Updates to the Civilian Education System

By Julia Bell and Dr. Christina Love

Article published on: September 1st, 2025, in the Army Civilian Professional Journal

Read Time: < 11 mins

This article is an update to the Civilian Education System (CES) information provided in T. Gregg Thompson’s and Frank Wenzel’s “Army Civilian Development” article published in the Army Civilian Professional Journal in July 2025.

As the Army transforms to align with Army transformation initiatives (ATI), the Army Management Staff College (AMSC), which is the executive agent for the Civilian Education System (CES), is transforming CES to develop Army civilian professionals with the leadership skills to support the Army’s focus on increased lethality, strategic deterrence, and mission-first readiness. All changes to CES referenced in this article take effect on 1 October 2025. Updates to systems, policies, and Army regulations are forthcoming and under development in parallel with execution—we are transforming while in contact.

Due to the Deferred Resignation Program and workforce reduction function cuts, a few educational offerings will no longer be available to our civilian workforce. This decision affected key programs, including the Advanced Course (AC), which offered four weeks of leader development for Army civilians in grades GS-13 to GS-15. Virtual offerings of the SECARM Leader Development Seminar, Data Foundations Seminar, and the Business Transformation Seminar will also be discontinued. The progression of Army education and development highlights the need for ongoing revisions, ensuring that changes align with ADP 6-22, Army Leadership and the Profession, “three levels of leadership—Direct, Organizational, and Strategic,” and ATI. ¹

This article provides information that impacts the institutional and self-development learning domains, serving as a valuable resource to reinforce the significance of experiential and lifelong learning, as well as CES leader development.

What We Deliver

CES Courses (Institutional Learning Domain)

CES courses are not just educational experiences in a classroom; they are transformational journeys. The student journey offers many opportunities for personal and professional growth, experiential learning, assessment of skills, and a lasting impact that enhances leadership capabilities. AMSC promotes a culture of excellence, preparing Army civilians to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. When operating in a constantly changing environment, continuous learning is key to the development and success of Army civilian professionals.

AMSC offers a portfolio of courses designed to enable Army civilians to excel in their current and future roles. What has not changed is that the CES program remains the Army’s leader development program for all Army civilians. ² The CES courses within the institutional learning domain are designed to help students thrive using a wide-ranging and practical approach to education, equipping them with the necessary tools to succeed and make meaningful contributions as leaders.

No changes will be implemented to the Supervisor Development Courses (SDC, SDC-R, SDC-EX, and SPV101). AMSC’s goal is to continue to ensure all distributed learning content (DL) delivers important leader development curriculum to Army civilians, especially those who supervise. Each SDC course is proven to enhance the competencies of supervisors, preparing them to effectively lead and manage teams and organizations. The Foundation Course will remain in place and is required for all Army civilians, serving as a prerequisite for the OLC and the ELC. Through these courses, AMSC is committed to encouraging growth and development among Army civilian professionals.

In support of ATI, effective 1 October 2025, AMSC will fully transition from its two synchronous CES teaching departments to one, delivering three progressive educational opportunities for Army civilians in grades GS-10 through 15. AMSC will also deliver CES courses in resident, mobile education teams, and virtual modalities at the point of need.

The new combined department will offer the following:

• The Organizational Leadership Course (OLC) for GS-10 through GS-13 (or grade equivalent) civilians. The OLC is a three-week course designed to develop character, presence, and intellect, assist leaders in leading above the team level, including multi-domain operations, and develop a mission command environment. Completion is required for all GS-10 through GS-13 supervisors within the first three years of supervisory appointment.
• The Enterprise Leadership Course (ELC) for GS 14-15 (or grade equivalent) civilians. The ELC is a two-week course designed to develop leaders for adaptive Army enterprise missions, leading by providing purpose, direction, and motivation, and understanding processes, systems, and supervising supervisors. Completion is required for all GS-14 and 15 supervisors within the first three years of their supervisory appointment. Army civilians in grades GS-14 and GS-15 must complete the ELC or have received equivalency/constructive credit for the AC before applying to the Continuing Education for Senior Leaders Strategic Leadership (CESL-SL) Seminar.
• The Continuing Education for Senior Leaders Strategic Leadership (CESL-SL) Seminar for GS-14-15 (or grade equivalent) civilians. CESLSL’s primary focus is on leading large organizations, understanding the contemporary operating environment, managing strategic direction, and leading and implementing change.

The OLC and ELC will serve as the two developmental gateway courses to support the Army Enterprise Civilian Talent Development Programs (ECTDP) offered by the Army Civilian Career Management Activity (ACCMA).

The enrollment process for these courses has been updated and is streamlined through the Civilian Human Resources Training Application System (CHRTAS), allowing Army civilians to apply to CES courses and track their professional development progress. Potential resident students at Fort Leavenworth are reminded that all CES resident course options are centrally funded by the Army, which results in no cost to the student’s organization.

CES Self-Paced Courses (Self-Development Learning Domain)

AMSC continues to provide valuable asynchronous self-development distributed learning (DL) options for all members of the Army profession. One of the key offerings is the Action Officer Development Course (AODC), which is required for all Army interns. The DL course is designed to help new action officers attain the staffing and communication skills needed at many levels within an organization.³

For Army civilians seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities, the Organizational Leader Development Course (to be renamed the Leader Development Course) provides a flexible D opportunity that enables Army civilians to become more effective leaders at the organizational level. This course is designed to enhance Army civilian skills in response to changing workforce leadership requirements.⁴

The Manager Development Course (MDC) addresses the complexities of leading and managing adaptive systems, providing advanced knowledge in twelve contemporary management topics.⁵ AMSC continues to review and revise these DL options to ensure relevance to the force, while also continuing to meet doctrinal guidance. All self-paced courses enable leaders to learn at their own pace and tailor their educational experience to fit their schedules, enhancing retention and application of knowledge. Upcoming changes also include renaming courses in the portfolio to better represent their content and value to the Army civilian professional.

Rebranding for the Future

AMSC is happy to announce the renaming of its courses. This rebranding effort is a strategic initiative to ensure better alignment with ADP 6-22. It reflects a commitment to enhancing leader development by supporting established leadership levels and perspectives.

• Direct Leadership Course (DLC): Formerly known as the Basic Course, the DLC focuses on the direct leadership level. It emphasizes the “individual/ small group, task-oriented perspective,” and supports the relevant educational experience that caters to foundational leadership skills. ⁶

Table 1. Select Progressive Army Management Staff College Courses

• Organizational Leadership Course (OLC): The Intermediate Course (IC) has been renamed the OLC to reflect its emphasis on the Organizational Leadership Level, highlighting the “organizational/systems and processes perspective.”⁷
• Enterprise Leadership Course (ELC): The new ELC aligns with the Strategic Leadership Level. The ELC will be available starting the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 highlighting leadership and management at the enterprise level.
• Continuing Education for Senior Leaders–Strategic Leadership Course (CESL-SL): CESLSL is an executive seminar that aligns with the Strategic Leadership Level.
• Leader Development Course (LDC): The self-paced DL Organizational Leader Development Course (OLDC) has been renamed the LDC to reflect a more effective approach to ongoing leader development in today’s environment.

Table 1 above illustrates the CES courses, target audience, and course outcomes.

Of note, the CES modernization policy memo signed by the assistant secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs), in August 2024, established policy and guidance for single-source quota management by AMSC, the auto-enrollment of supervisors into grade-requisite CES courses, and the elimination of equivalent and constructive credit for CES courses.

Effective 1 October 2025, all new Army civilian supervisors will be auto-enrolled into their grade-requisite CES course. Furthermore, equivalent and constructive credit for CES course attendance is no longer available. Prior military service members in a civilian supervisory position will complete their grade requisite CES courses regardless of past Senior Service College (SSC) or other professional military education (PME) completion. Previously granted equivalent or constructive credits remain valid (grandfather clause). In addition, effective 1 October 2025, all CES quotas will be managed by AMSC and available Army-wide. All Army civilians are encouraged to apply; however, supervisors will continue to receive the highest priority.⁸

Course Exemptions

By providing clear guidelines, AMSC supports the professional development of the Army civilian workforce, while also recognizing the need to provide exemptions to students who meet the following criteria:

• GS-13 supervisors who completed or were granted equivalency/constructive credit for the previously named IC or AC prior to 1 October 2025 are not required to take the redesigned OLC.
• GS-13 supervisors who completed or were given equivalency/constructive credit for the AC prior to 1 October 2025 are not required to take the new ELC.
• GS-14 and GS-15 supervisors who completed or were granted equivalency/constructive credit for the AC are not required to take the new ELC.
• Civilians in grades GS-14 and GS-15 who completed or were granted equivalency/constructive credit for the AC prior to 1 October 2025 may apply for the CESL-SL Seminar.
• Civilians in grades GS-13 through GS-15 who completed or were granted equivalency/constructive credit for the AC to 1 October 2025 may apply for the ECTDP.

Prerequisite Changes for the ECTDP

The following updated prerequisites provide clarity on what CES courses must be completed to apply for the competitive opportunities offered through the ECTDP:

• Prerequisite changes for the ECTDP. Civilians in grades GS-10 through GS-13 (or equivalent) must complete the OLC or have received equivalency/ constructive credit for the IC or AC before applying to ECTDP.
• Civilians in grades GS-14 and GS-15 must complete the ELC or have received equivalency/constructive credit for the AC before applying to ECTDP.

Waivers for Higher Level CES Courses

In accordance with Army Regulation 350-1, Army Training and Leader Development, 4–15, student requests for exception to Army training policy must be submitted in memorandum format to the Talent Development Division, ACCMA. Civilian employees are not authorized to register for CES courses that are beyond the required GS level target course without an approved waiver.⁹ To obtain a grade waiver request, you must submit the following:

• Memorandum signed by the employee’s supervisor or a higher official in the chain of command. The memorandum must contain the organization’s letterhead, employee’s full name, current grade, DOD ID number, Army enterprise email, date that employee became an Army civilian, current title and position in organization, supervisory level (directorate, division, team), number of civilians supervised, previous CES leader development completed with date, justification for grade waiver, and point of contact for the action. It must be addressed to Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, 450 Army Pentagon, Washington, DC 20310–0450.
• Current resume
• Proof of previous CES course completion For consideration, each memorandum and supporting documentation must be emailed to ACCMA Talent Development at usarmy.belvoir.chra-accma.mbx.civilian-talent-development@army.mil with attention to Mr. Ison Zibowsky.

Conclusion

AMSC continues to deliver quality education in multiple modes at the point of need, educating over 40,000 students annually. As the Army adjusts to the ATI, AMSC is implementing significant changes to the CES, effective 1 October 2025. These updates will realign educational offerings, resulting in the discontinuation of certain courses and select virtual seminars. The transformations highlight AMSC’s commitment to ongoing leader development IAW ADP 6-22.

CES will introduce a reimagined OLC for GS-10 to GS-13 civilians and a new two-week ELC for GS- 14 and GS-15 civilians. The purpose of rebranding course names and content is to align them with established leadership frameworks and ensure they remain relevant in a changing environment.

During this period of transformation, AMSC’s overall goal is to continue providing an enhanced and effective learning experience for all Army civilians. The updated process through CHRTAS will facilitate easier registration and enrollment in CES courses, reinforcing the importance of lifelong learning and targeted leadership development within the Army.

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