Defense Leadership Certificate (DLC) Program

Background

To strengthen and support regional partnerships, NMSU-PSL established the Defense Leadership Certificate (DLC) Program in direct alignment with the priorities set by the WSMR Test Center Director and Commanding General. This leader development program aims to ensure sustained professional growth for the Defense Civilian workforce, addressing workforce needs across diverse DoD missions and installations.

Program Development

The DLC Program was crafted with the specific workforce development goals of WSMR's Test Center in mind with the help of Chieftain Elite Consulting. Recognizing the range of skills required across the DoD, we designed a customizable approach to professional development tailored to the unique needs of defense-focused work environments.

Current Courses 

These courses were developed to address key professional development priorities, including:

  • Effective Communications
  • Leadership and Team Building: Creating Trust and High-Performance Teams
  • Mentorship
  • Improving Developmental testing with Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Technical Writting

Course Highlights

Leadership and Team Building: Creating Trust and High-Performance Teams

This course empowers Defense Civilian Leaders to:

  • Assess personal leadership and identify areas for growth.
  • Conduct team assessments to foster a high-performance culture.
  • Develop a tailored action plan that aligns with team objectives.

Outcome: Leaders build high-trust, results-driven teams that excel in dynamic defense environments.

General George Turner speaking at DLC

Effective Communications

Engineers, scientists, and other technical professionals gain:

  • Skills to clearly present technical ideas to senior leaders.
  • Strategies to foster mutual understanding across diverse audiences.
  • Techniques to enhance communication in Defense Acquisition roles.

Outcome: Students leave equipped with essential communication skills to advance collaboration and informed decision-making in the Defense workplace.

Students collaborating at DLC

Mentorship

Focused on mentorship dynamics within the US Defense environment, this course covers:

  • Roles and responsibilities of both mentors and mentees.
  • Skills to navigate intergenerational workplace challenges.
  • Techniques to create, sustain, and conclude impactful mentorship relationships.

Outcome: Graduates gain a comprehensive understanding of mentorship principles and the ability to foster productive, inclusive mentoring aligned with US Defense values.

DLC breakout session

Improving Developmental Testing with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

This course equips defense professionals with the skills to:

  • Leverage AI to enhance developmental testing and evaluation in defense operations.
  • Identify and address skill gaps in AI integration within the DoD workforce.
  • Apply AI-driven solutions to improve processes, decision-making, and mission success.

Outcome: Participants gain cutting-edge AI expertise to advance testing capabilities, strengthen national security readiness, and lead in an AI-driven defense environment.

Students Presetting on the Final Day of AI Course

Technical Writing (Pilot): Communicating Clear and Impactful Test & Evaluation Reports

This course equips Defense Acquisition professionals to:

  • Structure technical reports that clearly convey Test & Evaluation findings to decision-makers.
  • Transform complex data into concise, accurate, and actionable written products.
  • Apply a rigorous review process to refine and enhance report quality.

Outcome: Participants will develop the skills to produce high-quality technical reports that drive informed acquisition decisions.