EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Civilian Guardian Jumpstart (CGJ) course, an innovative new program at Space Systems Command (SSC), formally launched with a class of 15 new-to-role civilian acquisition program managers hired since late July.
The program provides an accelerated introduction to SSC’s culture and mission context, serving as tailored preparation, connecting elements of organizational and functional onboarding and the 10-week Acquisition Initial Qualification Training (AIQT) course, which provides foundational knowledge, skills, practical experiences, space-specific scenarios, and experiential learning for new military and civilian acquirers to perform effectively in their first acquisition assignment.
“Entry-level civilian Acquisition Program Managers joining SSC arrive into a complex acquisition environment shaped by space-domain threats, rapidly evolving technologies, and SSC-specific organizational structures and processes,” said Laura Shindlebower, director, SSC’s FLDCOM Program Management Functional Office.
The new training program goes beyond existing foundational training to prepare new Program Managers to operate effectively within SSC’s mission context, culture, and integrated product team construct. SSC deliberately aimed to provide an accelerated onboarding and early workforce readiness opportunity to better ensure that tactical readiness for civilians is on par with that of military Officer Training Course (OTC) graduates.
As emphasized in the Chief of Space Operations Notice to Guardians (C‑NOTE #35, Equipping the Force, 19 May 2025), both operators and acquirers must develop a deep understanding of system performance, threats, mission requirements, and enterprise integration—recognizing that space operations demand more than a linear, handoff-driven approach.
"While some new civilian acquisition managers already have firsthand exposure to the Department of War—whether through military upbringing, family service, or prior civil service careers—for the vast majority, this course marks their introduction to a brand-new world," Shindlebower said. "Ultimately, it represents the first step toward a deeply rewarding and impactful career in support of the U.S. Department of War."
Two of the inaugural program participants, Angela Shvartsman, 21, and Isabelle Gonzalez, 22, both graduated from college this spring and are beginning their first jobs as acquisition program management specialists – Shvartsman with SYD 84 Missile Warning & Tracking (FORGE) and Gonzalez with SYD 80 (Vulcan.)
Shvartsman’s father worked for SSC in financial management and her sister works in contracting; Shvartsman herself had done internships with SSC in the financial management department in the past, so she had some background going into the CGJ program.
“I honestly thought I was going to do something finance related, but then, because of my communication major (with a second major in economics) I wasn’t sure because I am interested in so many different things,” Shvartsman said. “When I heard about the program management role, it clicked for me because you’re working with so many different people and you’re integrating a team.”
Gonzalez, however, had double-majored in marketing and entrepreneurship and thought she was going to go into advertising as a marketing strategist or account manager.
“I thought, ‘I am creative, I am strategic, I think I could succeed and bring some value in this area,’” Gonzalez said. “At the end of the day, I don’t want to sell products and services that people don’t need or things I don’t quite believe in. “A lot of what make me happy is rooted in service and helping people. When I found out I was going to get the opportunity to work on projects that clearly benefit the warfighter, that is the purpose that I was wanting in the work that I’ll be doing,” Gonzalez said.
The CGJ curriculum focuses on program manager responsibilities, practical application, SSC acquisition environment, leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and program office execution aligned to program manager competencies. In the future, the program will be expanded to include all acquisition interns (Contracting, Cyber, Engineering, Financial Management, Logistics, etc.) with a standardized cross-functional introduction to SSC, USSF, DoW acquisition, and acquisition career field fundamentals.
Incoming civilian employees ask, “how can they become contributing members to the Acquisition Program Teams on day-one?” Shindlebower said.
"Our goal is to provide that critical foundation in a classroom setting so they can build a deeper, more practical understanding of our operations," Shindlebower said. "While they may already recognize some of the terminology and programs, the true value of this course lies in the weeks they spend working closely with their peers. The relationships and professional networks they build here will support and carry them forward for many years to come."
Both Shvartsman and Gonzalez said that even after just two weeks in the program, they felt more knowledgeable about the Space Force, and more confident in their ability to do their jobs well. Meeting and having the opportunity to talk to various key leaders at SSC, as well as the close connections they’ve formed with the others in their cohort, have been particularly valuable, Shvartsman said.
“Having the opportunity for face time with senior leadership so early on is super impactful,” Shvartsman said. “It makes me feel a little bit more comfortable to start making those introductions with everyone, because a lot of them were emphasizing at the end of the day that they are just people and it’s ok ask them questions. I think the program has helped me feel more comfortable going into the actual role in the program office.”
"At the end of the day, CGJ is about empowering people,” Shindlebower said. “To outpace threats, we need agile, innovative thinkers who possess deep and adaptable expertise. We’re constantly addressing changes as part of acquisition reform, and we need workforce members who can adjust and be flexible at any given moment. When our newest teammates understand the mission, the organization, and their role within it, they can start making a difference much sooner."