**Update to courses and requirements**
The W2 skill identifier (SI) recently underwent a review for currency and availability. Due to changes
and/or availability of previous courses, new courses have been evaluated and accepted for substitution
and implementation, see memorandum recommending changes to DA PAM 611-21 for a military
occupational classification and structure (MOCS) revision for the W2 SI.
W2 Training/Certification
End state of W2 training/certification is to train and certify 12A Engineer Officers on the ability to leverage Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geospatial Information & Systems (GI&S), and geospatial analytical applications to solve an operational problem, determine appropriate organization and capability to fulfill a geospatial requirement, task organic capabilities to fulfill geospatial requirements, and develop production requirements for the National System for Geospatial Intelligence (NSG). How does a 12A get to this end state? Download and read the W2 SI Smartbook to initiate your journey as a Geospatial Leader.
OPTIONS FOR ATTAINING W2
Option 1: Education
(1) Possess an undergraduate or higher from an accredited college or university in GIS, Remote Sensing, Cartography, Photogrammetry, or Geography with a track in GIS or complete all following listed below.
(2) Have a minimum of 12 credit hours from an accredited college or university in any Geospatial related field.
(3) Successfully complete Defense Acquisition University (DAU); Fundamentals of GIS (27hrs).
(4) Successfully complete ESRI Academy; Getting Started with Spatial Analysis (1hrs).
(5) Successfully complete NGC GEO 1008; GEOINT Basics WBT (6hrs).
(6) Acquire NGA GEOINT Professional Certification (GPC) – Fundamentals (Level 1).
Option 2: Training (must complete each of items listed below)
(1) Successfully complete NGC GEOD 2102-1; Fundamentals of Grids Datums and Projections (5hrs).
(2) Successfully complete Defense Acquisition University (DAU); Fundamentals of GIS (27hrs).
(3) Successfully complete DAU; GIS Data Formats, Design, and Quality (27hrs).
(4) Successfully complete ESRI Academy; ArcGIS Online Basics (2hrs).
(5) Successfully complete ESRI Academy; Creating an ArcGIS Story Maps Briefing (3hrs).
(6) Successfully complete ESRI Academy; Getting Started with Spatial Analysis (1hrs).
(7) Successfully complete NGC GEO 1008; GEOINT Basics WBT (6hrs).
(8) Acquire NGA GEOINT Professional Certification (GPC) Fundamentals (Level 1).
Option 3: On the Job Training, Acquire NGA GEOINT Professional Certification (GPC) – Fundamentals (level 1) and one of the following three
(1) Successfully complete 12 months as a Geospatial Development Program Officer.
(2) Successfully complete the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Joint Officer Geospatial Program (Engineer).
(3) Successfully complete 12 months as a Geospatial Planning Cell Officer in Charge.