Why Apply to TWI?

A 140A/140K Existential Analysis

By CW3 Jesus “Manny” Arellano & CW3 Wesley Scott

Article published on: July 1, 2024 in the 2024 Issue 1 of the Air Defense Artillery Journal

Read Time: < 8 mins

Authors Cw3 Jesus M. Arellano (Left) and CW3 Wesley Scott (Right)

The Training with Industry (TWI) Program was initiated in the 1970s in response to the Army’s critical need for officers with state-of-the-art skills in industrial practices and procedures not available through military or civil education programs. Today, the Air Defense Artillery branch supports the TWI program with Warrant Officers at two different locations. The Air & Missile Defense Tactician (140K) and the Air & Missile Defense Systems Integrator (140A) are hosted at Redstone Arsenal, AL and during their one year tour, they are integrated with Development Command (DEVCOM) Aviation & Missile Center (AvMC) and Program Executive Office (PEO) Missiles and Space (M&S) The Air & Missile Defense Technician (140L) is hosted at Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA embedded with the logistical and sustainment operations supporting Air & Missile Defense equipment.

Application and acceptance into TWI programs result in an Additional Service Obligation (ADSO) of three years. As Air Defenders, this ADSO directly supports the Fires Center of Excellence (FCoE). Post-TWI students receive a primary utilization tour within the FCoE portfolio including Warrant Officer Education System (WOES) Instructors, Army Capability Managers (ACM), or positions within the Directorate of Training and Doctrine (DOTD). This is a mutually beneficial utilization of the TWI student’s knowledge gained after working with governmental agencies and industry partners and allows the selected candidates the opportunity to share their experiences and knowledge with the next generation of Warrant Officers. The TWI positions at Redstone Arsenal expose the student to the science and technology that leads to developmental testing as well as the PEO M&S portfolio conducting operational tests and fielding of new equipment. In addition to the previous lines of effort, TWI students are uniquely placed to observe the acquisitions processes and work with the Air & Missile Defense Cross Functional Team (AMD CFT) on experimental efforts in support of Army Futures Command (AFC).

Arriving at Redstone Arsenal and being exposed to DEVCOM AvMC and PEO M&S is an overwhelming experience for those who have primarily served in traditional Army elements. Navigating the intricate web of interrelated agencies, the nuance of governmental employee and contractual employees, and understanding your role as a TWI student presents an information overload. During our tenure we worked closely with agencies within AvMC and PEO daily and this gave us an opportunity to share our operational knowledge with the teams that support system development as we learned their processes and lexicon. We gained perspective to the challenges in bringing a new Air Defense system from inception to fielding and the sustainment challenges that inherently follow as well as crash courses in acquisition language and programmatic management.

Being a local active-duty Air Defense Warrant Officer gave us an incredible opportunity to work with the AMD CFT and the Army Capability Manager - Army Air and Missile Defense Command (ACM-AAMDC). We often coordinated efforts to support their initiatives such as Program Increments (PIs) which serve as the basis for Agile development and provided us with multiple perspectives from the expert civilian and military members who manage these herculean programs. In addition to our own national efforts in Air Defense we supported multiple TDY’s to partner nations in support of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) that gave insight to how the program supports the sale, fielding, training, and sustainment of partner nation military hardware and software. Building these relationships with partner nations is crucial to the long-term success of our programs and these opportunities allowed us to share our subject matter expertise with foreign military members.

Along with the opportunities that are available while serving as a TWI student, you will also have the time for personal and professional development. You are in control of your schedule which allows you to complete your civilian degree and professional Military Education (PME) goals. We both were able to complete college credits and graduated from Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education (WOILE) during our tenure. Working in the nexus of the Air & Missile Defense military industrial complex also provided ample opportunities to attend conferences, working groups, and symposiums related to the current and future state of the branch.

Huntsville, Alabama and is a true melting pot community and most people that live here are transplants from different areas of the world. With many people supporting the thriving industry within the city, it’s no wonder that Huntsville is referred to as the “Rocket City”. The city itself has many opportunities for entertainment ranging from concerts, sporting events, multiple outdoor activities, night life, and craft food and drink restaurants.

This past year has exposed us to massive work that goes into how we design, acquire, develop, deliver, and sustain capabilities to the Air Defense branch. We have gained the tools necessary to enhance ourselves as instructors and benefit the branch during our utilization tours. We encourage that you take the challenge and apply for the Training with Industry program. The selection process is competitive, but if selected, you will be left with a rewarding experience that will catapult your career opportunities both in and out of uniform.