Employees graduate DoD leadership program

Courtesy Photo | Members of the Department of Defense’s Executive Leadership Development Program Cohort 2018 ride in a tactical vehicle during a training exercise recently. ELDP combines hands-on military training to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the mission of the warfighter and the national security environment. (Courtesy photo)  

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, UNITED STATES

06.12.2018

Story by Eileen Hernandez 

Defense Finance and Accounting Service

INDIANAPOLIS, June 12, 2018 – Not every Defense Finance and Accounting Service employee flies in helicopters, repels down 64-foot walls, crawls through dirt and climbs toward the sky, but three DFAS employees did all this in pursuit of leadership development.
DeWayne Arnold, Joy Hughes and Heather Murnane graduated from the Department of Defense's Executive Leadership Development Program cohort during a special ceremony at the Pentagon June 7.
Arnold is a Departmental Reporting branch chief at DFAS Cleveland, Hughes is an Enterprise Solutions and Standards lead accountant at DFAS Indianapolis; and Murnane is an Audit Readiness division chief at DFAS Columbus.
The ELDP is a 10-month program designed to provide structured, experiential learning opportunities with warfighters to enable deliberate development of a diverse cadre of future leaders with the joint and interagency perspectives and competencies needed to lead teams, projects and people.
"We believe it better places them in a position to have a true appreciation for what our customers do," said David McDermott, DFAS deputy director for Operations.
"The program also promotes teamwork and leadership," McDermott added. "We have had a number of people go through the ELDP, and all have given positive feedback."
This year is no exception.
"The ELDP program stretched my leadership skills while affording me an opportunity to learn and grow," said Arnold, who added the program teaches participants how to be comfortable in uncomfortable situations.
"On a reoccurring basis in the program, you have to brief, give presentations or take on a leadership role in the program," he said. "At times, you have little or no guidance on how to create a positive outcome. That is when you can step up to the challenge. It's how you overcome those uncomfortable situations that will define your mettle."
Murnane testified the program was a life-changing experience for her.
"We are very lucky to work in an organization that not only supports, but encourages this level of leadership development," she said. "ELDP has been an amazing 10-month adventure."
Murnane came to the program with no prior military experience but said she "gained a sense of understanding for the warfighter."
"This program provides the ability to better understand our warfighters as well as the similarities and differences across all of the services," she said.
"The military leaders that we were fortunate to spend some time with and the civilians within the cohort are better than I could have imagined," Murnane continued. "These folks have dedicated their lives to ensuring we are safe, and they carry out their missions with honor, courage and commitment. They deserve to receive first class service from DFAS as their service provider."
While the DFAS participants agreed the program was both rewarding and valuable, they also said it requires a high-level of commitment and dedication.
DFAS candidates must be a GS-12 to GS-14 and be available and willing to commit to the 10-month program which involves a series of temporary duty assignments.
"Getting into the program is not easy," McDermott said. "People interested must apply for it and provide reasons why they believe they are right for the program, what they believe they will gain from it and how they can translate that into a return on investment for the agency."
ELDP is an expensive program for the agency, the travel alone can cost upwards of $8,000 per employee.
While the TDY locations for each year's program can vary, the locations for the 2018 cohort went TDY to Seoul, South Korea; Honolulu; San Diego; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and San Antonio.
Candidates must also pass a physical fitness assessment. They may participate in the following activities:
• running obstacle courses,
• rappelling,
• land navigation,
• 3-5 mile field hike,
• leader reaction course,
• nuclear biological chemical chamber,
• aviation survival training (swim qualification),
• basic underwater demolition SEAL training,
• daily physical fitness training, and
• bayonet assault course.
The program also provides exposure to senior military officers and civilian executives, introduces new concepts along the development continuum, and offers virtual sessions for continued learning and practical application.
ELDP is the best civilian leader development training I have attended within the Department of Defense," Arnold said. The experience reminded him of why many choose to work at DFAS. "We are here to serve the customer and the warfighters."

• Date Taken: 06.12.2018
• Date Posted: 12.31.2018 18:01
• Story ID: 305925
• Location: INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US