Defense Civilian Training Corps

The Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, addresses critical skill gaps within the Department of Defense (DoD) by preparing students for public service roles. It focuses on areas such as acquisition, digital and critical technologies, science, engineering, and finance. Directed by 10 U.S.C. Chapter 113, the DCTC establishes units at accredited civilian educational institutions authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. The initiative began in FY 2023 with support from the Department of Defense Acquisition Workforce Development Account and was realigned in FY 2025 under the Office of Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.

The program's primary objective is to develop a pipeline of skilled civilians ready to contribute to DoD's acquisition and sustainment missions. This is achieved through a two-year pilot program at four universities: University of Arizona, North Carolina A&T University, Purdue University, and Virginia Tech University. These institutions host DCTC units that offer undergraduate classes contextualized for DoD and real-world challenge projects sponsored by DoD field organizations. The curriculum includes federal government structure, DoD mission and culture, acquisition ecosystem functions, ethics, and technical literacy.

In FY 2025, plans are in place to expand enrollment from 90 to 120 students while maintaining a focus on acquisition and sustainment development. The program emphasizes diversity by including a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and a Hispanic Serving Institution among its participating schools. It also includes project-based summer internships with mentoring and aims for immediate job placement within DoD organizations upon graduation through scholar security clearances and hiring authorities.

The effectiveness of the DCTC pilot program is continuously assessed by the DoD, with annual reports submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress. These assessments inform future implementation plans. The decision not to allocate resources for the program in FY 2024 allowed for evaluation of initial efforts funded in FY 2023; positive outcomes led to renewed support in FY 2025. The program's design serves as a replicable model for other federal partners seeking to strengthen their civilian workforce pipelines.