• Maximizing ROI for Taxpayers: We prioritize a performance-driven culture to ensure every dollar spent delivers measurable returns. 

• Championing Meritocracy: By nurturing the skills and talents of our leaders and supervisors, we advocation for a system where merit prevails. 

• Cultivation Accountability: We develop leaders who embrace a streamlined workforce, holding themselves and their teams to the highest readiness standards. 

• Upholding Constitutional Values: Our unwavering dedication to the Constitution guides every decision and action. 

Research 

CLDS faculty also serve as a research arm for the DAF regarding DAF civilian concepts. Some of our larger contributions include: 

• Published Mission Essential: Civilian Airmen and the United States Air Force
  • ​This book, researched and written by CLDS adjunct faculty Dr. Anthony Christopher Cain, focuses on home government institutions, federal civil servants and the Air Force partner to accomplish the AF mission. This work places the evolution of the Air Force's civilian workforce squarely in the context of the evolution of airpower. The book posits that, to accelerate the Air Force's ability to respond to the wide range of national security threats, the Service must leverage the potential of Civilian Airmen who currently represent nearly one-third of the Total Force footprint. 
  • The book represents a needed source for educating Civilian Airmen about the history of their contribution, as research and resources on the topic are currently scarce. 
  • To view of download, visit: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CLDS/documents/Mission%20Essential_Full%20layout_8_2.pdf?ver=9CM6-Nh_QhwQzyGUbjjOew%3d%3d 
• Developing Mission-Centered Leadership philosophy
  • ​This line of research represents a needed critical shift in leadership philosophy within the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to civilian leaders, advocating for a transition from traditional collaborative management to a more agile and results-orientated approach. 
  • Mission-Drive Leadership prioritizes agility, accountability, and mission-centric results to meet 21st-century security challenges. This model leverages DAF Mission Command principles and empowers supervisors to build more effective workforce. 
  • Leadership book: Currently in development
     

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    Fulfilling Legal Requirements

 CLDS provides a comprehensive and mandatory program that fulfills US legal requirements and DAF policy requirements for management succession and systematic training and development of supervisors and managers within the Department of the Air Force.

CLDS is firmly grounded in the following legal mandates: 

• 5 CFR 412.202: "All agencies must provide for the development of individuals in supervisory, managerial and executive positions, as well as individuals who the agency indentifies as potential candidates for those positions, based on the agencies' succession plans." and 5 U.S. Code 9902 (d): "The Secretary shall develop...a program to provide training to supervisors...at least once every 3 years"
• 5 CFR 412.201: "The agency...must develop a comprehensive management succession program, based on the agency's workforce succession plans, to fill agency supervisory and managerial positions...The focus of the program should be to develop managers as well as strengthen organizational capability, and to ensure an adequate number of well-prepared and qualified candidates for leadership positions."

Policy Considerations:

• DoDI 1400.25 v410, section 3h: Requires that each service offer service-specific training, to inlcude new employee orientation and managerial supervisory training. 
• FY 25-26 DAF Human Capital Operating Plan 2.1.6.1 CLDS is the sole DAF provider for required supervisory/managerial development for all DAF civilians that is reported by law to Congress annually

CLDS fulfills these legal and policy requirements by offering: DAF New Employee Orientation, New Supervisor Course, Experienced Supervisor Course, New Manager Course, Experienced Manager Course and the Civilian Associate Degree Program.