MCALESTER, Okla. - Defense Ammunition Center strives to provide additional opportunities for ammunition interns to help progress their careers.

The Oklahoma State Regents approved a new associate degree at Eastern Oklahoma State College in Ammunition Management and Safety. This program represents a partnership between EOSC and DAC to provide college degree opportunities to DAC interns.

"Many of our DAC interns enter the training program without college degrees. This partnership affords them the opportunity to increase their academic knowledge at the same time they are receiving highly specialized career training. That's a powerful combination for leveraging their civilian career opportunities," said Dr. Upton Shimp, chief of Knowledge Management for the DAC training directorate.

The special degree program for interns in the Ammunition Management and Quality
Assurance Specialist (Ammunition Surveillance) career programs will be offered for the first time during the spring 2009 semester. To complete the degree program, students must complete 31 hours of general education from EOSC and 30 hours of major field courses from DAC. After completion of the intern training program, students are required to complete a one-year on-the-job training.

"Department of the Army interns entering the DAC training programs are the future leaders of two Army ammunition career programs. The collaboration of EOSC toward their development is greatly appreciated," said Mr. Gary Carney, DAC director.