WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — It’s a little known program that packs a lot of punch as the premier career broadening program for logistics officers working to keep Air Force platforms ready and lethal for the enterprise fight.
The Logistics Career Broadening Program offers company grade logistics officers the opportunity gain leadership skills and experience in depot, supply, sustainment and development missions through a two-year rotation at an air or defense logistics center. Officers are embedded within the organizations where they have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of depot processes while also looking for ways to improve and shape the future logistics processes they may someday lead.
“This is a highly competitive program that provides officers a 360 degree perspective on service-wide logistics processes and issues. The individuals selected for these assignments are those we are looking at to become future materiel leaders in the logistics enterprise,” said Maj. Gen. Allan Day, director, AFMC Logistics, Civil Engineering, Force Protection and Nuclear Integration Directorate. “The officers work side-by-side with the military and civilian professionals in the organizations that keep our operational units and platforms lethal. The learning is invaluable.”
Forty-three officers are currently serving in the program, spread across nine locations, including AFMC air logistics complexes at Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Robins Air Force Base, Georgia; and Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. In addition to learning the day-to-day operations at the logistics hubs, the officers can earn professional certification in life cycle logistics.
“These skills benefit them throughout their careers, whether at a depot or supporting a flight line or missile field,” said Maj. Brandon Grone, deputy chief, Munitions and Missiles Branch, AFMC Logistics, Civil Engineering, Force Protection and Nuclear Integration Directorate. “Officers are provided the time to learn and collaborate with others in the field. They can use the training directly in their current rotation and follow-on assignments.”
Participants also have opportunities to work on high-level Air Force projects that help them grow professionally as both logisticians and leaders. Past projects have included the development of a new school for civilian hires and work as action officers for the Air Force’s “Benchmarking with Industry” Project.
“The program has completely transformed my understanding of the acquisition and sustainment enterprise, which I now better understand is a COG (center of gravity) for readiness and winning our wars,” said Capt. Ryan M. VanArtsdalen, a current career broadening officer at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, Hill Air Force Base. “The depot is where many organizations come together as an enterprise team. Understanding how each organization works, communicates, partners and relies on each other has strengthened my ability to manage and lead organizations horizontally and vertically.”
Officers in logistics career fields to include Aircraft Maintenance, Munitions and Missile Maintenance and Logistics Readiness are eligible to apply for the program during the application cycle, which typically opens in early spring. The program is also open to the Scientific Utilization Field, Developmental Engineers, Acquisition Managers, Contracting and Financial Management officers. To be eligible for the program, officers must have four to seven years of commissioned service as of the application close date.
“LCBP has been the most informative, educational and influential assignment in my career and has completely changed the way I think and lead in the logistics profession,” said VanArtsdalen. “I highly encourage anyone who enjoys solving difficult problems and learning about people, processes and procedures—someone who wants to think strategically about DoD and Air Force issues– to apply. You will use what you learn the rest of your professional career.”
