A Guide to Defense Industrial Base Training

Defense Industrial Base (DIB) training is used to provide members of the defense industry with knowledge pertaining to the government’s industrial reserves. These reserves directly or indirectly impact equipment production for armed forces such as the Navy, Army, Marines, Coast Guard or Air Force. Through DIB training, this education promotes the research and evolution of military weapons, software, defense systems and parts for U.S. military needs. The DIB also carries out all design, manufacturing, distribution and maintenance of these weapons and components.

 

The DIB is a strong asset of national power that sets the U.S. apart from other adversaries. It is crucial that the DIB is protected, funded and given proper training in order to sustain top performance. This sector is made up of Department of Defense (DoD) constituents, including more than 100,000 DIB companies and subcontractors working under the DoD, material and service providers for the DoD, and facilities owned by the government and operated by government power or contractors. Included in this wide scope are domestic and foreign entities, connecting manufacturing in many countries.

 

Training is needed to better understand the industrial side of defense and ensure proper supply chain/logistics management of weapons and systems. The DoD provides assistance with education and training in security to DIB asset owners, or operators. DIB training focuses on the various activities that best suit the U.S. military and promote national security.

 

The Goal of DIB Training

General DIB training is implemented with the goal of providing security education and useful training materials for DIB asset owners and operators. This applies to a range of segments and subsegments from missiles, aircraft and ammunition to electronics, shipbuilding and space. Furthermore, this training aims to provide education and support regarding mechanical, structural, electrical and electronic commodities.

 

DIB Commodities

Commodities that fall under the DIB cover a wide scope. In terms of mechanical commodities, the DIB provides training and education on diesel, rocket and turbine engines, aircraft and automotive transmissions, landing gear, bearings, pumps and compressors, nuclear components and hydraulics. To uphold structural commodities, the DIB assesses and ensures quality of forgings, castings, depleted uranium armor, ceramic armor, composites and precious metals. Additionally, electrical motors, thermal batteries, auxiliary power units, low smoke wire and cable, aircraft circuit breakers and switchgear are materials implemented in DIB operations. Lastly, with the rapid innovation of technology, DIB electronic commodities encompass optics, guidance/control, communication, digitization, GPS receivers, semiconductors, traveling wave tubes, circuit boards and software.

 

Awareness Training

Within DIB training, awareness training is used to assess vulnerabilities. This training provides DIB personnel with information that helps them understand asset or resource placement within all of the DoD mission demands and processes as well as raises awareness of their roles within both corporate and site status. In performing awareness training, DoD and federal interests are secured and those fighting in wars are provided with a greater sense of mission composure and affirmation. This is an extremely important aspect of maintaining good relationships between facilities, law enforcement (federal, state, local) and local responders to engage in business improvement planning.

 

Risk Management Training

Awareness training also provides a valuable support for risk management training. Risk management requires proper education and training to ensure success in the DIB. The DoD promotes this training by enhancing the education of security partners within the DIB sector. This is organized through meetings and facilitated conversations with senior executives, risk management or assessment teams, security staff and intelligence analysts. To advance this education, several programs are offered to cover a variety of areas in risk management:

 

• DCIP Awareness Visits

“Defense Critical Infrastructure Program” (DCIP) visits to integrate officials from a wide spectrum of DIB security partners and educate them on their related responsibilities and objectives. Additionally, this typically includes an assessment of facilities’ efficacy of risk management in the instance of a threat or conflict. These visits are made with the goal of increasing the knowledge base of DIB leaders in ownership, management and security, as well as local first responders concerning threats to current and future operations. As a result, strong working relationships between DIB personnel and local first responders are formed, while stressing the importance of DIB facilities partnering with local security for risk management at these locations.

 

• DIB Mission Assurance Assessment Training

This program provides training for those performing assessments. Mission Assurance Assessment training comprises three levels: prioritization of DIB reserves and risk management training to safeguard groundwork, principles of the assessment procedures, and assessment techniques and strategies. Upon completion of training, participants will be equipped to better perform assessments of vulnerabilities and mitigate risk.

 

• DIB Annual Training Conference

A DoD-sponsored conference where senior leaders and analysts in the DoD and private sector present updates on a variety of topics surrounding DIB to improve performance and approaches. These workshops encourage active participation and engagement learning with technical applications.

• Level I Anti-terrorism Awareness

An anti-terrorism awareness program designed to educate DIB personnel on warning signs of terrorism. Participants are taught how to analyze this information correctly and report it efficiently.

• Computer Security Awareness

This program emphasizes the need for strong, effective cybersecurity and is available to any level or ranking of DoD employee. Overall, within this training, participants will learn how to better protect the DoD’s valuable information and payments related to security.

 

In all, DIB training promotes industrial readiness in military depots by ensuring all DoD organizations are educated on the segments, subsegments and commodities related to their area of expertise. It also plays an essential role in risk management by ensuring that all related practices and facilities are using proper security standards and have an appropriate plan in place in the case of threats or conflict. To provide greater insight into the supply chain and defense logistics, DIB training produces a deeper awareness and understanding of the industrial side of defense. Essentially, DIB training emphasizes the importance of proper training in all areas of the military for success.

 

Looking to get your unit or DoD business more involved in DIB training? The Institute for Defense and Business (IDB) provides courses such as AIR-P: Aviation Industrial Readiness Program. This program is designed for leaders in DIB organizations: O 5-6 grade military officers, CW5 warrant officers, GS 13-15 DoD civilians and private sector senior leaders. Participants will learn business management strategies to advance America’s complex depot, arsenal and ammunition facilities, and the partnerships between the public and private sectors that support them.

 

About the Institute for Defense and Business

The Institute for Defense and Business (IDB) delivers educational programs and research to teach, challenge and inspire leaders who work with and within the defense enterprise to achieve next-level results for their organization. IDB features curriculum in Logistics, Supply Chain and Life Cycle Management, Complex Industrial Leadership, Strategic Studies, Global Business and Defense Studies, Continuous Process Improvement, and Stabilization and Economic Reconstruction. Visit www.IDB.org or contact us on our website for more information.