Figure 3. Acquisition MilestonesHowever, there are opportunities to increase the
focus on sustainability in the acquisition process much
earlier in the life cycle. Once again it starts with lead-
ership emphasis from the highest levels.
Joint Capability Integration and Development
System (JCIDS)
All of the opportunities thus far are a systematic
progression of integrating sustainability into the in-
stitutional processes starting with senior leader guid-
ance. However, a truly dynamic opportunity to move
sustainability forward in large steps exists through the
JCIDS process because of its direct link to major ac-
quisitions (DAU 2010). CJCSI 3170.01G describes the
objective of the JCIDS process is “to ensure the capa-
bilities required by the joint warfighter are identified
with their associated operational performance criteria
in order to successfully execute the missions assigned”
(OCJS 2009, A-2). Capability gaps are defined as re-
quiring either a materiel or a non-materiel solution.