(STEM) HOSTING UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGIATE CYBER COMPETITIONS FOR HANSCOM AFB TO INCREASE INTEREST IN AIR FORCE CYBER CIVIL SERVICE
Abstract
There is a critical need for the Air Force to recruit and retain engineering talent in the STEM fields of Information and Network, Engineering and Complex systems domains in order to develop and field the latest weapon system technology. In 2014, the former Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James, affirmed that competition for highly qualified, technical talent will continue to intensify as “we vie for gifted aptitude in a very competitive local, global and specific skills market”. She asserts that by 2018, the demand for technical talent will outpace degree production by over one million jobs in the U.S. which will result in a significant challenge to maintain its technical edge as the pace of technology continues to increase. The former Air Force Chief of Staff, General Mark A.Welsh III, also stated the Air Force requires a world-class, technical talent to operate with global preeminence across all warfighting domains to include air, space, and cyberspace. He forecasts that as globalization and the pace of technology continue, the Air Force demand for this talent will continue to grow. Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) in general and Hanscom Air Force Base, in particular, has the critical mission to provide advanced weapon systems to the warfighter in order to maintain our global air superiority in defense of the U.S. and its allies1. The engineers and scientists at Hanscom, in conjunction with defense contractors, develop tomorrow’s most advanced radars, command and operations centers, network infrastructures, communication and intelligence systems, and cyber defense systems. Developing and delivering these weapon systems requires a substantial technical workforce of engineers and computer scientists. The Air Force cannot do this effectively if they lack experienced human resources caused by attrition of experienced engineers, attrition of the developmental pipeline of interns, or inability to fill vacant positions. It is critical to the mission of Hanscom Air Force Base, and the weapon systems developed there, that retention of engineering interns is of prime importance and actions are taken to ensure their high job satisfaction to reduce attrition. The authorized engineering workforce at Hanscom Air Force Base and its operating locations is composed of approximately 605 civilians and 128 military officers. The number of civilian interns makes up approximately 9.3% of the total assigned. The workforce has some diversity concerning age, gender, and race. The age range of the Hanscom Air Force Base engineering workforce spans from 22 years old to 87 years old2. It is important to note that 38% of the workforce is retirement eligible. This provides a reason for concern as the experience level of this group is difficult to replicate.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502210443
Entities
People
- Matthew Mcswain
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Massachusetts Lowell