2015 Joint Logistics Faculty Development Workshop Held at NDU

The Center for Joint & Strategic Logistics (CJSL) recently hosted over 30 faculty members from across the Department of Defense (DoD) joint professional military and graduate education schools at the National Defense University for its annual Joint Logistics Faculty Development Workshop.  The purpose of this event was to continue building a more structured joint logistics professional development community of practice devoted to thinking, writing about, and teaching logistics, and to encourage a shared approach to joint logistics force development.

During the three-day event, the attendees heard perspectives from senior DoD logistics leaders, including the Joint Staff Director for Logistics Marine Corps Lieutenant General Robert Ruark, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Security Cooperation Mr. Tommy Ross, and the DASD for Program Support Mr. Gary Motsek.  This unique forum provided insights on key logistics initiatives such as “Building Partner Capacity” and “Operational Contract Support,” and allowed the assembled educators to discuss strategies for improving joint logistics professional development overall.  “This workshop was a fantastic opportunity for these education experts to come in, hear about critical issues from the leaders who are in the middle of them, and collaborate with their colleagues in the various schools to better integrate joint logistics education initiatives throughout the Joint Force,” said retired Air Force Lieutenant General Chris Kelly, the Director of the CJSL.  While part of the objective was to arm the attendees with current information to enhance the curricula in their respective schools, Kelly also pointed out that “…perhaps more importantly, this workshop was designed to let us hear from you, the educators out there, so we can help you do your very important jobs more effectively.”

Other highlights of the workshop included an in-depth session on improved critical thinking techniques, and employing a more effective logistics research process across the joint logistics enterprise.  Logistics staff representatives from the Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy as well as Defense Logistics Agency and United States Transportation Command were also in attendance.  The group leveraged their presence to receive updates on the implementation of the Joint Logistics Learning Framework and the development of supporting competency areas.

According to Kelly, the CJSL will build on the momentum gained during this year’s session and make next year’s workshop even more useful, and continue improving the development of more professional logisticians proficient in applying logistics support across the national security enterprise.

For more information, please visit http://cjsl.ndu.edu.