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Web-Based DoD Course Nears Completion

Online Corrosion Course Benefits DoD Acquisition Workforce

By Gretchen Jacobson

The DoD is working in conjunction with NACE International to develop a series of online basic corrosion courses designed primarily for acquisition personnel in all of the Services.

The first course—Corrosion 101—is general in nature, with the goal of making participants aware of the many corrosion concerns involved when they select materials, plan construction projects, and decide on the best and most cost-effective methods of protecting military assets over the long term.

The DoD's new online corrosion course will be presented through audio instruction, videos, photos, and animations.

"The intent of this program is to ensure that personnel involved in the acquisition process understand the impact of corrosion and the critical importance of corrosion prevention and control to increase troop readiness, reduce maintenance and replacement costs, and ensure safety for military personnel," said Dan Dunmire, head of the DoD Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office. "This course is part of our integrated program to promote corrosion awareness and improve corrosion control systems by using best engineering practices in all of the Services."

Cliff Johnson, NACE Director of Public Affairs, explained that the Corrosion Prevention Control Overview Web-Based Training program is specifically designed for DoD personnel and selected civilian contractors who perform work for the military.

"The courses are for program managers, acquisition logisticians, system engineers, facility engineers, and contracting personnel who will benefit from a fundamental understanding of the forms and effects of corrosion," he said. "Following the completion of Corrosion 101, we will develop two more courses focusing on the comprehension and application of corrosion control."

Completely Web-based, the first course is divided into six modules:

Introduction to Corrosion
Planning, Implementation, and Management
Corrosion Characteristics, Effects, and Treatment
Preventing Corrosion
Controlling Corrosion
Nonmetallic Material Degradation

Participants will learn the basics of corrosion through audio instruction, videos, photos, and animations as they work their way through the hour-long course. Upon completion, they will have an understanding of basic corrosion theory, facility and structure design issues that can accelerate or control corrosion, basic testing processes that determine the severity and extent of corrosion problems, and corrosion concerns with equipment such as tanks, ships, and aircraft. They will be familiar with the four basic technologies used to control and mitigate corrosion, which include cathodic protection, coatings and linings, chemical treatment, and materials selection and design. The economics of corrosion are covered as well.

The Corrosion Prevention Control Overview Web-Based Training program will be hosted by the Defense Acquisition University, which provides education and training, performance support, job-relevant applied research, and continuous learning opportunities to the DoD Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics workforce. Corrosion 101 is scheduled for completion in December 2006.