Chapter 2: Senior Service College /Professional Military Education
(SSC/PME) Programs

For Academic Year (AY) 2013-2014, Army has civilian quotas for the following schools:

• Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), Fort McNair, Washington, DC
• Army War College (AWC) - Carlisle, PA
• Army War College Distance Education (AWC-DE) - location is your permanent place of work. AWC-DE is a two-year non-resident program

These schools are the only ones available for Army civilians for AY13-14 SSC/PME.

Applicability: You must be applying for one of the Army Civilian SSC/PME quotas. If you are a participant in the Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLDP), refer to the directions immediately below. All regular Army civilian applicants will follow the guidance in this chapter.

• DSLDP applicants - Do not apply for PME under this chapter's procedures. Based on participation in the DoD-wide program, you will have a different list of SSCs offering PME as well as different procedures/timelines to follow. DSLDP applicants should follow rules at: http://cpol.army.mil/library/train/catalog/ch04dsldp.html DSLDP participants do not apply for SSC until after acceptance by DoD into the program.

NOTE: Eligibility requirements and rules for mandatory compliance with the Graduate Placement Program (GPP) applies to all PME participants.

• 10 months full-time residence course OR
• 2 years nonresident distance education courses

SSC/PME is the apex of the Army Civilian Education System (CES) and prepares civilians for positions of greatest responsibility in the Department of Army, including but not limited to Army Enterprise Positions. SSC/PME provides advanced level educational opportunities for those who have completed CES training through the Advanced Course or who have received course credit from HQDA G-3/5/7.

Leaders who attend must have an understanding of complex policy and operational challenges and increased knowledge of the national security mission.

Selection for attendance at a SSC is a competitive process and a HQDA Civilian Executive Board screens applicants and makes Army nominations. Like the Officer Corps, Army Civilians graduating from SSC are centrally placed under the SSC Graduate Placement Program (GPP) in a position of greater responsibility in another assignment or organization where they can apply the advanced education they have received per VCSA memo at http://cpol.army.mil/library/train/tld-060503.html.

Selection of Army Civilians to attend leader development and education courses is linked to performance in current assignments, to professional and career development and progression, to career development plans and career management models, and to future assignments. Students are expected to significantly contribute to the learning environment through in depth analytical discussions drawing on their subject matter knowledge and experiences in strategic and policy aspects of national security. Generally, the superior SSC/PME candidate:

• Is a high performing leader with outstanding potential for more responsible leadership positions across the enterprise
• Is ready and able to contribute as a student at a senior leader SSC/PME school.
• Has a broad and varied history of experience leading to increased responsibility and broad perspectives:
  • In multiple organizations, commands, or Defense agencies;
  • At various organizational levels (operating, staff, headquarters);
  • In a range of related occupational areas; and
  • At multiple geographical locations.
• Has leadership and managerial experience that has demonstrated the competence, confidence, and motivation to be a bold and innovative leader in the public sector, to include significant experience in supervising or managing people in an official capacity.
• Has an outstanding performance record and has progressed through positions of increasing responsibility at a faster pace than his/her peers.
• Values life-long learning and:
  • Has succeeded in rigorous programs of formal education, training, and self-development
  • Has one or more degrees in fields related to his/her occupational specialty, and
  • Has successfully completed Army-sponsored leadership programs and other developmental activities toward attaining career goals.
• Is motivated to succeed, and is willing to challenge himself/herself to do so; and
• Has the passion to lead, inspire, and produce results for Army.

Only those with the capacity, commitment and leadership support to pursue a rigorous educational program should be nominated. Specific eligibility requirements and additional guidance on identifying candidates follow.

To be considered for SSC/Professional Military Education (PME) per AR350-1, Army Civilian applicants must have met all eligibility requirements at the time of applicant submission to his/her command:

• LENGTH OF ARMY EMPLOYMENT: Be a permanent, full-time Army Civilian employee for a minimum of three years at time of application. Eligible applicants must have career status in an Army permanent competitive appointment, Schedule A, Excepted appointment without time limitation, or be serving under Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) instrumentality or hold an Excepted Service appointment in the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel Management System.
• GRADE/PAY BAND: Hold a permanent GS-14 or 15, or pay band equivalent position.
• LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE: Have extensive demonstrated leadership experience.
• EDUCATION: Hold a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited institution
• CLEARANCE: Have or be able to obtain a TOP SECRET clearance with Special Background Investigation access that will not expire during the academic year. Students with a "Secret" clearance will be admitted to SSC but may be limited in what courses/lectures they can participate. A copy of your clearance must be submitted with your application.
• TRAINING: Have successfully completed the Civilian Education System (CES) Advanced Course (AC) or have received Advanced Course Credit from HQDA G-3/5/7. To determine and request CES course credit, go to: https://www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/chrtas/student/logon.aspx?caller=1 . After logging in, click on "CES Course Credit" from Student Functions section. If applying for CES Constructive Credit, applicants should allow 90 days for processing (i.e. if application is due to individual's command on 10 May, request for constructive credit should be made NLT 10 Feb).
• ADDITONAL REQUIREMENTS: See the individual SSC/PME announcements in this chapter for additional requirements.
  
  NOTE: Applicants who have already completed a Professional Military Education degree (resident or non-resident) from any Senior Service College are not eligible for consideration under Department of the Army guidelines.

• Eligible candidates: Your application requires your command endorsement. You must forward your package through your chain-of-command to the designated Army Commands (ACOM), Army Service Component Commands (ASCC), Direct Reporting Units (DRU), equivalent Human Resource Directorate (HRD) Staff, or MACOM-equivalent organizations' representative. Your command representative may have established local points of contact as well as internal suspense dates earlier than the HQDA date. Applications sent directly to HQDA will be returned to the sender.
• Army Commands (ACOM), Army Service Component Commands (ASCC), and Direct Reporting Units (DRU): Will establish and announce an intermediate suspense date that allows time to receive applications from their serviced population, conduct a board at the appropriate command level, and forward the applications of the best qualified candidates to the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), ATTN: SAMR-SES, CSLDD via command endorsement reflecting rank order by the suspense date. Applications not submitted through the proper chain-of-command will not be accepted by SAMR-SES, CSLDD.
• Applicants: Are expected to indicate a primary and at least one alternate SSC preference on the SSC Nomination Sheet. Applicants are cautioned, however, to enter preferences only for schools that you are prepared to attend if not selected for their first choice.
• Army Civilian Executive Board (CEB): Will create an Order-of-Merit List (OML), ranking applicants in priority for submission to all Senior Service Colleges. The OML lists will order/arrange applicants in best-qualified priority order using board-established ranking criteria. SAMR-SES will release the results of the Army Civilian Executive Board through Command/ Human Resource Director (HRD) channels. Based on the number of available quotas, application packages will be forwarded to the appropriate SSC for final selection.
• The SSCs: Reserve final acceptance authority. Selections are not final until acceptance is confirmed by the respective institutions. SAMR-SES, CSLDD will notify commands and applicants of final acceptance upon confirmation from the SSCs.
• Results notification: The Secretary of the Army will authorize the release of the Civilian Executive Board results by SAMR-SES, CSLDD within two months of board dates, and, later, final acceptance decisions by the schools. Be patient! Final acceptance notifications are received by SAMR-SES, CSLDD between March and May during the same year as the SSC starts, and are dependent upon each SSC's internal review process.

There is one checklist for all schools. Applicants will submit only one application package regardless of the number of schools for which they request consideration as follows:

Each SSC announcement: Describes the program requirements along with application, evaluation, and selection procedures. Announcements must be reviewed carefully to obtain program requirements and to quality nomination packages. Applicants in a pay band position should confer with a Human Resources Specialist to determine if they meet grade requirements. At the end of each SSC announcement is an area to click that will bring up the application Checklist. The Checklist must be followed exactly to ensure that the application package is complete. Applications reaching SAMR-SES, CSLDD that are incomplete in any way will be returned to the command without action.

SSC Checklist - Applicants will assemble their application package in accordance with the SSC Checklist. Some forms are on-line fillable and can be retrieved by clicking on them from the Checklist or via Appendix D: On-Line Forms, in this Catalog.

• Market SSC and encourage managers to nominate highly motivated leaders who require a thorough knowledge of strategy in order to perform at the strategic level (ACOM, ASCC, DRU, Field Operating Agency, Joint Task Force or higher).
• Get to know the SSC selectees under your purview. Once the Army OML is published, start working with the attendees on post-placement opportunities. See the SSC GPP for more information on what you can do now to enhance the Army mission post-graduation.
• Upon receipt of nomination packets from SAMR-SES, CSLDD, conduct review for those applicants in the FCR or Functional Proponent purview.

• Assist the applicant in obtaining a second Letter of Recommendation from someone who is within the applicant's chain-of-command.
• Provide advice and assistance to the applicant on defining his/her career goals, and in defining which SSCs are most beneficial to his/her career and the mission of the Army.

Applicant: Take these steps to submit a competitive application.

• Discuss the one page supervisory letter of recommendation with your supervisor. If asked by the supervisor to provide input for this recommendation, do so. Ensure that your Letter of Recommendation is signed, dated and provided to you in time to meet any command suspense dates.
• Seek confirmation of the applicable Command intermediate suspense date and apply through chain-of-command in a timely manner.

• Market SSC and encourage managers to nominate highly motivated GS-14/15 or equivalent leaders who require a thorough knowledge of strategy in order to perform at the strategic level (ACOM, ASCC, DRU, Field Operating Agency, Joint Task Force or higher).
• Establish and announce command suspense date to ensure timely compliance with HQDA suspense date.

• Ensure your familiarity with program requirements. Be prepared to act as an internal resource for applicants and their supervisors.
• Assist applicants in occupational series 0301 to determine the appropriate Career Program/Field to reflect on the SSC Nomination Sheet.
• Screen applications carefully to confirm accuracy and completeness.
• Verify that pay band applicants meet the GS-14/15 grade equivalency.

Two (2) Letters of Recommendation must be included in the package. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide these letters. Verify that the applicant's immediate supervisor (person who signs employee performance appraisal) has prepared/signed one and that the second letter is signed by a higher-level manager within the applicant's chain-of-command. The second letter of recommendation must be from a SES or General Officer in the applicant's chain of command.

The "Command endorsement" Memo forwards the best qualified candidates to SAMR-SES, CSLDD. It must:

• Include an order-of-merit list (OML) of nominees within the body of the endorsement or as an enclosure.
• If the Command/equivalent organization has only one nominee, the endorsement must include a statement that the nominee is "one of one."
• Include the name, email address and telephone number of the Command/equivalent POC.

The Command will determine what method(s) are appropriate to generate an OML. Forward nomination packages of best qualified candidates to HQDA via command endorsement in time to reach SAMR-SES, CSLDD by the suspense date. SAMR-SES, CSLDD must receive the original packet and one copy.

Intermediate endorsements from subordinate commands or installations, must be removed before submission of the Command-endorsed applications to SAMR-SES, CSLDO. Forward only what is listed on the appropriate Checklist.

• Original Command Endorsement Memo (see above) should be placed on top of all submissions.
• Reproduce the signed/dated Command endorsement and insert a copy of it on the top of each application package
• Verify each applicant's package follows the applicable checklist for the requested SSC in both the original and copy. NOTE: Do not unseal the official transcript! Only the sealed original is required. It must be received from the applicant unopened, and must remain unopened when forwarded. Transcripts that have been unsealed will not be accepted.
• Retain a copy of the entire package for your records.
• Arrange the entire submission in the OML order listed on the cover command memo.
• Approved packages shall be submitted to:

  Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs)
  ATTN: SAMR-SES, CSLDD (Mrs. Frank or Mr. Maldonado)
  2530 Crystal Drive, Taylor Building, Suite 1600
  Arlington, VA 22202

• Ensure that nominations are received by SAMR-SES, CSLDD not later than the suspense date. Use express mail services if necessary.

• Applicants: Must sign the SSC GPP Mobility Agreement as a condition of applying for SSC.
• Selectees: Will submit an updated resume to SAMR-SES, CSLDO reflecting the SSC they are attending and current school and home email addresses, telephone numbers, and projected date of graduation within thirty calendar days of SSC start. Resumes may be mailed or sent electronically to:

  Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs
  ATTN: SAMR-SES, CSLDO (Mrs. Frank or Mr. Maldonado)
  2530 Crystal Drive, Taylor Building, Suite 1600
  Arlington, VA 22202

  
  
  Email: barbara.frank@us.army.mil or angel.maldonadoramirez@us.army.mil
  
• The SSC Graduate Placement Program (GPP) is authorized to reassign you to a position in your current grade. You cannot be non-competitively promoted via the GPP. If you are looking for a specific location and/or type of duty, work with your FCR to identify vacancies and provide to SAMR-SES, CSLDD prior to the November 2012 Civilian Executive Board (CEB) convening. Positions you find on your own efforts, including reassignments, must be validated and approved by the applicable FCR and the CEB. Use this link to the Validation Guidance that describes the characteristics of a position requiring SSC education.
• Work with your FCR to identify your GPP goals and discuss options prior to HQDA CEB placement board. The FCRs are actively committed to finding you a post-placement assignment that meets both SSC requirements and your personal goals. Students should establish and maintain regular communication with their FCRs throughout their SSC attendance.

• Will contact students at the start of the school year to obtain updated resumes.
• Will actively work with SSC students to identify student's personal career goals, assignment preferences and objectives. Student preferences will be considered by the CEB but these preferences are not binding. The needs of the Army are the first consideration when placement decisions are being made.
• The resumes of all SSC students will be presented to the CEB.
• The CEB will consider the SSC students for permanent lateral placement into known or projected vacancies for which they are qualified.
• The CEB will make final placement decisions and the SAMR-SES, CSLDD will prepare announcements notifying Army Commands (ACOM), Army Service Component Commands (ASCC), and Direct Reporting Units (DRU) Human Resource Directors (HRD) and to Career Program Functional Chief Representatives (FCR), Career Field Functional Proponents (FP) and students in February of the SSC graduation year.

• Army Commands (ACOM), Army Service Component Commands (ASCC), Direct Reporting Units (DRU), Human Resource Directors (HRD), Career Program Functional Chief Representatives (FCR), Career Field Functional Proponents (FP) and Acquisition Support Center will provide SAMR-SES, CSLDO valid vacancies at the GS14/15 equivalencies for the SSC GPP consideration. These vacancies are due to SAMR-SES, CSLDD NLT 1 Oct 2013.

Advanced leader development education such as SSC provides a valuable learning experience. The success of today's Army comes from the total commitment to the ideals of freedom, fairness, and human dignity upon which our country was founded. To this end, equal opportunity for all personnel is the only acceptable standard. The backgrounds, ideas and insights of men and women, all racial and ethnic groups, and persons with disabilities are a source of strength and diversity for our Nation and our workforce. Eligible employees should be encouraged to participate in these programs by functional, managerial, human resource, and equal opportunity officials in support of Army goals.

• You are required to accept in writing the offered seat. Acceptances must be submitted by email to the SAMR-SES, CSLDO POCs identified at the end of this section within two weeks of the date that final acceptance notices are released.
• Declinations: Selectees declining SSC will forward a formal statement of declination through their chain of command to the address provided above, with copy furnished to G-3/5/7 at G357/CTSA@conus.army.mil. Selectees who decline will be removed from any future consideration for SSC.

• Final placement decisions will be made as soon as possible during the academic year. The personnel action may be cut at any point during the academic year, but not later than the second week of May each academic year.
  • The DCS G3/5/7 will cover any PCS costs unless the graduate is already covered by a transportation agreement in connection with an overseas transfer.
• Will coordinate with the selecting official/gaining organization regarding effective date of reassignment. Employee PCS, if necessary, will usually be accomplished after graduation.

• When the reassignment has been effected, losing organizations can immediately backfill against the position and mitigate disruption to the mission.

Submit all inquiries to the CTSA central mailbox at: G357/CTSA@conus.army.mil

HQDA G-3/5/7 POC:
Michelle White
michelle.l.white@us.army.mil 703-545-4313 (DSN 865)

Budget/Travel Orders:
Ms. Rosalind Thomas
Rosalind.thomas1@us.army.mil 703-545-4304 (DSN 865)

• The selectee will prepare a travel order, DD Form 1610, in accordance with the provisions of the JTR, Volume 2 using the Defense Travel System (DTS). See Long Term Training Guide for information on preparation of travel orders at:
  http://cpol.army.mil/library/train/catalog/app_c.html
• Travel orders POC: Rosalind.thomas1@us.army.mil, or mailed to:

  HQDA G-3 Training Directorate
  DAMO TRV, Rm 2D639
  ATTN: Rosalind Thomas
  450 Army Pentagon
  Washington, DC 20310-0450

Operations:
Ms. Barbara Frank,
barbara.frank@us.army.mil,
703-545-1925 (DSN 865)

Mr. Angel Maldonado,
angel.maldonadoramirez@us.army.mil,
703-545-1897 (DSN 865)

CEB and SSC GPP Policy:
Mr. Mark W. Schaefer,
mark.w.schaefer@us.army.mil,
703-545-1923 (DSN 865)