PEO Perspective: November 2020

AUSA
This was a banner year for PEO EIS participation in the annual Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual conference. Every October, AUSA provides an opportunity to meet with worldwide industry partners and Army leadership -- and, most importantly, our customers -- for the most up-to-date technology, guidance and planning.

Though the conference was virtual this year for the first time ever, PEO EIS principals were fully engaged, participating in:

TWO Warriors Corner events

ONE media roundtable

THREE media interviews

and 10 industry meetings!

We appreciate our industry partners and the trade media that cover these events. Industry plays a critical role in helping us to meet Army and DOD requirements, and rapidly provide Soldiers with the technology they need to meet their mission and return home safely. Meanwhile, the media informs and educates our community.

In case you missed them, here are a few PEO EIS story highlights from the week of AUSA:

• US Army’s defensive cyber tools office to deliver new systems in the next year
• 6 questions with the US Army’s enterprise IT boss
• This new tool for commanders aims to ID risky soldier behaviors and prevent problems
• U.S. Army experts say they plan to issue lucrative contracts soon for enterprise information systems

Make sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages to track all the latest news out of PEO EIS and across the Army, DOD and industry landscape.

UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS
We haven’t let up the pace this month as we gear up for the annual AFCEA Belvoir Industry Days (ABID) conference, November 17-19.

The Army is on a journey to modernize software and networks using data as a strategic asset, and PEO EIS is a critical partner in realizing these ambitious goals by partnering with industry to leverage innovation and talent.

The ABID program will be jam-packed with valuable insights and opportunities to connect with leaders across our portfolio. Among other topics this year, our team will talk about exploring ways to engage small business and improve our acquisition processes. We have been listening to you in our many engagements, and we are working to inform you early and more thoroughly of opportunities. Additionally, we know that part of our combined success relies on providing feedback early during the sources sought, so that we can incorporate changes and rapidly deliver superior capability.

Though ABID is virtual this year, the program will include dynamic speakers from across defense acquisition, with participation from PEO EIS speakers in a number of panels, breakouts and keynotes. Be sure to catch the keynote from Deputy Program Executive Officer Brendan Burke, and the panels featuring senior leaders from all six of the PEO EIS program management offices.

For the complete agenda, please visit AFCEA Belvoir’s event page, where you can also register to attend.

NOVEMBER OBSERVATIONS
It is a hallowed American tradition to honor our Veterans every year on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the battlefields of Europe fell silent after more than four years of fierce and intense fighting. The great courage of all of our Veterans is what shaped, defended and secured our country, then and now, and we owe Veterans a debt of gratitude.

In the past few years, the team here at PEO EIS began a Veterans Day Hero Wall tradition in our headquarters lobby to recognize workforce and family members, past and present, who have served or are serving our nation. This year, we are bringing the wall to you virtually with a video featuring some of these heroes, and a message about why they chose to serve. Reading some of their inspirational words might make you reflect on your own service.

Many of you, like me, may not have worn the uniform, but your work providing technology, capabilities and equipment to our Soldiers is a vitally important piece of the American story: one of resilience, innovation and bravery.

November is also Native American Heritage Month, and there are many virtual opportunities to explore, preserve and share the stories and heritage of indigenous peoples -- many of whom who have served in the U.S. Army with great honor, building a legacy of courage, professionalism and service. For further reading, I recommend visiting the Native American Heritage Month and the U.S. Army Center of Military History pages that explore the legacy of Native American service to our country.

This extraordinary year, with an ongoing pandemic that has changed our lives and many of our work practices, amid citizens raising their voices to demand justice and equality, I am reminded more than ever by this workforce and this community of the American spirit of perseverance and service.

It has been a year that has tested us, but what remains true -- as it has in other difficult times --is that we have the freedom and the obligation to use our voice and exercise our right to vote. We all play a role in shaping the nation that we want — it starts with each of us. Every American voice matters, and I hope you will VOTE on November 3.

As we close the month of November with Thanksgiving, I am reminded of how grateful I am for this team, our stakeholders, industry partners and community — you are all an integral part of the American story, and you help make Soldiers lives better.

Thank you for all you do, and please keep yourselves and your loved ones safe this holiday season.

Connecting the Army. Working for Soldiers.

Ross R. Guckert

Program Executive Officer Enterprise Information Systems