software, and we are highly dependent upon and teamed with their expertise. As the Air Force CIO, our role in IT procurement is to ensure we have the right requirements identified to purchase the right IT that fits with our Air Force enterprise and meets our strategic Air Force objectives. Working hand-in-hand with SAF/AQ, we are working to ensure the proper governance is in place for IT procurement vehicles such as NETCENTS. Regarding NETCENTS, we are continuing to grow this service and provide the products and services we need to fulfill our IT strategic goals. My vision for NETCENTS and its follow-on NETCENTS 2 is to provide the Air Force community at large with competitive, cost-effective vehicles that meet local base contracting goals while at the same time adhering to our Air Force enterprise strategic objectives. We need to be more responsive to the needs of our users, which means acquiring and delivering capability in a short amount of time. Users can’t wait 18 months for a system or product to be delivered—they need it now. Our vision for NETCENTS is to provide that rapid acquisition capability. Q: What messages would you most emphasize to industry in its partnerships with the Air Force? A: The first message is that we, the U.S. Air Force, are dependent on a strong partnership. The solutions to our problems are provided by a vibrant U.S. industry, both large and small. As the resourcing becomes more difficult, big leverage items are the ones we are looking for. The return on investment will be closely scrutinized for high percentage returns. We need products that can be quickly deployed to enhance current ops and are netcentric from day one. The second message is a big “thank you” for the help our industry partners give us every day! The third message is that we depend on our industry partners to help us with the innovation that they are so wonderful at fostering—and bringing that innovation to us. The final message is to invite them to offer us their advice on what we can do to make our relationship better for both. The environment is at the “perfect storm” point to change processes and rules that are obstructive to both of us. Q: What can the Air Force do to strengthen training and development of its IT professionals? A: The increased focus on the cyberdomain is forcing us to take a hard look at how we structure our entire C&I career field [both civilian and military], and we will be making some major decisions in the near future. We must offer education and tailored training to develop our IT professionals throughout their careers, and ensure that training is producing the professionals needed to support our COCOMs. We must also develop a deliberate funding strategy based on training requirements. The fielding of IT systems is always accompanied by a corresponding training requirement, which if unfunded, jeopardizes the very effectiveness of the capability the new technology delivers. Some current initiatives include transforming our basic skills training courses. Graduates of these courses will receive the necessary fundamentals and be primed for follow-on specialized training. Organizationally, this new training paradigm www.MIT-kmi.com
requires the establishment of formal training units that focus on teaching the skills needed to deliver the capability to establish, operate, defend, exploit, and attack in, through, and from the cyberdomain. One of the challenges we have to confront is that the same highly specialized skill sets needed within the Air Force are also highly desired within industry. Since we are in fierce competition for these skills, we must maintain a focus on personnel retention measures. At the same time, we also need to recognize that the leading edge in this arena can often be found outside the Air Force within other services, industry, and/or academia. Expanding our existing partnerships can only benefit our people. Identifying and partnering with IT centers of excellence enables knowledge transfer and better prepares our professionals to meet and conquer the unique challenges presented by the cyberdomain. Q: Is there anything else you would like to add? A: This is an exciting time to be in our Air Force and in the IT/ cyberbusiness. I am honored to be placed in a position of responsibility where I may effect positive change to assist our forces engaged in combat today. We are also engaged in a cultural change as the cyberdomain takes the stage with air and space— and that will be historic. Everything we do will be focused on our Air Force mission: Fly, fight and win ... in air, space and cyberspace! ✯
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