This article was published in Defense AT&L: January-February 2014 magazine by Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
The message below is from the HON Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics) about this recent.
Attached is my latest article published in AT&L magazine (Jan-Feb 2014 edition). Please take time to read it when you have the opportunity (article attached). Our people are our greatest asset and we should always recognize and remember that.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
My first inclination for this issue's article was to discuss the newly released DoDI 5000.02. We recently implemented this new acquisition policy document as interim guidance. I provided a cover letter explaining why I had done a new version and outlined some of the features of this edition. I do recommend that you look at both the cover letter and the new document, but on reflection I decided to write about something else for this issue. An enormous amount of time and energy goes into designing our processes and implementing them, but at the end of the day it isn't those processes or policy documents like 5000.02 that really drive our results. What really matters in defense acquisition is our people and their professionalism and leadership-so I thought I would start the new year by writing about that.
This past year we've gone through a lot, and all of our acquisition professionals have been asked to put up with more than any workforce should have to endure. We've had continuing budget turmoil and uncertainty, furloughs, continuing resolutions, late-breaking sequestration, and most recently a government shutdown. We're also living under pay freezes and the prospect of further budget reductions and staff reductions. I want to thank the whole workforce for the way you have all coped with these challenges. While other senior leaders and I have been asking you to improve our productivity and achieve ever greater results for our warfighters and the taxpayer, you've also had to work in very challenging circumstances. You've come through, and it has inspired me and your other senior leaders to see the way you've dealt with all these challenges in stride. Thank you. Thank you personally, but also on behalf of the Secretary and all the senior leaders in the Department. Thank you also for our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who benefit from your great work as they put themselves at risk for our country.
