"Accelerate the Kill Chain"

Mission: Train highly skilled acquisition instructors and leaders in tactical and strategic knowledge to meet the operational needs of tomorrow’s multi‐domain battlespace 

Vision:   Enhance integration between acquisition, industry, and operational communities through instruction, collaboration, and innovation to accelerate the kill chain 

The Acquisition Instructor Course (AQIC) is the Department of the Air Force’s premier training ground for informed, connected thought leaders who are part of a larger network shaping the way the Acquisition community interacts with and supports the warfighter. As the Acquisition community’s equivalent institution to the United States Air Force Weapons School, AQIC is a highly selective, five-and-and-one-half month course based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for both Air Force and Space Force Acquisition officers and civilians. The AQIC schoolhouse maintains a strategic partnership with the USAFWS to create numerous integration opportunities for students and graduates, and its construct parallels the USAFWS curriculum methodology, requirements, rigor, and intent.

AQIC was established in 2019 under the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff’s direction to integrate with the USAFWS to accelerate the kill chain through constant acquirer and operator collaboration. The course employs an unconventional curriculum designed to build a cadre of graduates who bridge the divide between acquirers and operators, enhance workforce capability through instruction, and embrace a culture of innovation. In order to achieve its unique mission, AQIC’s curriculum was developed entirely from the ground-up. Some key aspects of the curriculum include:

• Cross-Functional Academics
• Operations Integration
• Intelligence Briefings
• Collaborative Case Study Exercises
• Debrief / Tactics, Techniques & Procedures (TTPs)
• Constructive Feedback
• Numerous Briefings
• Research Papers
• Sprints with Program Offices

Graduation requirements for AQIC include the completion of an academic research paper on acquisition-related topics and issues.

Recent Impactful Papers:

A Case for Enlisted Military Software Developers in the Software Directorate
Authors: Class 24B - Capt. Mark Gabreski (AFLCMC) and Capt. Zane Zylstra (SSC)

The paper documents the unique contributions of 1D7X1P enlisted airmen in delivering cost-effective, mission-critical solutions. The enlisted coder’s operational insight, ability to deploy alongside warfighters, and direct engagement with operators provides the DAF with unparalleled adaptability and responsiveness to evolving mission needs. The paper proposes the establishment of small, rapid development teams embedded across the Software Directorate as an optimal approach to maximize these airmen’s impact.

Optimizing Air Base Air Defense (ABAD) for the Great Power Competition
Authors: Class 24A - Capt. Stephen Phillips (AFLCMC) and Capt. Zachary Stead (AFRL)

In response to a request from within HAF/A5/7 DB, this paper proposed a new acquisition framework for ABAD systems under a single System Program Office that would streamline acquisition processes, integrate cutting-edge technologies, and enhance interoperability among defense systems.

The Impact of a Proliferated Space Architecture on the Launch Enterprise
Authors: Class 23B - Maj. Alexis Sanchez-Martinez (NRO) and Capt. Dennis Sieber (SSC)

In support of tactical space launch customers, this paper provides a tactical solution for Mission Directors on how to successfully manage launch risk through Tiered Mission Assurance (TMA) and the follow-on launch Phase 3 service contract in a way that strategically postures the U.S. for today’s contested ranges and future conflict.

These papers are available for review on the AQIC milSuite page at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/the-acquisition-instructor-course/content

For questions about the program or to submit a research paper topic for consideration, contact afmc.aqic.workflow@us.af.mil.

AQIC Graduates are:

• Skilled Tacticians: Highly capable professionals with extensive technical knowledge across Acquisition functional areas.
• Leaders: Courageous, selfless Airmen dedicated to developing and supporting others to enable Acquisition and Operations integration. Change agents who are a part of a robust ecosystem of influencers, able to leverage considerable resources to excel.
• Instructors: Force multipliers who raise the level of talent around them to provide relevant, timely capabilities.

An AQIC graduate will:

• Function as a strategic integrator, problem solver and advisor across portfolios, also capable of injecting into programs for targeted support
• Embody the 6 key graduate attributes to drive the Air Force and Space Force missions forward
• Provide formal & informal instruction to cross-functional Acquisition and Operational communities at the point of need
• Promote stakeholder communication and collaboration
• Facilitate the development of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to enable institutional learning/growth
• Participate in integration and strategic planning events as necessary. Assist with requirements development, identifying effective procurement processes and fund sources to meet user needs
• Support senior leader initiatives as necessary.

• 61X, 62E, and 63A, O-3/O-4, with between 5 to 10 years TAFCS at Course Start Date
• 64P and 65F/W, O-3, with between 4 to 8 years TAFCS at Course Start Date
• 13XX, 08XX, 1101, 1102, 0501, 1515, GS-12/13/NH-03/DR-2 (non-supervisory) with between 5 to 11 years of acquisition-coded experience at Course State Date

Additional Requirements:

• Nominees must possess a final TS/SCI security clearance by the course start date. Clearances must also remain valid through course end date.
• Nomination criteria (except security clearance) may be waived, subject to AFMC/A3T right-fit determination.