International Competencies for the Defense Acquisition Workforce

Abstract : Although countless articles and papers have been written about the post-Cold War, post-September 11, 2001, changing dynamics of global affairs, the literature and dialogue are sparse concerning the international competencies of the U.S. government officials who have an active role in these changing dynamics. The 2003 RAND Corporation study, "New Challenges for International Leadership," highlights that important point, stating: "The United States confronts a world that is both networked and fractured, both full of promise and full of danger. The global role of the United States in the century ahead will require both breadth and depth. It will demand deep understanding of particular languages and cultures, including those from whence danger might arise, as well as broad, strategic perspectives on the economic and political forces that will shape the world." The statement summarizes the fact that global interconnectedness is required for successful governance. With such changing global dynamics, it is imperative that the civilian sector of the U.S. government develop and sustain a training program to reflect a growing demand for international competency in governance operations. Expanding the curricula of the International Acquisition Career Path (IACP) for the defense acquisition workforce is a positive step in this direction.