Announcement of New Acquisition Officer Primary MOS

1. THE PURPOSE OF THIS MARADMIN IS TO ANNOUNCE
CMC'S DECISION TO CREATE AN ACQUISITION OFFICER PRIMARY MILITARY
OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY (MOS) OF 9959 AND ESTABLISH SELECT
ACQUISITION POSITIONS AS COMMAND EQUIVALENTS. THIS DECISION WILL
ALLOW OFFICERS IN THE GRADES OF MAJOR THROUGH COLONEL WITH PREVIOUS
ACQUISITION EXPERIENCE TO REQUEST CONSIDERATION FOR A LATERAL MOVE
TO THE ACQUISITION PRIMARY MOS VIA AN ANNUAL COMPETITIVE BOARD. 
ADDITIONALLY, OFFICERS WITH THE 9959, ACQUISITION OFFICER PRIMARY
MOS, WILL BE SCREENED ANNUALLY FOR SELECT ACQUISITION COMMAND
EQUIVALENTS AS PART OF THE COMMAND SCREENING PROGRAM. THE FIRST
ACQUISITION PRIMARY MOS SELECTION BOARD AND COMMAND EQUIVALENT
SLATING BOARDS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN OCTOBER 2005.
2. ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
(DOD)ARE A KEY ELEMENT IN THE SYSTEMS ACQUISITION PROCESS. IN BROAD
TERMS, THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR TAKING A NEW VALIDATED REQUIREMENT
FROM CONCEPT EXPLORATION TO THE DEPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINMENT OF AN
OPERATIONAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS CAN BE
ASSIGNED IN ONE OF DOD'S 14 ACQUISITION CAREER PATHS WITH
RESPONSIBILITIES THAT INCLUDE MANAGING A PROGRAM WITHIN BUDGET AND
SCHEDULE CONSTRAINTS, ENSURING THAT THE END PRODUCT MEETS DESIRED
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA, AND ENSURING THAT THE SYSTEM TO BE FIELDED IS
LOGISTICALLY SUPPORTABLE. 
3. THE CURRENT OFFICER CAREER PATH AND PROMOTION FLOW POINTS MAKE
IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO BOTH MAINTAIN PRIMARY MOS CREDIBILITY
AND GAIN REQUISITE ACQUISITION PROFICIENCY. ACQUISITION OFFICER
CERTIFICATIONS ARE STATUTORY AND REQUIRE SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND
EDUCATION, IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE AND EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN
ACQUISITION POSITIONS. IN THE PAST, MARINE OFFICERS HAVE NOT BEEN
ASSIGNED TO CRITICAL ACQUISITION BILLETS BECAUSE THEIR EXPERIENCE
AND QUALIFICATIONS WERE NOT COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER DOD ACQUISITION
PROFESSIONALS. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE 9959 PRIMARY ACQUISITION MOS
SELECTION PROCESS IS TO DEVELOP A POPULATION OF MARINE ACQUISITION
PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS WHO MEET STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS AND ARE HIGHLY
COMPETITIVE FOR SELECTION TO PROGRAM MANAGEMENT POSITIONS OF MAJOR
DEFENSE ACQUISITION PROGRAMS FOR WHICH THE MARINE CORPS HAS A UNIQUE
OR VESTED INTEREST.
4. THE 9959 ACQUISITION OFFICER PRIMARY MOS WILL ALLOW VOLUNTEER
FIELD GRADE OFFICERS THAT HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY A COMPETITIVE,
ANNUAL BOARD TO REMAIN IN ACQUISITION BILLETS AND GAIN REQUIRED
EXPERIENCE FOR SENIOR ACQUISITION POSITIONS. INTRODUCING THIS
LATERAL MOVE IN THE FIELD GRADE RANKS BRINGS MAGTF EXPERIENCE TO THE
ACQUISITION COMMUNITY WHILE STILL ENABLING A RELATIVELY EARLY
IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL HIGH LEVEL PROGRAM MANAGERS. OFFICERS
THAT SUBMIT REQUESTS FOR LATERAL MOVE WILL BE SCREENED AND SELECTED,
THUS CONTROLLING QUALITY AND THE APPROPRIATE MOS MIX WITHIN THE
ACQUISITION POPULATION. OFFICERS WITH THE PRIMARY MOS OF 9959 WILL
ONLY BE ASSIGNED TO ACQUISITION BILLETS, UNLESS INVENTORY EXCEEDS
REQUIREMENTS.
5. CERTAIN IDENTIFIED ACQUISITION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT BILLETS WILL
BE INDIVIDUALLY COMPETED FOR AND SLATED ON THE COMMAND SCREENING
PROGRAM PHASE II. THIS BOARD IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO CONVENE
ANNUALLY STARTING IN OCTOBER 2005 WITH BOARD MEMBERSHIP COMPRISED OF
ACQUISITION AND MANPOWER PROFESSIONALS. A COMPETITIVE SELECTION
PROCESS WILL ENSURE THAT THE MARINE CORPS' BEST AND FULLY QUALIFIED
OFFICERS SUPERVISE THE DEVELOPMENT AND FIELDING OF SYSTEMS.
6. CMC DESIGNATED THE DIRECTOR, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT DIVISION
AS OVERSIGHT AND COORDINATION AUTHORITY FOR ACQUISITION OFFICER
ASSIGNMENTS. HE WILL HIRE A PERMANENT ASSIGNMENT MANAGER OF PRIMARY
ACQUISITION MOS OFFICERS. THE ACQUISITION ASSIGNMENT MANAGER WILL
COORDINATE CLOSELY WITH THE ACQUISITION CO-OCCUPATIONAL FIELD
SPONSORS FOR ACQUISITION (CHIEF OF STAFF, MARINE CORPS SYSTEMS
COMMAND AND COMMANDING OFFICER, MARINE AVIATION DETACHMENT, PATUXENT
RIVER) AND TOTAL FORCE STRUCTURE DIVISION FOR BILLET REQUIREMENTS 
AND ASSIGNMENTS. 
7. THE CO-OCCFIELD SPONSORS IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER HQMC AGENCIES
HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR MONTHS ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE NEW PRIMARY
ACQUISITION MOS WORKFORCE. ALTHOUGH THE CURRENT PROPOSAL MADE NO
STRUCTURE CHANGES, ACQUISITION BILLETS WERE APPROPRIATELY
REDESIGNATED TO SUPPORT CMC'S DECISION. THERE WILL BE
APPROXIMATELY 520 ACQUISITION BILLETS, OF WHICH, 390 ARE 9957 & 9958
ENTRY AND MID-LEVEL ACQUISITION POSITIONS. THESE BILLETS WILL
FACILITATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OFFICERS TO GAIN THE EXPERIENCE NEEDED
TO BECOME COMPETITIVE MEMBERS OF THE ACQUISITION PROFESSIONAL
COMMUNITY. THE REMAINING 130 SENIOR LEVEL ACQUISITION BILLETS WILL
BE DESIGNATED AS A 9959 PRIMARY ACQUISITION MOS. A SMALL PORTION OF
THESE BILLETS WILL BE SCREENED AND SLATED BY THE COMMAND SCREENING
PROGRAM PHASE II, WITH THE REMAINDER ASSIGNED BY THE PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT DIVISION ACQUISITION PROGRAM MANAGER WITH INPUT FROM THE
CO-OCCFIELD SPONSORS. THE PRIMARY MOS MONITORS WILL CONTINUE TO
ASSIGN OFFICERS TO ENTRY AND MID-LEVEL ACQUISITION BILLETS, WITH
ASSIGNMENTS COORDINATED AND TRACKED BY THE ACQUISITIONS PROGRAM
MANAGEMENT OFFICE, CO-OCCFIELD SPONSORS AND GAINING COMMANDS.
8. THE FIRST ACQUISITION PRIMARY MOS SELECTION AND COMMAND
SCREENING BOARD WILL CONVENE IN OCTOBER 2005 FOR ASSIGNMENTS IN
2006. SEVERAL MILESTONES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS BOARD ARE LISTED
BELOW:
 SEP 04 - INTRODUCE ACQUISITION ELECTIVE IN RESIDENT USMC ILS
 JAN 05 - SOLICIT ACQUISITION PRIMARY MOS (9959) VOLUNTEERS VIA 
 MARADMIN 
 FEB 05 - 9959 BILLETS ADDED TO TROOP LIST FOR STAFFING IN 2006
 APR 05 - 9959 MOS PUBLISHED IN MOS MANUAL 
 JUN 05 - ACQUISITION PMOS PACKAGES DUE TO CMC (MMOA)
 JUL 05 - ACQUISITION PMOS PACKAGES REVIEWED BY ACQ CO-OCCFIELD
 SPONSORS 
 AUG 05 - ANNOUNCE ACQ COMMAND EQUIVALENCY SCREENING BOARD 
 OCT 05 - ACQUISITION PMOS OFFICIALLY EFFECTIVE
 - ACQUISITION PMOS SELECTION BOARD 
 - ACQUISITION COMMAND EQUIVALENCY SCREENING BOARD
 INCLUDING SCREENING OF NOMINEES FOR NAVAIR PANEL
9. ALTHOUGH SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND COORDINATING
INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE FORTHCOMING IN A FUTURE APPLICANT SOLICITATION
MARADMIN, THE FOLLOWING IS PROVIDED AS INSIGHT FOR THOSE
FIELD GRADE OFFICERS WITH ACQUISITION EXPERIENCE THAT MAY REQUEST A 
VOLUNTARY LATERAL MOVE TO A PRIMARY ACQUISITION MOS OF 9959: 
 - POSSESS OR QUALIFY FOR 9958 AMOS. 9958 EXPERIENCE
 REQUIREMENTS MAY BE WAIVED IF THE APPLICANT WILL BE 
 QUALIFIED DURING CURRENT TOUR ASSIGNMENT
 - MUST BE AN UNRESTRICTED OFFICER 
 - NOT PREVIOUSLY PASSED FOR NEXT RANK OR SELECTION CONTINGENT 
 ON CURRENT YEAR'S PROMOTION RESULTS
 - ILS COMPLETE OR SELECTION CONTINGENT ON COMPLETING
 NONRESIDENT ILS
 - APPLICANTS WILL BE SCREENED AND BOARD SELECTED
 - SELECTED OFFICERS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR NON-ACQUISITION
 COMMAND SCREENING
 - SELECTED OFFICERS WILL REMAIN ELIGIBLE FOR TLS (ICAF)
AGAIN, THE AFOREMENTIONED ITEMS WILL NOT BE OFFICIALLY DETERMINED
UNTIL THE RELEASE OF THE APPLICANT SOLICITATION MARADMIN.
10. THE REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN A 9958 AMOS (LISTED IN PARA 9 AS A
PREREQUISITE FOR 9959 PMOS ELIGIBILITY) HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ARE AS
FOLLOWS:
 - MUST BE A MAJOR OR ABOVE
 - MUST HAVE A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE FROM AN ACCREDITED
 EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
 - MUST HAVE AT LEAST 24 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS (OR ACADEMIC 
 EQUIVALENT) OF STUDY IN BUSINESS DISCIPLINES (SEE MOS MANUAL
 OR DEFENSE ACQUISITION UNIVERSITY (DAU) CATALOG FOR 
 SPECIFICS)
 - MUST POSSESS A SECRET SECURITY CLEARANCE
 - MUST BE CERTIFIED TO LEVEL II OF THEIR PRIMARY ACQUISITION
 CAREER FIELD
 - MUST HAVE AT LEAST FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN DESIGNATED
 ACQUISITION POSITIONS. UP TO 12 MONTHS CAN BE CREDITED FOR
 TIME SPENT PURSUING A PROGRAM OF ACADEMIC TRAINING OR 
 EDUCATION IN ACQUISITION (E.G. A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE IN 
 BUSINESS MANAGEMENT EQUATES TO ONE YEAR EXPERIENCE).
 - MUST APPLY TO MARCORSYSCOM FOR CONSIDERATION. THE
 REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN THE 9957, ENTRY LEVEL ACQUISITION 
 AMOS WILL ALSO CHANGE SLIGHTLY. IN ADDITION, THE 9960 AMOS
 WILL BE USED TO IDENTIFY RESTRICTED OFFICERS WITH 
 ACQUISITION EXPERIENCE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT NO MARINE
 THAT ALREADY POSSESSES AN AFOREMENTIONED MOS WILL HAVE IT
 REMOVED BASED ON NEW REQUIREMENTS. ACQUISITION AMOS 9957, 
 9958 AND 9960 ARE CERTIFIED BY MARCORSYSCOM AND
 FORWARDED TO CMC (MMOA) FOR UNIT DIARY ENTRY AFTER APPROVAL. 
 MARCORSYSCOM CONTACT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON CMC (MMOA)
 ACQUISITIONS WEBSITE, THROUGH ANY USMC WEBSITE. FIRST, 
 SELECT CAREER, MARINES, OFFICER ASSIGNMENTS, THEN SELECT THE
 GRADUATE EDUCATION AND ACQUISITION LINK.
11. OFFICERS SHOULD NOTIFY THEIR PRIMARY MOS MONITOR IF THEY ARE
INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THIS LATERAL MOVE AND ENSURE THEIR 
ACQUISITION CERTIFICATIONS ARE CURRENT WITH MARCORSYSCOM. UPDATES
AND AMPLIFYING INFORMATION WILL BE POSTED TO THE ABOVE MENTIONED
WEBSITE WHEN AVAILABLE.
12. THIS MARADMIN IS NOT APPLICABLE TO THE MARINE CORPS RESERVE.