Functional area description. Manages the activities of the Combat and Materiel Developer organizations involved in the conception, research, development and acquisition of materiel systems for the Army, from requirements formulation through the disposal of obsolete systems. Participates in all aspects of systems acquisition from the review of the Mission Area Analysis, Battlefield Development Plan, modernization plans, and Army Modernization Memorandum, resulting in a materiel solution, through all Life Cycle Systems Management Model phases.

Functional area qualification. DA Pam 600-3 lists qualifications for entry and professional development in this functional area.

Research and Development (51A).

Description of duties. Serves as manager or project officer in organizations and activities involved in the research of new technologies and development of new materiel. Manages the research and development of materiel during the initial phases of the acquisi­tion life cycle. Evaluates competing technological approaches to include determining foreign state-of-the-art system technologies and programs which may affect present or projected Army systems re­quirements; coordinates planning and supervisory activities relative to the research and development aspects of Foreign Area programs. Ensures proper interface between the system design and support program, and monitors system development to ensure the system design and support characteristics satisfy operational requirements at the lowest life cycle cost. Develops technical specifications for sys­tems and services to meet Army mission requirements. Supervises the formulation, justification and execution of the research, develop­ment, test and evaluation (RDTE) portion of the budget. Coordinates the efforts of combined military and commercial research and devel­opment programs. Interfaces with industry management on matters of policy and project planning. Initiates and monitors research and development contracts. Monitors system life cycle costs, models and supporting data management efforts. Initiates, participates in, and analyzes studies to determine the future needs of the Army. Reviews requirements for facilities, materiel and personnel resources necessary for program execution. Evaluates research and development programs aimed at the conceptual development of materiel for fu­ture U.S. military forces.

Special qualifications. Must be branch qualified and possess at least a baccalaureate degree from a college or university recognized by the Department of the Army. Either the baccalaureate or advanced degree must be in a technical, scientific, or managerial field. Must be a graduate of the Materiel Acquisition Management (MAM) Course at the U.S. Army Logistics Management College (ALMC), Fort Lee, VA. Attendance at the Program Management Course (PMC) at the Defense Systems Management College (DSMC), Fort Belvoir, VA is desirable.

Special grading of positions.

(a) Research and Development Staff Officer (CPT).

(b) Research Engineer (CPT/MAJ).

(c) Assistant Product Manager (MAJ).

(d) Research and Development Coordinator (MAJ).

(e) Project Management Officer (LTC).

(f) Research and Development Project Officer (LTC).

(g) Director of Research and Development (COL).

Unique duty positions. None.

Test and Evaluation (51B).

Description of duties. Plans, designs, and documents experi­ments and tests to provide data to address specific issues under conditions ranging from highly controlled scientific experiments conducted in the laboratory or field to more realistic, freeplay exercises in an operational environment. Coordinates and schedules all resources for the test to include budget estimates, data collection, test players and controllers, government and nongovernment equip­ment, communications, and logistical support. Designs automated data processing support plans and instrumentation to collect and reduce data associated with the testing of materiel systems, doctrine, tactics, and other concepts. Conducts and controls the test to satisfy the design and testing objectives, reduces data, and writes the test report. Evaluates test data and integrates it into information from other resources. Assesses the performance, utility, military suitability and effectiveness of the system, concept or experiment and prepares a comprehensive evaluation. Provides the results of the evaluation to the decision maker.

Special qualifications. Must be branch qualified and possess at least a baccalaureate degree from a college or university recog­nized by the Department of the Army. Either the baccalaureate or advanced degree must be in a technical, scientific, or managerial field. Must be a graduate of the MAM Course. Completion of the Test and Evaluation Management Course (ALMC or DSMC), and the PMC at DSMC is desirable. Background experience or training in the following areas is desirable: statistics, modeling, or risk analysis.

Special grading of positions.

(a) Test and Evaluation Staff Officer (CPT).

(b) Test Pilot (CPT/MAJ).

(c) Test and Evaluation Coordinator (MAJ).

(d) Test and Evaluation Project Officer (LTC).

(e) Test Director (COL).

(f) Board President (COL).

Unique duty positions. None.

Combat Developments (51C).

Description of duties. Formulates operational concepts and develops doctrinal, training, organizational and materiel requirements to solve battlefield deficiencies preventing the execution of these concepts. If a materiel requirement is identified, the analysis includes evaluation of life cycle costs, affordability, force structure implications, battlefield systems integration, and associated implications regarding doctrine, training, and logistics support. Represents the materiel system user throughout the acquisition life cycle.

Special qualifications. Must be branch qualified and possess at least a baccalaureate degree from a college or university recognized by the Department of the Army. Either the baccalaureate or advanced degree must be in a technical, scientific, or managerial field. Must be a graduate of the MAM Course. Attendance at PMC is desirable.

Special grading of positions.

(a) Combat Developments Staff Officer (CPT).

(b) Combat Developments Coordinator (MAJ).

(c) Deputy TRADOC System Manager (LTC).

(d) Combat Developments Project Officer (LTC).

(e) Director of Combat Developments (COL).

(f) TRADOC System Manager (COL).

Unique duty positions. None.

Acquisition (51D).

Description of duties. The capstone for Functional Area (FA) 51 is AOC 51D. It identifies positions which require an officer with broad acquisition knowledge and experience. Should have a thorough knowledge of the Concept Based Requirements System (CBRS), and the entire combat developments process. Should have a thorough knowledge of the materiel acquisition process along with the Life Cycle Systems Management Model and its associated phases.

Special qualifications. To be awarded AOC 51D an officer must have experience in of the three FA 51 basic AOCs or have had extensive experience in one particular AOC and successfully completed the PMC at DSMC.

Special grading of positions.

(a) Product Manager (LTC).

(b) Assistant Project Manager (LTC).

(c) Project Manager (COL).

Unique duty positions. None.