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David Erickson Retires as Senior Program Analyst at OSD

Veteran Analyst Awarded Defense Civilian Career Service Award

By Cynthia Greenwood

David Erikson Retires as Senior Program Analyst at OSD

David Erickson

David Erickson retired on March 31 as Senior Program Analyst in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD/A,T,&L).

On March 28 he received the Office of the Secretary of Defense Civilian Career Service Award at a ceremony honoring him for 40 years of dedicated government service.

Presenting the award, James Finley, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology), noted, "Mr. Erickson's numerous accomplishments had a significant impact on defense savings. The distinctive accomplishments of Mr. Erickson reflect great credit upon himself, the Office of the Under Secretary of USD/A,T,&L, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD)."

During the ceremony, Erickson was also recognized for leading a number of initiatives aimed at reducing ownership costs, while working with the OSD Systems and Software Engineering Staff.

For 18 years Erickson has worked on various staffs within OSD. Most recently, as a Senior Program Analyst from January 2005 to March 2008, he worked as a Program Analyst for the Department of Defense Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office. In that position, he contributed to DoD's landmark Cost of Corrosion study, which states that DoD currently spends more than $13.5 billion each year to resolve corrosion in fielded equipment. Based on the study result, Erickson initiated an effort to define the appropriate investment strategy for the military services.

"Erickson effectively played the devil's advocate by challenging the cost of corrosion baseline study methodology, ensuring that the process was fully vetted internally."

"During the Cost of Corrosion study, David exercised due diligence alongside the Metrics, Impact, and Sustainment Committee who worked on behalf of the DoD Corrosion Office," said Daniel J. Dunmire, leader of the Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office. "He effectively played the devil's advocate by challenging the cost of corrosion baseline study methodology, ensuring that the process was fully vetted internally. His efforts ensured the success of the study throughout multiple phases."

Additionally, Erickson led efforts to expand the DoD corrosion program to include international cooperation. Specifically, he initiated cooperative discussions with the Australian Defense Science and Technology Office (DSTO). "David Erickson drove the opening of dialogue with the Australian Defense Science & Technology Office, to begin addressing similar corrosion problems that were common between platforms in the U.S. and Australian Defense Forces," said Cliff Johnson, Director of Public Affairs at NACE International.

"Understanding the role of the technical societies, David worked to develop a strong link between the U.S. DoD Corrosion Prevention Organization, the Australian DSTO, NACE, and the Australasian Corrosion Association, in an effort to reduce the burden of corrosion. His leadership and vision have been a vital part of the internationalization of the corrosion effort," Johnson added.

In addition to supporting the DoD corrosion program, Erickson also managed the Defense Department's $25 million Reduction in Total Ownership Cost program, which is producing a return on investment of 91:1 and has saved the department approximately $4.6 billion.

"Understanding the role of the technical societies, David Erickson worked to develop a strong link between the U.S. DoD Corrosion Prevention Organization, the Australian DSTO, NACE, and the Australasian Corrosion Association, in an effort to reduce the burden of corrosion. His leadership and vision have been a vital part of the internationalization of the corrosion effort."

Previously, during his tenure at USD/A,T,&L, Erickson oversaw the portfolio review process of 75 major Defense acquisition programs; he oversaw the development of Service acquisition reports for Congress; he also structured Army ground programs, unmanned systems, Marine Corps air systems, standoff weapons, and sensor systems for Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) program review and approval. Erickson also established and managed the Coalition Warfare Program; managed international agreement negotiations and approval; coordinated with U.S. allies to develop long-term armaments cooperation plans for technology and system development; and worked on defense trade issues with the U.S. Department of Commerce and served as a DoD delegate to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative advisory committee on aerospace trade.

At the beginning of his service within OSD, he worked for the Office of the Comptroller for three years. There he chaired the OSD/Office of Management and Budget review process; monitored Air Force Research and Development account apportionment, reprogramming, and execution; and monitored House and Senate Authorization and Appropriations Committee activities.

Before joining OSD in 1992, Erickson served on the House Armed Services Committee Research and Development subcommittee as a staff member addressing policy and issues related to research and development programs. Prior to that, he was employed for seven years as a technical advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. There he performed requirements analysis and directed studies of the C3 and EW systems. Before that, he conducted risk analysis and systems engineering at the Naval Material Command Headquarters for the C-3I and for missiles and ships. Before that post, he served in the Program Management Office, directing electronic warfare systems. Prior to that, he served as a laboratory scientist and engineer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center.

Erickson wrote and co-authored numerous publications, studies, and policy papers. In preparing these publications he worked with the Defense Science Board, Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), the Defense Intelligence Agency, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.