Steven Hilkowitz
Adjunct Professor
“While there will be specific bits of knowledge necessary for any occupation/subject, the main issue is to develop the ability to discern the facts, place them in an appropriate framework and use this knowledge to make a decision. I continually use the mantra that whatever you are working on, it is an art and not a science.”
Degrees Held:
- Graduate, Defense Leadership and Management Program (DLAMP) – Department of Defense, 2005
- JD – Temple University School of Law, 1974
- M.S. in National Security Strategy – National War College of the National Defense University, 2001
- B.S. in Business/Political Science – Truman State University, 1970
Career Highlights:
Awards:
- Joint Civilian Service Achievement Award, 2002
- Joint Staff Action Officer of the Quarter, 2002
- DLA Meritorious Civilian Service Award, 2000
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award for performance during the Bosnia deployment, 1996
- Federal Executive Board Silver Medalist, 1996
- NPR Hammer Award, 1995
Publications:
- Hilkowitz, Steven B., “Contractors on the Battlefield: An Overview of Department of Defense Contracting Issues,” Proceedings of the American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry 2005 Annual meeting, April 2005.
- Hilkowitz, Steven B., “Contractors on the Battlefield: A Danger for Both Contractor and Government,” Contract Management, October 2004.
- Hilkowitz, Steven B. and Drew D. Jeter, “Strategic Analysis: Anwar Sadat and the 1973 October War,” National War College, 2002.
Agency Directives Authored:
- Defense Supply Center Philadelphia Command Policy Statement 52, December 12, 2005, “Policy Guidelines and Procedures for Requesting Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Status for Contractor Employees”
- Defense Federal Acquisition Supplement 252.225-7040, June 6, 2005, “Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany U.S. Armed Forces Deployed Outside the United States” (part of a team that prepared and reviewed the regulation)
- Department of Defense Instruction 3020.41, October 3, 2005, “Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the U.S. Armed Forces” (part of a team that prepared and reviewed the instruction)
- Defense Logistics Agency Guiding Principles of Acquisition, Subpart 25.801-P, 17 December 2004, “Requesting Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Status for Contractor Employees”
- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction 2430.01A, 6 June 2002, “Operational Support of High Seas Driftnet Fisheries Enforcement”
What do you want students to take away from your classes? What do you want them to learn?
To think for themselves. While there will be specific bits of knowledge necessary for any occupation/subject, the main issue is to develop the ability to discern the facts, place them in an appropriate framework and use this knowledge to make a decision. I continually use the mantra that whatever you are working on, it is an art and not a science.
What qualities make someone particularly successful in the profession in which you teach?
The ability to react to different situations in a creative manner. Nothing is black and white, even in technical areas. You need to keep informed, avoid groupthink, and balance the benefits/dangers of your possible actions.
Why did you start teaching?
Throughout my career in the Department of Defense, I’ve taught specialized courses. I found that I really enjoyed teaching and that I was fairly good at it. Additionally, during my time at the National War College, I developed a healthy respect for my professors, in both their knowledge and ability to pass that knowledge on to their students. I decided that upon my retirement, I would also like to do that.
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
There is no one book. You need to read a variety of viewpoints, topics and subjects to get a broad view of the world and the issues within it.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students may not know.
I began working with computers before there were personal computers, and all the programming was done via punch cards. We have come a long way in a short time, and you should expect that to continue during your career.