Many of you have probably already visited the new “Getting Back-to-Basics (BtB): Empowering the Workforce” and “Build Skills with a Defense Acquisition Credential” websites. Information on both Back-to-Basics and Defense Acquisition Credentials is accessible directly from the DAU homepage; and while they are separate initiatives, both are inextricably linked. As the Department of Defense moves forward with perhaps the most significant transformation of defense acquisition workforce professional development in a generation, I first wanted to encourage you to visit and peruse these two websites. I also wanted to take a moment offer a few personal thoughts in terms of changes already underway or are on the horizon -- and what that means for us as defense acquisition and sustainment professionals:

• More lifelong learning
• More streamlined functional areas
• More streamlined certification requirements
• More workforce choice in selecting job-relevant training opportunities
• More Interdisciplinary integration
• More just-in-time training opportunities
• More virtual instructor-led and live online learning opportunities
• More chunked, more interactive, more targeted learning opportunities
• More innovative, more interesting, more engaging learning assets
• More multimedia training opportunities
• More rapid pace of change in policy, processes, guidance and threats
• More real-world examples and scenarios
• More application-based training opportunities
• More close alignment with life cycle logistics competencies
• More tightly aligned learning assets
• More integration between 12 integrated product support (IPS) elements

What won’t be changing? For one thing, the dedicated, knowledgeable, top-caliber DAU faculty committed to the professional development of our workforce and support of your mission to achieve successful acquisition outcomes.