WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- A new leadership development program called GS-15 LD provides a total force development vision for Air Force civilians in the GS-15 grade, preparing them for senior roles in the Department of Defense.
"We're working hard to prepare these people to successfully lead at the Senior Executive Service level," said James Neighbors, director of Air Force Senior Executive Management.
"This program is designed to help people understand and execute the evolving Air Force mission as we move forward," Mr. Neighbors said.
A learning development program geared toward GS-15s started in 2003, but was updated in 2004 to the current GS-15 LD program. The voluntary program is based on the following five foundational principles:
-- Integrate other senior leader deliberate development efforts
-- Incorporate broader force development initiatives
-- Advancement career field management initiatives
-- Create broad avenues to develop a cadre of GS-15s with multiple perspectives
-- Enhance career management and development services for those who are committed to this vision
Mr. Neighbors said there are certain expectations a GS-15 will need to assume when volunteering for this program.
"One of the expectations is that you are willing to become an Air Force corporate asset, which means you will serve when and where the Air Force needs you and we will consider personal needs as much as possible," he said. "Also, you can expect your career to be managed and expect a lot of structured assistance, much like general officers, SES's, and colonels."
The philosophy behind the push for serving when and where needed and becoming a corporate asset is now gaining momentum from the Office of the Secretary of Defense on down as one of the mechanisms used to create a national security enterprise, Mr. Neighbors said.
"Not only do we need to be able to move people within our service, but also move people within different services and government agencies, in order to give them the enterprise-wide perspective necessary to perform effectively as executives in the national defense arena," he said.
One success story from the GS-15 LD program is William Brundage, who was recently selected for an SES position as the senior Department of Homeland Security advisor to the commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command. He credits the program in helping him get this new position.
"This program gave me the chance to learn about the requirements for further advancement into senior decision-making levels in the government," Mr. Brundage said. "Before I started the program, I thought I knew what the requirements were, but I learned quickly about all of the obligations, responsibilities and challenges senior executives face."
"By being in the program and interacting with current senior executives and people who work with those executives, it made me a lot more self aware," he said. "Those opportunities gave me a chance to really consider if I wanted to take this step and gave me the tools to make the step."
He said the training and the assistance of the GS-15 LD staff were also beneficial to him.
"There was a very large amount of training I received through schools and programs about the challenges senior executives face and the decisions they are required to make," Mr. Brundage said.
"The staff provided me with encouragement and direction in how to approach this training program," he said. "They were very helpful in explaining the opportunities available to me and the obligations and responsibilities you occur when you move into the senior levels. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone who is considering moving into higher levels of government."
Mr. Neighbors said last year 134 people submitted packages to take one of the GS-15 developmental positions in the program. There are currently 122 positions available and program officials are working to open up as many of the positions to the GS-15 LD Program participants as possible.
"Starting next year, these GS-15 LD positions will be three-year positions and then the person will move on to the next development experience or successfully compete for an SES position," he said.
Any Air Force civilian in a position with permanent grade of GS-15 or GS-15 equivalent is eligible to apply for the program, providing they have not declined a GS-15 LD position within the last two years.
The positions offered under the GS-15 LD program must also meet certain criteria:
-- Strategically significant to the success of the Air Force mission
-- Require premier leadership skills and enduring competencies from Air Force Doctrine Document 1-1
-- Provide critical experience for advancement to a greater leadership responsibility, and require reassignment of a seasoned GS-15
-- Positions usually have management responsibility at the second level of supervision or above
"Positions that meet this criteria are usually the leader of a line or mission-directed organization comparable to a wing or group designated unit or a major functional or staff support activity at the headquarters, major command or numbered Air Force level," Mr. Neighbors said.