Civilian, officer development backs up book study with travel Published March 24, 2010 By David Michael and April Rowden ELDP participant and Air Force Personnel Center Public Affairs Office RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- From Southbridge, Mass., to Seoul, South Korea, the 61 members of the 2010 Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program have been globetrotting to gain hands-on field experience geared toward sculpting their joint leadership skills. By exposing the participants to the various military components and allied forces around the world, program managers hope to encourage problem-solving skills that incorporate enterprise-wide solutions. "Because we live and operate in a joint environment, it's important that we give our future leaders the chance to experience joint and coalition teams working together toward a common goal. Then they can take those broader lessons learned and apply them when making decisions that can impact the success or failure of a mission," said Dr. Todd Fore, Executive Director at the Air Force Personnel Center. For the past 25 years, ELDP has served as a career-enhancing, competitive program for qualifying DoD uniformed and civilian employees in pay grades GS-12/13 or equivalent and for majors and major selects. "Civilian participants are selected based on their potential to become effective leaders at the senior executive level," said Joan Gudinas from AFPC's Directorate of Civilian Integration. "When career development teams vector an individual into ELDP, they are looking for initiative, professional excellence, community involvement, integrity and a commitment to public service." The 10-month program is filled with extensive travel and challenging schedules. Between the historical tours of the North and South Korea demilitarized zone and paying homage in Hawaii during the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, participants join in field training exercises, tackle obstacle courses and complete intensive studies all over the world. "This program is not for everyone. It's physically, mentally and intellectually demanding," Ms. Gudinas said. "But if any civilian aspires to become a senior executive in the DoD, participating in the ELDP should be at the top of the training list." To be considered for a position in the ELDP, civilians should annotate this option in their transition civilian development plan, commonly referred to as a T-CDP, as well as apply during the annual civilian developmental education call. For officers interested in pursuing a unit-funded slot in ELDP, they should complete Air Force IMT 3849 V2 and list "ELDP" under the preference. Career field managers can provide additional guidance, including deadlines to submit applications to the ELDP Selection Board. Those selected to attend ELDP should expect to be in temporary duty status for one to two weeks every month during the 10-month period. No temporary backfills are assigned for the ELDP participants. Applications for intermediate and senior developmental education programs such as ELDP, Air Force Legislative Fellow, Air War College, and Strategic Leadership, are due April 5 for officers and April 26 for civilians. Interested parties are encouraged to visit their local FSS's for more information or call the 24-hour Air Force Total Force Service Center at (800) 525-0102.