The Defense Department recently marked a milestone in its commitment to foster healthy command climates and prevent harmful behaviors in the military community. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness unveiled a first-of-its-kind credential, the Department of Defense Credentialing Program for Prevention Personnel (D-CPPP), in July.
The D-CPPP is a required professional credential for members of the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce (IPPW). The IPPW was established in 2021 at the direction of the Secretary of Defense following key recommendations from the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military (IRC). The workforce consists of non-clinical specialists engaging in the integrated primary prevention of harmful behaviors, including suicide, sexual assault, harassment, domestic abuse, and child abuse. Members of the IPPW work with leaders to plan integrated primary prevention activities – policies, programs, and practices – and put them into action.
"Our service members' safety and wellbeing are the Department's highest priorities," said Dr. Andra Tharp, Senior Prevention Advisor for the Department of Defense's Office of Force Resiliency. "The D-CPPP credential establishes a culture of continuous learning and ensures those charged with supporting prevention efforts are held to the same professional standard across the military."
The D-CPPP is the only credential of its kind and signifies an individual is qualified to support the unique primary prevention needs of the military community. National Guard Bureau Integrated Primary Prevention Branch Deputy Army Maj. Emily Vernon is the first recipient of the D-CPPP credential. "The credential adds professionalism to the workforce because it provides standards to meet and enforces professional development," said Vernon.
Vernon has been with the National Guard for 19 years and just surpassed one year as a member of the IPPW. Of the five levels of the credentialing program, Vernon obtained the highest tier (Level 5), indicating completion of Department-approved prevention training, experience in a military setting, and commitment to 30 hours of continuous education annually.
The Department is taking a research-informed approach at all levels of integrated primary prevention, from the overall strategies down to the prevention activities at individual installations. The credential is tailored to equip the workforce to operate at these different levels. Vernon's position at the National Guard Bureau is at the strategic tier of the Prevention Workforce Model, meaning she is tasked with guiding policies that are supported by research and carried out by prevention staff at the operational and tactical levels. "We are overseeing the credentialling of over 200 IPPW civilians this year in the National Guard, and so I wanted to attain my credential first before advising others on the process."
"Prevention science keeps evolving," said Tharp. "Our workforce needs to stay on the cutting edge, and the continuous education the D-CPPP credential requires allows us to do that."
The D-CPPP credential satisfies two IRC recommendations approved by the Secretary of Defense: the development of a professional credential for the prevention workforce and the requirement to professionalize and strengthen the workforce itself. The Department leveraged these recommendations, along with best practices in prevention science, to launch the credential, which includes training and continuing education requirements to promote a consistent and qualified IPPW across all military installations.
"The credential is just the beginning," said Vernon. "It motivates you to continue to learn, ultimately deepening our role and knowledge of prevention."
