U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees from districts around the nation convened at the USACE Learning Center in Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 24-28, to participate in the only District Office Introductory Course that will be offered at the Center for fiscal year 2014.
The USACE DOIC course is designed to orient the newly assigned military engineering and contracting professionals who have little or no business experience in the USACE environment.
The DOIC course, offered at the ULC for the first time in 1991, is structured to take students through all phases of military and civil works projects. Specific topic areas include: project management business processes, civil works, military construction, contracting, legal areas and emergency management.
James Mitchell, chief for the ULC's Engineering, Construction and Training Division, said they have seen an increase in course enrollments since 2012. He said the 37 class slots filled up quickly.
"Many of the students are project managers who haven't reported to their prospective districts yet," Mitchell said. "The course gives them an opportunity to interact with USACE leaders on special topics like learning the Corps business model, handling assignments, manpower issues and strategic communications. Overall, the course teaches them the ropes about their roles and responsibilities within the divisions and districts they will serve."
“The course is structured to take students through all phases of military and civil works projects,” said Stacey English, an instructional system specialist at the ULC. “Specific topic areas include the Project Management Business Process, civil works, military construction, contracting, legal areas and emergency management.”
The goal of the program is to provide training and experience necessary for military officers and noncommissioned officers to successfully perform duties leading up to and including those of a district commander. The course also gave students an opportunity to interact with USACE leadership.
Maj. Gen. Todd Semonite, deputy commanding general, USACE, and Maj. Gen. Kendall Cox, deputy commanding general for Military and International Operations, USACE, spoke to students during the course.
"We are the Army's engineers and should be their first choice for engineering work on Army installations. We must educate them about the work that we do," Cox said. "There are two things that matter most to me on our projects - one is safety and the other is quality. My charge to each of you is to never waver on safety or quality. You are the face of the Corps. Set the standard for your professionals."
Semonite said he is pleased with the course because of the added value it gives students for their professional development.
"It is very important for our Corps' leaders to train their new leaders. I recommend that all officers and enlisted personnel who are new to the Corps take the DOIC course early on because it's integral to their success with the organization," Semonite said.
"I didn't have the same training opportunities they have as new officers when I was a young officer coming up through Army ranks after graduating West Point Military Academy in 1979. Our branch usually made the decisions about where officers were assigned, and they received very little information about balancing work and life, career progression and developing a good business model," Semonite said.
"Great leaders are well-rounded. Don't walk out of a Corps assignment with just the technical side, learn the business piece. Smart business practices are what make the Corps a success," Semonite said. "We want leaders who understand what they are doing. Your manner of performance, leadership experience and personal values will make you a success in the Corps."
Semonite told the students leadership styles make a difference within an organization.
"You have to be a positive leader, not a toxic leader - toxic leaders destroy organizations. A good leader asks the hard questions like, 'how many people take you seriously? How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results?'," Semonite said. "We have to be 'self-policing'. We owe it to the next generation of leaders."
Semonite also gave students some personal advice on balancing family and career.
"You have to be able to balance work and life. You can survive and do very well in the Corps without working 14 hours a day. You must learn to take care of your family while pursuing your career. Most of what I do at the Corps can be done in eight-and-a -half hours each day. Everyone needs some down time," Semonite said.
"You have to be responsible for your own careers and make the most of your time with the Corps. Figure out what you want to do, where you want to go and have fun at the same time. We're out here protecting our country, but we can have fun as well."
Semonite said he wants to revitalize the course for future students.
"I took a similar course as a major in 1988, and it was invaluable for me because it helped me to maneuver through the Corps. This is why I am working with valuable officers like Lt. Col. William Burruss, deputy commander, U.S. Army Engineering and Support Center, Huntsville, and others to help set up the course," Semonite said. "We want to give students a burst of 'Corps' and professional development topics to make sure they understand the Corps. I'm excited to be a part of this."
Conducting the course was a team effort with the ULC, HQ USACE, Huntsville Center, Mobile District, Buffalo District, Kansas City District, and the Engineer Research and Development Center providing instructors.
Burruss volunteered to champion the course. Instructors during the week included Huntsville Center Commander Col. Robert Ruch and Huntsville employees Margaret Simmons, Sharon Butler and Marcus Adams; COL Jeffrey Eckstein, ERDC commander; Sam Zakhem, HQ USACE; David Romano, Buffalo District; Steve Arendale, Mobile District; and Joshua Marx, Kansas City District.
The students said they took in a lot of information during the training.
"This course has been a great opportunity to understand how the Corps conducts business. This is my first assignment with the Corps of Engineers. Although I've had numerous experiences with the engineer regiment and the U.S. Army, I came to the Corps unfamiliar with their processes and operating structure. This course helps me understand how the Corps operates by covering topics such as MILCON projects, civil works, contracting and working with civilians, etc.," said Maj. Doug Armstrong, an operations officer with Huntsville Center's Management Review Office.
"The DOIC class has been an excellent opportunity for me to learn how the Corps' business processes support the Corps' mission and the nation. Taking this course will enable me to be a better engineer leader," Armstrong said.
For more information about the USACE DOIC course, call 256-895-7478.