AMC's Enterprise Learning Office recognized for research on preparing Airmen for future

by Roger Drinnon
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

7/30/2014 - SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- 

As Air Mobility Command transforms the air mobility enterprise into a modernized learning organization, the command's lead office for developing Airmen has received international recognition for training-cost research.

 

AMC's Enterprise Learning Office (ELO) received the Best Paper Award in Business and the Art of Cost Estimating Track category from the International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association following a presentation in Denver, CO. The Business and the Art of Cost Estimating Track focuses on creative and integrated approaches to address industry's most relevant cost-estimating challenges. For AMC, such challenges include maintaining mission readiness in a resource-constrained environment.

 

 "These analyses are part of our holistic approach to learning transformation," said Dr. Darcy Lilley, Chief Learning Officer for AMC's ELO. "It's imperative we use the most cost-effective approach to develop Airmen who are self-directed, lifelong learners, ready to meet tomorrow's challenges to accomplish the command's global mission."

 

ELO collaborated with ICF International, a joint partner under the National Technical Information Service, Department of Commerce.  Dr. Lilley and Mr. Kevin Cincotta, Cost Estimating and Analysis Practice Lead at ICF International, delivered the award-winning presentation and paper entitled, "A Comprehensive Cost Element Structure and Benefit Case Analyses Approach for Lifelong Learning." The presentation and paper examined the costs and expected benefits of various learning initiatives the ELO is sponsoring. The learning initiatives include:

 

            - AMC Training on the Fly - An initiative to make training readily accessible for Mobility Airmen via a video format like YouTube.

 

            - Mobile Device Strategy and Proof of Concept - Mobile learning is a game-changing strategy which can act as a mission effectiveness multiplier by harnessing capability-tailored applications and mobile infrastructure to support innovative solutions to operational needs. The USAF Expeditionary Center is conducting a proof-of-concept with the Contingency Response War Planning Course, expecting to save resources and increase learning. 

 

            - The Critical Thinking Toolkit - A program to enhance decision-making skills or strategies that contribute to disciplined thought processes and accuracy of understanding.

 

"It's an honor to have our efforts recognized this way," said Mr. Cincotta,  "but it's just a first step in an ELO-ICF partnership that aims not only to transform learning at AMC, but also to set the standard for how to do services-related BCAs in the cost-estimating community."

 

Preparing Mobility Airmen for the future via high quality training and development using adult learning principles remains a command priority, as AMC leadership facilitates the intellectual potential and innovative spirit inherent in each Airman.

 

"Access to high quality blended learning gives our Airmen the tools they need to forge the future of our nation's unmatched Rapid Global Mobility." said Gen. Darren McDew, AMC commander. "Measuring the costs and benefits of learning initiatives across AMC gives us critical insight and the ability to minimize cost, leverage existing resources, and make the most effective use of our Airmen's time."

 

ICEAA is a nonprofit organization with more than 2,000 members promoting the profession of cost-estimating and analysis. The organization is represented by more than 20 chapters, nationwide, and international affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.