Functional area description. Systems Automation encompasses a wide variety of automatic information processing functions and requires the Systems Automation Officer to be knowledgeable of a myriad of activities within this career field. Commands and supervises automated information processing units, installations, and activities. Advises the commander and staff on automation policy and technical matters to include command, immediate supervisory, advisory, and technical responsibilities for automated information processing units, installations and activities; engineering, acquisition, construction, installation, security, operation, and maintenance of computer systems. Translates mission needs into computer systems requirements. Plans, evaluates, coordinates, and integrates au­tomation activities at all command and organizational levels. Plans, designs, and implements local area nerks. Implements data base management systems and performs as data base administrator. Directs, plans, implements, and manages security programs for automated systems. Conducts analysis, research, design and development for future systems. Performs economic analysis and plans, programs, and budgets for automation resource requirements. Manages automation resources, maintenance programs, and logistics support. Develops and provides systems documentation. Conducts and evaluates systems tests. Monitors and performs all tasks pertinent to automated systems, acquisition, life cycle development, and force modernization.

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

Systems Automation Management (53A).

Description of duties. Supervises automated information processing units, installations, and activities. Advisor to the commander and staff on automation policy and technical matters. Manages computer systems and provides automation expertise at all command organizational levels to include combined, joint and service agencies. Translates mission needs into computer systems requirements and helps to define functional requirements. Maintains awareness of advances in computer systems capabilities. Performs economic analysis and plans, programs, and budgets for automation resource requirements (equipment, people, and facilities). Develops and implements procedures for the local procurement, storage and distribution control of commercial computer system products. Man-ages automation resources, maintenance programs, and logistics support. Establishes procedures for effective and efficient use of computer systems resources. Develops, implements and manages data base management systems and local area nerks. Establishes and priorities computer systems goals and objectives at various levels. Writes and maintains accreditation plans for computer systems. Develops and manages security procedures. Develops and conducts customer education programs. Develops and coordinates procedures for contingency operation during system emergencies, outages and degraded operations, or downtime for maintenance.

Special qualifications.

(a) Successful completion of the Systems Automation Course (SAC) at the Computer Science School, U.S. Army Signal Center, Ft Gordon, GA, or;

(b) Possess a graduate degree in Management Information Systems (Business) or a related discipline (see DA Pam 600-3), or;

(c) Possess an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems (Business) or a related discipline and have successfully completed Training With Industry (TWI) in a related discipline (see DA Pam 600-3).

Special grading of positions. For positions coded CPT and above.

Position coding. AOC 53A will only be used in the first three positions of the position requirement code on authorization docu­ments. When specific branch expertise is required, the position will be coded with the branch in the fourth and fifth positions; such as, 53A11. When automation skills and knowledge are required but are not the primary requirements of the job, Skill 4H will be used; such as, 11AOO4H.

Unique duty positions.

(a) Automation Staff Officer.

(b) Automation Management Officer.

(c) Automation Security Officer.

(d) Chief, Automation Branch/Division.

(e) Director, Automation Support Activity.

(f) Commander, Automation Information Processing Unit.

(g) Deputy Chief of Staff for Information Management (DCSIM).

Systems Automation Engineering (53B) .

AOC 53B encompasses developmental positions for the Army Acquisition Corps.

Description of duties. Designs, develops documents, engineers, tests, accepts, quality assures, implements, and modifies soft-ware, firmware, and data base systems to support functional mission and sustaining base requirements. Designs interfaces to accommo­date various data communications protocols, and distributed processing, and nerked systems. Plans, engineers and installs computer-communication nerks. Develops objectives, plans, and procedures for testing and evaluating efficiency of computer systems processes. Translates computer systems operational concepts, requirements, architectures, and designs into detailed engineering specification and criteria for the acquisition and installation of software and firmware for weapons, command and control, and management information systems. 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. Tests and evaluates existing and proposed software and firmware configura­tions to meet performance objectives, standards and concepts, and to ensure compatibility with existing systems. Performs staff functions requiring computer engineering expertise, such as quality assurance and control, automated information system (AIS) security, configu­ration management nerk control, and programming computer systems. Maintains awareness of advances in emerging computer system technologies. Establishes technical criteria and milestones for periodic assessment and update of operating, evaluation and maintenance standards. Develops operational, maintenance and evaluation standards and schedules for efficient operation. Plans and manages modifications to system software and data bases. Technical representative to the contracting officer on specified contracts and as technical consultant on computer, software, hardware, and systems engineering matters.

Special qualifications.

(a) Possess a graduate degree in computer science, software en­gineering, computer systems engineering, or a related discipline (see DA Pam 600-3) or;

(b) Possess an undergraduate degree in computer science, software engineering, computer systems engineering or a related disci­pline and must have successfully completed Training with Industry (TWI) in a related discipline (see DA Pam 600-3).

(c) Be a graduate of the M teriel Acquisition Management (MAM) Course at the U.S. Army Logistics Management College (ALMC), Ft Lee, VA. Attendance at the Program Management Course (PMC) at the Defense Systems Management College (DSMC), Ft Belvoir, VA is desirable.

Special grading of positions. For positions coded CPT and above.

Position coding.

(a) AOC 53B will only be used in the first three positions of the requirements code on authorization documents. When specific branch expertise is required, the position will be coded with the branch in the fourth and fifth positions; such as, 53B11. When automation skills and knowledge are required but are not the primary requirements of thejob, SI 4H will be used; such as, 11A004H

(b) Position must be supported with a validated DA Form 2654-R, (Request for Validation of Army Educational Requirements Sys­tem (AERS)) Position.

Unique duty positions.

(a) Software Engineer.

(b) Automation Systems Engineer.

(c) Knowledge Engineer (with SI 4K).

(d) System Analyst.

(e) Combat Developments Staff Officer.

(f) Test Officer.

(g) Assistant TRADOC Systems Manager.

(h) Director, Decision Support Activity (with SI 4K).

(i) Commander, Information Systems Development Center.

Systems Automation Acquisition (53C).

AOC 53C is an ex­cepted program under the Army Acquisition Corps.

Description of duties. Manages the activities of Combat and Materiel Developments organizations involved in the conception, research, development, and acquisition of system automation materiel 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 and Battle-field Development Plan, resulting in a materiel solution, through all Life Cycle Systems Management model phases. Ensures that the Defense Acquisition Process procures the required battlefield automated systems, supplies, and services to support and sustain the readiness of our combat forces. Evaluates competing technological approaches and programs which may affect present or projected Army systems requirements. Supervises the development of schedules, procedures, and cost estimates for software and firmware. Directs testing and evaluation of proposed computer systems and other materiel systems for compatibility with objectives, policies, plans, and concepts. Assesses the performance, utility, military suit-ability and effectiveness of the automation system, concept or exper­iment and prepare a comprehensive evaluation. If a materiel solution is identified, the analysis includes evaluation of life cycle costs, affectability, force structure implications, battlefield systems integration, and associated implications, regarding doctrine, training and logistics support. Represents the systems automation materiel user through the acquisition life cycle.

Special qualification.

(a) Possess AOC 53B designation, and be selected by HQDA, PERSCOM as an Army Acquisition Corps Candidate, Skill 4M.

(b) Possess 3 years experience in Army Acquisition Corps AOC 53B developmental assignments, of which 1 year must be in an Acquisition Command (U.S. Army Materiel Command (USAMC), or the Information Systems Engineering Command (ISEC), and U.S. Army Information Systems Command (USAISC).

(c) Attendance at the Program Management Course (PMC), De­fense Systems Management College (DSMC), Ft Belvoir, VA is required of field grade officers for certification and award of Army Acquisition Corps Skill 4Z (Certified Acquisition Corps Officer).

Special grading of positions. For positions coded LTC and above.

Position coding.

(a) AOC 53C will only be used in the first three positions of the position requirement code on authorization documents. When spe­cific branch expertise is required, the position will be coded with the branch in the fourth and fifth positions; such as, 53C11. When automation skills and knowledge are required but are not the pri­mary requirements of the job, Skill 4H will be used; such as, 51D004H

(b) Position must be supported with a validated DA Form 2654-R.

(c) Selected critical Army Acquisition Corp positions will be coded with SI 4Z (see table 4-3).

Unique duty positions.

(a) Produce Manager.

(b) Assistant Project Manager.

(c) Project Manager.

(d) Acquisition Staff Officer.

Designated Systems Automation (53X).

AOC 53X is for personnel classification only upon designation for FA 53 to indicate the officer does not meet the functional area qualifications outlined in DA Pam 600-3, paragraph 53-6. Upon completion of formal training or education, the officer will be awarded the appropriate FA 53 AOC. AOC 53X will also identify FA 53 officers who fail to maintain minimum training and experience requirements for AOC 53A, 53B, or 53C at each grade level. AOC 53X will not be used to code positions on authorization documents.

See Army Pamplet 600-3-53 for more information.