The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics & Materiel Readiness (L&MR) yesterday issued a new policy memo dated February 1, 2016 entitled “"DoD Product Support Manager Mandatory Training Requirement".

This new policy supersedes an earlier February 27, 2014 ODASD(MR) memorandum of the same title and describes:  (1) requirements for LOG 465 Executive Product Support Manager’s Course attendance, and (2) actions needed to facilitate attendance, stating “10 USC §2337 Life-Cycle Management and Product Support requires that a Product Support Manager (PSM) be assigned for each major DoD weapon system.  In support of this statutory requirement, the Life Cycle Logistics Functional Leader tasked the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) to develop an executive-level classroom course specifically for PSMs.  In 2014, DAU deployed LOG 365 “Executive Product Support Manager’s Course” to fulfill this assignment-specific training requirement.  LOG 365 was re-designated as LOG 465 effective October 1, 2015.  The course is a two-week resident course offered at the DAU campus located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.”

The new memo goes on to state “attendance in the DAU LOG 465 course is mandatory for assigned DoD PSMs for all Acquisition Category (ACAT) I Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP), ACAT IA Major Automated Information System (MAIS) programs, ACAT II programs, and former ACAT I/II programs that are post-initial operating capability (post-IOC) or no longer have a program manager reporting to a Component Acquisition Executive (CAE).  Currently assigned PSMs are expected to successfully complete the course by August 2017.  Individuals subsequently assigned to PSM positions are expected to complete the course within 24 months of assignment.  LOG 465 attendance is also mandatory for defense acquisition workforce members who have been pre-qualified by the Life Cycle Logistics (LCL) PSM Key Leadership Position (KLP) Joint Qualification Board. While not mandatory, ACAT III program PSMs may attend if endorsed by their senior executive.”