DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HONORS FIRST GRADUATES OF THE DEFENSE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The inaugural graduating class of the Defense Leadership and Management Program was honored yesterday in a ceremony hosted by Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Bernard Rostker in the Hall of Heroes at the Pentagon. Deputy Secretary of Defense Rudy de Leon and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy Diane Disney presented the graduation certificates. Disney also read a congratulatory letter from President Bill Clinton.

The graduates were Robert L. Buhrkuhl, Department of the Air Force; Delia E. Donatelli, Department of the Air Force; Theresa A. Everett, National Security Agency; Donald D. Gregory, Department of the Air Force; Steven P. Manning, Department of the Air Force; David J. Russo, Department of the Army; David E. Servinsky, National Security Agency; and David K. Sloan, Defense Information Systems Agency.

Implementing recommendations of the Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces, DLAMP is the first systematic program of "joint" civilian leader training, education, and development within and across the Department of Defense. It provides the framework for developing civilians with a DoD-wide capability for key leadership positions. In addition, DLAMP fosters an environment that nurtures a shared understanding and sense of mission among civilian and military personnel. The first participants were admitted in December 1997.

Today there are currently more than 1,100 DLAMP participants throughout the Department of Defense. An additional 350 participants will join the program as the Class of 2001 in January. All candidates for acceptance into DLAMP must have reached at least the GS-13 level. Participants are selected competitively and then must demonstrate progress toward completing the program each year. While there is no specific time limit, participants will generally require six to ten years to complete all the requirements, depending upon their individual situations. For futher information on DLAMP requirements, please visit http://www.cpms.osd.mil/dlamp .