Ever wonder about the statutory requirements that guide the requirements for the defense acquisition workforce, life cycle logisticians, product support managers, the Defense Acquisition University or acquisition education, training and experience requirements? Well wonder no more. Here are a few insights, straight out of statute:

•            In addition to establishing requirements for product support, life cycle management and key product support definitions, 10 U.S.C §2337. Life-Cycle Management and Product Support states "the Secretary of Defense shall require that each major weapon system be supported by a product support manager" and outlines statutory responsibilities for product support managers for major weapon systems.

•            In addition, 10 U.S.C. §1706. Government Performance of Certain Acquisition Functions states "it shall be the goal of the Department of Defense and each of the military departments to ensure that, for each major defense acquisition program and each major automated information system program, each of the following positions is performed by a properly qualified member of the armed forces or full-time employee of the Department of Defense (to include)...(7) Program lead product support manager".

•            10 USC §1723. General Education, Training, and Experience Requirements mandates that “the Secretary of Defense shall establish education, training, and experience requirements for each acquisition position, based on the level of complexity of duties carried out in the position. In establishing such requirements, the Secretary shall ensure the availability and sufficiency of training in all areas of acquisition, including additional training courses with an emphasis on services contracting, market research strategies (including assessments of local contracting capabilities), long-term sustainment strategies (emphasis added), information technology, and rapid acquisition.”

•            10 U.S.C. §1746. Defense Acquisition University establishes the requirement for DAU, stating “the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, shall establish and maintain a defense acquisition university structure to provide for (1) the professional educational development and training of the acquisition workforce; and (2) research and analysis of defense acquisition policy issues from an academic perspective.”

•            10 U.S.C. §1721. Designation of Acquisition Positions mandates that “the Secretary of Defense shall designate in regulations those positions in the Department of Defense that are acquisition positions for purposes of this chapter”, establishing required positions, mandating that “the Secretary shall include, at a minimum, all acquisition-related positions in the following areas: (to include)…(5) Logistics