Army MOS · Support
51Z Acquisition
Overview
An acquisition officer handles general acquisition matters that do not fall within a specific acquisition career field. The officer applies knowledge of the Concepts Based Requirements System, Life Cycle Systems Management Model, and Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Execution System to program and contract management.
Core Skills
- IT and systems acquisition management
- program and project management
- requirements analysis and JCIDS familiarity
- lifecycle systems management
- budgeting and cost analysis
- contract management and oversight
- vendor and stakeholder management
- risk management
- governance and compliance
- cross-functional leadership
Civilian Software & Tools
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- SAP software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft SharePoint
Civilian Career Paths
- Project Management
- Procurement
- IT Management
- Supply Chain Management
Training & Development
Getting Started
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM)
Career Growth
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM)
- Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM)
What the Work Involves
- Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
- Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
- Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
- Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
- Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
Related Occupations
- Procurement Clerks
- Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
- Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
- Logistics Analysts
Typical preparation for these civilian roles: a four-year degree or equivalent experience.
Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.
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