Professional Development

The Fort Campbell Professional Development program is designed to provide a planned, systematic and coordinated program of education and experiences which support organizational goals and missions. Competitive Professional Development encompasses functionally tailored developmental opportunities which may occur in academic environments, business/industrial settings or in other strategically planned career enhancing developmental assignments that have been identified in an Army Civilian Training, Education and Development.

Our programs are based on improving the competencies of our Civilian workforce. A competency is an observable, measurable pattern of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics that individuals need in order to successfully perform their work. Click here for competency definitions.

Local Programs

Click each link to learn more.

DOD/DA Programs

The Army Congressional Fellowship Program ✪ is an 18-month program for Army Civilians, which includes pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Legislative Affairs at George Washington University, and service on the staff of a Member of Congress. Army civilian personnel in GS-11 through 14 must fulfill specific requirements in order to be eligible for the program. For application information, click on the title, and click TM Programs, Fellowship Information. HQ DA Suspense is usually in April.

The Leadership for a Democratic Society (LDS) ✪ program offers an unmatched learning experience to prepare senior-level executives for the complex challenges of leadership. Transformational leadership is one of the most significant issues influencing performance and effectiveness. Leaders are being asked to reimagine operations, function with fewer resources and find new ways to tackle complex challenges. The nomination suspense date is typically in May.

Harvard Senior Executive Fellows ✪ is the preeminent professional development program for public sector executives who want to sharpen their leadership and managerial skills. It's designed for GS-14/GS-15 federal employees and their corporate sector, international and military counterparts. The nomination suspense date is typically in May.

The Senior Manager Course in National Security is a 2-week program designed to provide senior DOD leaders and managers an understanding of the factors and forces that shape national security strategy and policy. The course objective is to improve the management and leadership skills necessary to successfully influence the various processes within DOD. It also provides an opportunity to systematically examine the forces that influence U.S. defense decision making: the inter-agency process, the wider policy community, and threats in the international arena. The nomination suspense date is typically in May.

SLDC is a 1-week Army leader development course designed to enhance the education of select senior Army O–6s, Chief Warrant Officer 5, Command/Sergeants Major, and Army Civilians (GS–15) who are either currently assigned to, or projected for assignment to, key positions as advisors and staff officers for general officers and senior civilian leaders. The Senior Leader Seminar course offers an experience that is both broadening and educational, focused on increasing their preparation for service at the national level.

Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLDP) GS-14/15 or equivalent
Army Senior Civilian Fellowship (ASCF) GS-14/15 or equivalent
Enterprise Placement Program (EPP) SES Detail GS-15 or equivalent (This program is under review and not accepting applications)
SETM-Temporary Duty GS-14/15 or equivalent
Senior Service College (SSC) Resident or Distance Education GS-14/15
Command and General Staff Officer College (CGSOC) GS-13 (GS-12 by exception)
Executive Leader Development Program (ELDP) DoD Level Program GS-12/13
Naval War College Intermediate Level Course GS-13 or equivalent
Enterprise Talent Management-Temporary Duty GS-13 or equivalent
Leadership Shadowing Experience GS-13 or equivalent
The nomination suspense date is typically in May.

Click here for SETM/ETM requirements. Applications are available here ✪.

The IMCOM Emerging Enterprise Leader (EEL) program will provide formal leadership development opportunities to mid-grade GS-11 and GS-12 (and equivalent) IMCOM employees who have been developed locally and demonstrate a potential and desire to lead. The nomination suspense date is typically in July.

DCELP is the premier Department of Defense (DOD) leader development program for civilians in the grades of GS-7 through GS-12 (or equivalent) in the DOD and other Federal Agencies. The program consists of a series of 4 one-week in-resident sessions, assessment tools, knowledge transfer activities, participant writing and briefing projects, and individual coaching. The program concentrates on the five terminal learning objectives of Know Self, Express Self, Build Teams, Manage Organizations and Understand the DOD. DCELP usually offers two separate cohorts. The first cohort usually includes 144 participants from the Human Resources, Financial Management, and Acquisition communities. The second cohort usually includes 144 participants from all occupations series and interagency partners.

The Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) ✪ provides participants with an extensive exposure to the roles and missions of the entire Department of Defense (DOD). It is open to DOD civilians at the GS-12 through GS-14 (or equivalent) level, with limited participation from military O-3 through O-4 levels and Federal Agencies. Participants of ELDP graduate from the program with an increased understanding and appreciation for today’s warfighters. The program was established in 1985 with the approval of the Secretary of Defense and has continued over the years to train the Department’s future leaders to recognize and respond to the issues facing DOD. During the course of the ten months of training, participants will travel to a variety of locations both in the United States and overseas, to train with the warfighter. Through intense, hands-on field experience, participants experience first-hand the many challenges that our Components face in carrying out the mission of the Department. ELDP is not for everyone. It is both mentally and physically challenging. It is designed for high potential individuals who have the desire to progress into senior leadership roles in the Department.

The Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLDP)✪ is the premier civilian leader development program for Department of Defense civilians at the GS-14 through GS-15 (or equivalent) level. DSLDP institutes a competency-based approach to the deliberate development of senior civilian leaders with the enterprise-wide perspective needed to lead organizations and programs, and achieve results in the joint, interagency, and multi-national environments.

The White House Leadership Development Program✪, sponsored by Executive Office of the President and supported by the President's Management Council and the Performance Improvement Council, will provide a unique growth opportunity focused on developing high potential career GS-15s and equivalents poised to enter the next generation of career senior executives. Participants will work on the Federal government's high impact challenges that require the coordination of multiple federal agencies to succeed.

✪ Denotes an external link
⚠ Denotes a CAC enabled link

Professional Development

Local Programs

DOD/DA Programs

Army Congressional Fellows Program

Leadership for a Democratic Society (LDS) GS-15 or equivalent

Harvard Senior Executive Fellows (SEF) GS14/15 or equivalent

Senior Manager Course (SMC) in national Security Leadership GS14/15 or equivalent

Senior Leader Seminar (SLS): Senior Leader Development Course GS-15 or equivalent

Senior Enterprise Talent Management (SETM)

IMCOM Emerging Enterprise Leader (EEL) Program GS11/12

Department of Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program GS07/12

Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) GS12/14

Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLP) GS14/15

White House Leadership Development Program (WHLDP) GS-15