Bridging the Gap Between Warfighters and Industry

<p>This study analyzes the professional and personal development of acquisition officers and their ability to cope with a rapidly changing environment. The paper compares Carl von Clausewitz's elements of genius to the formal and informal learning processes in the Air Force. In the review of formal learning the major professional military education programs such as Squadron Officers School Air Command and Staff College and Air War College are reviewed. Additionally the acquisition professional development program is assessed for its contribution to Clausewitzian genius. Experience self-directed study and mentoring fall under the rubric of informal learning. The Air Force counseling program and the non-commissioned officer mentoring culture is evaluated. Recent literature on the personal and professional development of employees is also reviewed. Finally individuals from the warfighter developer and industry communities are interviewed for their thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the acquisition officer.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>