New Defense Civilian Training Program Launches at UMD
8-week project-based summer internship
May 2026
The Acquisition Innovation Research Center (AIRC), under the sponsorship of the Office of the Undersecretary of War for Acquisition & Sustainment, has launched the Acquisition Talent Base (ATB) Program. The Department of War (DoW) acquisition enterprise depends on a civilian workforce prepared with the technical, analytical, and leadership skills to meet emerging and increasingly complex demands. The purpose of ATB is to bridge the gap between the next generation of talent and the DoW acquisition workforce. ATB prepares the next generation of civilian acquisition talent with the competencies DoW needs to meet evolving threats.
Progam Partners
The ATB Program has partnered with the University of Maryland and a host of DoW organizations to include: U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in Patuxent River, Maryland; U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Lab (ARL), Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) in Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD; U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Army Software & Innovation Center (ASIC) and Integrated Logistics Support Center (ILSC) in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. The UMD students selected for this program are committing to participate in a one-year development program with a pathway to employment as a DoW civilian.
Program Overview
May 26 – June 5, 2026
DCTC Development Intensive #1
Virtual & in-person (Washington D.C.)
June 8 – July 31, 2026
8-week summer internship
January 2027
DCTC Development Intensive #2
Virtual & in-person (Washington D.C.)
Summer 2027
Pathway to DOW employment
Full-time opportunity
Faculty Director
Larry B. Rentz, Sr. has held positions at the Pentagon, U.S. Department of Education, and University of Maryland, where he was a Professor of Military Science & Leadership in the Army ROTC program. He has a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville and a Master of Strategic Studies from Air University.
Across service in government, military leadership, academic program development, and international operations, Larry has worked to expand access to leadership opportunities, strengthen programs that prepare others for meaningful work, and support initiatives that connect education with real-world impact at the local, national, and global levels.
Contact
Please direct questions to Jackie Kautzer, Director of Administration, Office of Undergraduate Studies.
Cohort 27
From left to right, back row: Larry Rentz, Daniel Chon, Shiv Patel, Carter Boswell, James Veitch, Dorian Mkam, Ethan Stein, Dwight Stephens, Mame Lo
Front row: Aaron Atayan, Shaunn Pavelik, Tamunosaki Danagogo, Emma Cho, Jenna Amrhein, Fechi Iwudyke