FORT CARSON, Colo. -- The Developmental Assignment Program (DAP) was created by U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) to provide cross-training opportunities for Department of the Army civilians.
The program place individuals in a different job for 30, 60 or 90 days, and then returns them to their previous position.
According to IMCOM, "The program provides multifunctional training and assignments to strengthen the experience of employees and prepare them for broader responsibilities and improve organizational communication. The DAP program provides expanded opportunities for learning and development to its participants and achieves fully-trained, multifunctional and responsive employees."
I elected to temporarily move from my position with Outdoor Recreation, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR), to across post and join the team at the Garrison Public Affairs Office (PAO) for eight weeks. While here, I learned as much as I could about public affairs, working day-to-day with the Garrison PAO staff as well as the 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Soldiers.
It was easy to feel a little lost at first as I learned the pace of a new workplace and felt out my role. I found myself tying up loose ends I had left with DFMWR, sneaking back to my desk occasionally to conduct Outdoor Rec business. The friendly staff at PAO, however, helped to guide me and, eventually, I felt I had hit my stride.
PAO, I learned, is multifaceted, focusing on community issues, media relations and internal communications. Facebook and Twitter: PAO. The Mountaineer newspaper: also PAO. Veterans groups wanting a tour of post: You guessed it, PAO.
I can absolutely say that I learned a lot as a result of this opportunity. PAO plays a part in most events on post, so I traveled outside of my usual DFMWR circles to meet people and visit places I've never been in my five years here. For the Mountaineer, I visited schools, chapels, Army Community Service facilities and the veterinary clinic; places that as a Department of the Army civilian I never had a reason to visit.
I now look at DFMWR events and activities in a new light. I'll now consider how best to use resources beyond my workplace to market, network and run events.
At Outdoor Recreation we teach classes on photography and action camera usage. I was able to give back to PAO by developing a curriculum centered around mobile and action camera techniques they can use to tell the Army story across all media: print, social and online.
Overall, my time with the Developmental Assignment Program gave me a new outlook on my existing job, and a better understanding of the many facets of installation management.
Department of the Army civilians interested in the program can contact Siah Olatunji with the IMCOM Workforce Development Team at 210-466-0348 or siah.olatunji.civ@mail.mil for more information.
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