Armed Forces News

Selected as finalists will get a chance to make their pitches before a panel of top-level managers within DoD. Image: Terry Sze/Shutterstock.com

The Pentagon has cast a wide net for innovative ideas and suggestions anyone from the uniformed and civilian ranks would have to offer. Through Sept. 30, defense personnel are being encouraged to submit their suggestions during the first Talent Management: From the Ground Up Innovation Challenge. Leadership believes this new initiative will serve as a great opportunity for the ranks to demonstrate ingenuity and present tangible solutions that would improve workplaces.

“To remain the best fighting force in the world and effectively compete in today’s job marketplace, we must innovate the way we recruit, retain and develop top talent,” said Gilbert Cisneros, the Pentagon’s top civilian personnel and readiness chief. “We are working hard to solve today’s talent management challenges, and this challenge reinforces the need to tap into the full range of strengths and capabilities of our employees. By harnessing the tremendous talent and experiences of our military service members and civilian colleagues, we can bring forth new, innovative, and effective ideas tailored to our personnel.”

The initiative seeks ideas in three categories: recruiting and accessions; promotion and retention; and another called wild card, which would encompass a broad and unspecified range of suggestions.

Those selected as finalists will get a chance to make their pitches before a panel of top-level managers within DoD.

“We are always looking for new insights and ideas to evolve and transform the way we do things across the department. This first-ever Talent Management Innovation Challenge will bring forth innovative solutions from those on the ground to help solve the issues of today,” said Brynt Parmeter, the Pentagon’s chief talent-management officer. “I encourage both our military and civilian colleagues to bring forth their ideas and help us build a more inclusive and talented workforce in the months and years ahead.”

The initiative is open to all active-duty, Guard and reserve members, as well as civilians. Interested participants will have to create a Platform One account. Instructions are available online at https://www.innovatedaf.com/. Once on that site, look for the Air Force’s Guardian and Airmen Innovation Network platform. The url is https://gain.il4.afwerx.dso.mil/dod/dodtm2023/. Answers to questions are available by emailing osd.pentagon.ousd-p-r.mbx.dodtm2023@mail.mil.

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