Human Resources Command to select officers for DARPA intern program
By Carmen Popwell
Professional Development Education Manager
Officer Personnel Management Directorate
(502)613-6430
Carmen.popwell@conus.army.mil or
Carmen.popwell@us.army.mil
FORT KNOX, Ky - The U.S. Army's Human Resources Command (HRC) will be selecting eight officers annually to participate in special intern assignments in Arlington, VA. The new selection process allows the Army to give its best-qualified officers a golden opportunity.
Approved by the Training Doctrine Command (TRADOC) in 2004, the Defense Advanced Research Program (DARPA), intern project, the Service Chiefs' Program (SCP) was originally filled through Army tasks and did not use an official selection process until just a few months ago.
In order to provide this opportunity to the Army's best, DARPA representatives requested that the Army re-evaluate its screening process. This past fall, Army Operations, Civil-Military Affairs and Training (G3/g/7), TRADOC and HRC agreed to conduct an official selection process.
More about the program
DARPA's Service Chiefs' Program provides select officer interns for two- to three-month assignments.
The SCP exposes rising military officers to a unique organization whose mission is to rapidly develop imaginative and often high-risk research ideas, offering technological impact that goes beyond normal evolutionary approaches.
The SCP goal is to increase DARPA technology and professional-development awareness within key Army commands. The SCP assists DARPA in understanding the service needs due to the valuable input into technology-development efforts by the members of the program. Upon completion of their assignment to SCP, members create a liaison between DARPA and the services, Popwell further explained.
Selectees will use their government-sponsored, contractor-issued travel card to pay for travel costs, as is typically the case with any duty outside the normal location.
Privately owned vehicles (POVs) are authorized from duty station to the DARPA facility; rental cars are not authorized, as lodging is within a block from the DARPA installation.
DARPA will assign SCP interns to a DARPA technical office for their assignments. They will plan and execute a project during their 90-day tenure that exposes them to the "DARPA method," provide them with insight into technology, and potentially aid to develop DARPA
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technology. Participants will also have a chance for self study.
DARPA will also provide logistical support for on-site Army interns that includes security access and information technology; and it will provide and coordinate full travel funding for DARPA SCP interns, including suitable lodging for those who live outside metropolitan Washington, D.C., area.
Do you have what it takes'
Selected officers are restricted to active duty, including competitive career categories, medical and Active Guard and Reserve (AGR). They should meet the following conditions:
Aca,!Ac Recently served in a tactical/operational unit
Aca,!Ac Be selected either below zone or within zone for all promotion boards
Aca,!Ac Have no more than 17 years active federal commissioned service
Aca,!Ac Be recommended by their reporting senior/rater to attend based on their performance and aptitude.
Aca,!Ac Completed intermediate level education
Aca,!Ac Not be pending any adverse actions
Aca,!Ac Must have at least a secret level security clearance
For more information on the DARPA SCP Internship Program contact Ms. Carmen Popwell: Carmen.popwell@us.army.mil or 502.613.6430. The program G-3/5/7 POC is
Mr. David Thomen @hqda.army.mil or 703-602-8116.
Also contributing was Master Sgt. Christina Steiner, public affairs office, Human Resources Command.
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