National Defense Industrial Association

National Defense Industrial Association
Abbreviation NDIA
Motto Strength through Industry and Technology
Formation 1919
Type Voluntary association
Purpose Promote US national security
Headquarters Arlington, Virginia
Location
Region served
United States
Membership
Corporate, Individual and Life
President
 Lawrence P. Farrell Jr.
Affiliations Association For Enterprise Integration (AFEI)
National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA)
Precision Strike Association (PSA)
Women in Defense (WID)
Staff
75
Website www.ndia.org

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is an association for the United States government and the defense industry.[1][2][3] Based in Arlington, Virginia, NDIA was established in 1919 as a result of the inability of the defense industry to scale up the war effort during World War I. It connects government officials, military and industry professionals, and organizations that represent the branches of the armed forces, homeland security, and first responders. The NDIA publishes a magazine, the National Defense, and holds over 80 symposia a year.

History

The National Defense Industrial Association was established in 1968 as the Army Ordnance Association (AOA). Much of the military hardware used during the war was European-made with very little American production. At the end of the war, changes in the power structures across the world, such as the rise of communism in Russia and right-wing politics elsewhere in Europe, led to the United States establish an indigenous military policy. The AOA was established in 1919 to link the defense industry and US military. After the end of World War II, the AOA played a major role in preventing the US military from scaling down defense manufacturing, by its successful lobbying.[4]

In 1997, the National Security Industrial Association (NSIA) merged with the American Defense Preparedness Association (ADPA), which formed after World War II to lobby for continued high levels of defence spending,[5] and the new organization was renamed the National Defense Industrial Association.

Organization

The group has approximately 1,500 corporate members and over 45,000 individual and government members. Affiliated members include the Association for Enterprise Information (AFEI), the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA), the Precision Strike Association (PSA), and Women in Defense (WID). It connects government officials, military and industry professionals, and organizations that represent the branches of the armed forces, homeland security, and first responders. It has divisions and working groups covering several niche areas. Its members often use the organization to forge business contacts through networking and participating in national and local events.

Logistics, policy, combat, and acquisition form the base for most symposia, over 80 are held annually. Defense professionals from the private industry, government, military and first responders from the public and private sectors attend these programs for information from subject matter experts and to make contacts in industry and government. About 25 exhibitions each year include defense-related industry and government exhibits. These events and exhibitions are designed to facilitate information sharing and networking opportunities.

The association publishes a magazine, the National Defense. Recently, they created a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Division, promoting educational opportunities for youth to ensure a skilled technical work force, and developing cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to support the military industry.[4]

The Technical Information Division has responsibility for the NDIA configuration and data management (CDM) professional certification program. This includes preparation training for certification, the administration of examinations, and the award of certifications. NDIA has established two CDM certification levels: Certified Configuration and Data Manager (CCDM) and Certified Configuration and Data Specialist (CCDS).

Chapters

As of 2009, NDIA has 52 chapters across the United States.[6]

Divisions

NDIA consists of 32 Divisions and seven Industrial Working Groups that aims to promote defense through access, influence and education.[7]

Divisions
Armaments Ballistics Bomb & Warhead Chemical Biological Defense
Combat Survivability Combat Vehicles Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Surveillance, Intelligence and Reconnaissance Environment and Energy
Expeditionary Warfare Government Policy Advisory Health Affairs Homeland Security
International Legislative Information Logistics Manufacturing
Missile Defense Munitions Technology Procurement Robotics
Science and Engineering Technology Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce Small Business Space
Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict Strike, Land Attack, and Air Defense Systems Engineering Tactical Wheeled Vehicles
Targets, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, & Systems Range Operations Technical Information Test and Evaluation Undersea Warfare
Industrial Working Groups

See also

References

  1. ↑ Dao, James (2001-09-02). "Dogfight for Dollars On Capitol Hill". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2009-07-07. a trade group that represents 900 military contractors
  2. ↑ Appelbaum, Richard P; William I. Robinson (2005). Critical globalization studies. Routledge. p. 146. ISBN 0-415-94961-0. The main military manufacturers' organization, National Defense Industrial Association, has 9000 corporate affiliates and 36000 individual members with no foreign membership. The association maintains close coordination with the DOD functioning through thirty-four committees, each with direct access to and a working relationship with the military. Divided up amongst these contactors is the largest single slice of the federal government budget. Current military spending has hit $383 billion with $62 billion for procurement and $51 billion in research and development.
  3. ↑ Congressional Quarterly, v.63, nos. 1-9. Times Publishing Company. p. 10. The Aerospace Industries Association and the National Defense Industrial Association are the two biggest industry lobbyists.
  4. 1 2 Farrell Jr., Lawrence P. "NDIA Expands Opportunities for Defense Professionals". Trade and Industry Development. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  5. ↑ American Defense Preparedness Association, The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com.
  6. ↑ "NDIA Chapter Presidents". National Defense Industrial Association. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  7. ↑ "Divisions". National Defense Industrial Association. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
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