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Assistant Secretary for Acquisition Logistics and Technology

Army Assistant Secretary (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), Department of Defense
Responsibility
Management Scope

The responsibilities of the ASA(ALT) are to develop, acquire, field and sustain materiel effectively and efficiently by relying on domestic, organic, commercial and foreign technologies and capabilities to meet the Army’s current and future mission requirements.
As the Army’s acquisition executive, the ASA(ALT) is responsible for the research, development and acquisition of Army platforms and warfare systems, and oversees more than 100,000 people and an annual budget exceeding $50 billion.
The organization consists of an immediate staff to the ASA(ALT), direct reporting organizations (United States Army Acquisition Support Center; Army Medical Research and Material Command; Army Science Board; and ASA(ALT) System of Systems Engineering and Integration) and program executive offices (PEOs).

Primary Responsibilities
  • Serves as the Army’s acquisition executive representing the Army to the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics and to Congress on all matters relating to acquisition policy and programs
  • Establishes policies and procedures and manages the Army’s research, development and acquisition activities in accordance with Department of Defense 5000 Series directives
  • Responsible for the development and acquisition of Army platforms and weapon systems
  • Responsible for all department matters related to logistics
  • Provides direct supervision to:
    • United States Army Acquisition Support Center
    • Army Medical Research and Material Command
    • Army Science Board
    • ASA(ALT) System of Systems Engineering and Integration
  • Manages and supervises the following people, programs and policy through the principal deputy ASA(ALT):
    • Deputy assistant secretary for the elimination of chemical weapons
    • Deputy assistant secretary for plans, programs and resources
    • Chief information officer
    • Deputy assistant secretary for research and technology
    • Chairman Army Science Board
    • Deputy assistant secretary for procurement
    • Deputy assistant secretary for strategic communication and business transformation
    • Deputy assistant secretary for acquisition policy and logistics
    • Deputy assistant secretary for defense exports and cooperation
    • Deputy assistant secretary for the acquisition and systems management
  • Exercises management and oversight, through the principal military deputy/director acquisition career management/chief integration officer, of the following organizations and PEOs:
    • Deputy for medical systems
    • Director of the U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center
    • Director of the Chemical Materials Agency
    • Joint Program Executive Office (JPEO) Chemical and Biological Defense
    • JPEO Joint Tactical Radio System
    • PEO Ammunition
    • PEO Aviation
    • PEO Command, Control, Communications Tactical
    • PEO Combat Support and Command Services Support
    • PEO Enterprise Information Systems
    • PEO Ground Combat Systems
    • PEO Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors
    • PEO Missiles and Space
    • PEO Simulation, Training and Instrumentation
    • PEO Soldier
  • Responsible for all aspects of life-cycle management in the assigned programs and in the following organizations:
    • Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Integration Office
    • Deputy for life-cycle integration
    • Tank Automotive Life Cycle Management Command
    • Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command
    • Communication Electronics Life Cycle Management Command
    • Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command
Strategic Goals and Priorities
[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration.]
Requirements

• Appointed from civilian life
• Extensive leadership and management experience
• Strong substantive expertise in military affairs and civil/military relations
• Experience in Department of Defense, Armed Services Committee and/or other relevant entities
• Substantive scientific and/or engineering background
• Background or experience in federal budgeting, acquisition and workforce management

Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to handle sensitive matters
• Ability to integrate diverse missions and organizations
• Ability to work under high pressure

Past Appointments
  • Steffanie B. Easter (2016 to 2017) – Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Executive Director F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office; Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education; Assistant Commander for Acquisition, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR); Deputy Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs, NAVAIR
  • Katharina McFarland (Acting: 2016) – Assistant Secretary of Defense (Acquisition); President of the Defense Acquisition University; Director for Acquisition for the Missile Defense Agency
  • Heidi Shyu (2011 to 2016) – Vice Chair, Air Force Scientific Advisory; Corporate Vice President, Technology and Research at the Raytheon Corporation; Vice President of Technology Strategy, Raytheon Company’s Space and Airborne Systems; Vice President and Technical Director, Space and Airborne Systems, Raytheo
AGENCY

Department of Defense

Mission: The Army's mission is to fight and win our nation's wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders.

COMPENSATION

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)1

REPORTS TO

Secretary of the Army

SENATE COMMITTEE

Armed Services

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Footnote
  1. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.
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