RDA), the Naval Acquisition Career Center (NACC) serves as the primary organization to supply the DON with civilian Acquisition Workforce (AWF) personnel. The NADP is managed by the NACC in a joint effort with 14 naval commands to replenish and sustain the acquisition workforce by offering 25 different job series such as Contracting, Engineering, Information Technology, and Logistics, to name a few. Opportunities are available in 35 locations across the country, to include Hawaii and Guam. Positions are full time civilian career opportunities that start at the entry level GS-7 or GS-9, depending upon education and job series requirements, with promotion potential to the GS-12 level upon graduation of the program. If you’re interested in starting a career with the Department of the Navy and supporting our warfighter, consider the opportunities offered by NADP!
For more information visit: Naval Acquisition Development Program
Pathways Program
Careers at OPM - Students & Recent Graduates
The Pathways Program offers federal internship and employment opportunities for current students, recent graduates and those with an advanced degree.
For more information visit: USAJOBS Pathways Program, or click on one of the three available paths below:
Internship: The Pathways Internship Program provides selected students a paid opportunity (internship) with the Department of Defense while they are current enrolled high school, undergraduate or graduate school.
For additional information visit: Internships
Recent Graduate: This program provides an opportunity for recent graduates (within two years of degree or certificate completion) to participate in a career development program with the potential for conversion to a permanent position.
For additional information visit: Recent Graduates
For additional information on employment with the Department of Defense, please visit: Civilian Careers | DOD CIVILIAN CAREERS
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
Students and recent graduates, who identify as disabled and are registered with their university for accommodations, may be eligible for the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP). The WRP, which is co-managed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Human Resources Activity’s (DHRA) Diversity Management Operations Center (DMOC), connects federal and private sector employers with qualified post-secondary students and recent graduates for temporary and permanent job opportunities. Students and recent graduates need to submit their application at the website and endorsed by their university. Hiring activities search the applicant database and will contact individuals, individuals do not apply to positions. You can access WRP’s website at here. Applications are typically accepted in late August through mid-September annually.
Scholarship Opportunities
The Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program has been established by the Department of Defense (DoD) to support undergraduate and graduate students pursuing technical degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines.The program is an opportunity for students to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed by the Department of Defense (DoD) upon degree completion.
For more information visit and for other scholarship opportunities visit: SMART Scholarship Program, STEM Scholarships, Information Assurance Scholarship Program, and National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship
Defense Civilian Training Corps
The Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) is a congressionally-mandated talent development program that provides a multidisciplinary, active-learning curriculum with summer internship projects at DoD organizations. DCTC is a highly selective pilot program that provides a 100% tuition scholarship and two-year curriculum with a project-based summer internship that prepares scholars for direct pathway into DoD acquisition-related careers. The program is currently open to students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Purdue University; The University of Arizona and Virginia Tech University.
For more information visit: OUSD A&S - DCTC
Frequently Asked Questions
What is defense acquisition?
Defense acquisition professionals manage the investments of the United States in technologies, programs, products and services necessary to achieve the National Defense Strategy and to support the United States Armed Forces - Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen. Across 8 functional areas, over 160,000 professionals "make a difference" working with the private sector to design, develop, test, produce, deploy, sustain, and modify all the systems, supplies, and services necessary to meet mission needs across the Department of Defense.
If I apply for a job with the Department of Defense, does that mean I need to go to boot camp?
No. The Department of Defense acquisition workforce employs nearly 160,000 civilians in non-military jobs, ranging from program managers, scientists, engineers, software developers, financial managers, contract officers, to logisticians. No boot camp required.
I’m getting a Liberal Arts degree. Is there an acquisition career in the Department of Defense for me?
Yes. There are eight different functional areas in defense acquisition. While some of them, like engineering, are geared toward STEM fields, others like life cycle logistics, program management, and test and evaluation are open to all degree fields.
How do I apply for Federal jobs with the Department of Defense?
USAJOBS.gov is your one-stop shop for applying for jobs with the Federal government, including the Department of Defense.
What basic qualifications are required to apply?
The basic qualifications statement on each job announcement describes the type of credentials and experience a candidate is required to have in order to be considered for that particular opportunity. When completing your application, make sure your resume accurately reflects the skills and requirements listed. Check out USAJOBS Help Center - FAQs for more tips.
How long after submitting my application should I expect to wait before hearing from someone?
Each agency varies, but you’ll typically hear back within 15-30 days after the job announcement closes. If you haven’t heard back from the agency after 30 days, reach out to the point of contact listed in the job announcement.
Do you offer paid internships?
While the Department of Defense currently doesn’t have a centralized internship program at large, we do offer paid internship opportunities through the various acquisition commands, labs, and warfare centers. For Defense acquisition related internships check out the DoD College Acquisition Internship Program (DCAIP).
How will my career progress if I start off in an entry-level position?
It depends based on your degree of study and any experience you may have. While in college for a bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible for a GS-5 to a GS-7. Those with education beyond a bachelor’s such as a master or a doctorate may be eligible to start at a GS-9 to a GS-12. Several positions in the acquisition career field are part of the Acquisition Demonstration (AcqDemo) project and maybe graded in a pay band. You can find out what the GS level is for an AcqDemo position on their website: AcqDemo - Broadband Scale (hci.mil).
Does the Department of Defense offer tuition assistance or student loan repayment?
Yes, the Department of Defense offers the potential for federal student loan repayment and/or reimbursement for graduate school tuition. These are typically offered as a recruitment incentive, so be sure to check the job specifications and ask!
Do I need to be a U.S. Citizen?
Yes, Department of Defense civilian positions are only open to U.S. citizens.
Do I need to get a security clearance?
If hired for a federal job, you must at least go through a basic background check to make sure you're reliable, trustworthy, and suitable for the job. The background check process starts after you accept a job offer.
The hiring agency will ask you for the necessary personal information to start the background investigation process. The amount of information you'll need to give depends on the job.
It is highly encouraged that you read the security clearance information and adjudication guidelines that can be found at: Background Investigations for Applicants (dcsa.mil). A copy of the standard security questionnaire form can be found at: OPM.GOV.