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For eight weeks this summer, 86 Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) scholars from diverse academic backgrounds applied lessons from the DCTC integrated curriculum and development program to project-based internships hosted by top Department of Defense (DoD) organizations nationwide. Designed to give scholars firsthand insight into DoD civilian careers, DCTC leverages existing relationships between universities and DoD organizations to ensure scholars have transformative internships and a pathway to post-graduation employment.

“Our internships have been carefully crafted to match our proposition: that our scholars will be ready on day one to be active problem solvers,” said Acquisition Innovation Research Center (AIRC) Fellow Karen Thornton. “Building close relationships with the organizations that will ultimately hire our scholars and ensuring a good fit between scholars and their internship placements is a point of pride and focus for AIRC. By aligning the right organization, management team, mission, and location with each scholar, we create more invested and effective partnerships. And we work closely with the organizations to help them understand our curriculum and prepare them to be good mentors and supervisors, ensuring the students have meaningful, project-based internships.”

The scholars were assigned to 27 projects spanning the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Space Force, covering the entire lifecycle of the acquisition process. Hailing from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Purdue University, University of Arizona, and Virginia Tech, with majors ranging from criminal justice, veterinary science and business administration to biochemistry, political science, and mechanical engineering, the scholars brought wide-ranging perspectives to their projects. Impressively, 91 percent of scholars secured one of their top three internship choices, ensuring high satisfaction and alignment with their interests. Furthermore, 80 percent of these projects featured collaborative groups of three or more scholars, fostering teamwork and varied viewpoints. Notably, 20 of the 27 projects had scholars from more than two universities, promoting cross-institutional collaboration and networking.

This year, DCTC scholars made significant contributions across various military and defense centers. Tamara Daye, Alyssa Durrell, and Chris Karceski interned at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center in Warren, Michigan, working on improving the efficiency of technical manuals through digital engineering. “The main objective is to get new information to soldiers faster and make it easier for them to read without spending a lot of money,” said Daye. Reflecting on her experience, she added, “This was my first time in a space that challenged me in new ways with different people and perspectives. This mindset made every situation a win, a redirection rather than a setback.”

Andy Pongratz interned at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, Maryland, focusing on innovation warfare and examining the need for the defense sector to enhance battery production and intellectual property. One memorable experience, he said, was riding an electric boat on the Potomac River with his colleagues. “We had the opportunity to speak with numerous DoD professionals about the threats our country faces from our adversaries and what steps need to be taken to ensure the competitive advantage of our military.”

Two teams of DCTC scholars worked for the United States Space Force in Washington, D.C., on projects involving the design of a low-cost satellite tracking capability and coding an AI program to predict satellite maneuvers. The scholars—Josiah Kasper, Khang Duong, Avery Cowan, Charlotte Moss, Michael Morales, Ellie Wolcott, and Brett Laird— unanimously agreed that the DCTC team’s approach to project-based internships is superior to their past individual internship experiences.

Four scholars, Aarian Shaw, Katlind Nearing, Sarah Hingst, and Andre Asarian worked in research labs on three projects at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center in Edgewood, Maryland, to understand biochemical responses to biological and chemical threats. Meanwhile, Dalia Castro interned in the Army Gaming Studio at the U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center in Huntsville, Alabama. She contributed to the digitalization of The Acquisition Game to engage and educate future scholars about key trade-offs and decision points in the defense acquisition system.

The project-based summer internships culminate with the inaugural DCTC Scholar Showcase at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on July 30 and 31. This event will convene current and incoming DCTC scholars, stakeholders from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment, DoD partners, pilot university leadership, and congressional representatives for face-to-face engagement. Scholars will present their projects, research, and the impact of their work. It promises to be an inspiring display of talent and innovation, focusing on insights gained and the opportunities ahead.

“One unique aspect of this showcase is that it truly amplifies the voices of the scholars,” said Andrea Dame, a senior project manager on the DCTC team. “The event is designed to spotlight the scholars as they present their projects and internship experiences directly to senior leaders.” Among the highlights of the showcase is the early career civilian panel, which the scholars are eagerly anticipating. “We want our students to gain insights from professionals who are relatively early in their careers,” Dame explained. “This gives them a valuable perspective on entering the workforce and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.”

Follow AIRC on LinkedIn for updates on acquisition research and DCTC on LinkedIn and the DCTC Scholars Blog for updates on the pilot program.