Cyber Rotational Programs

Cyber Workforce Rotation Programs

We are thrilled to announce the upcoming 2025-2026 cycle for our cyber workforce rotation programs! The DoW offers two cyber- and information technology-focused rotation programs: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program (FRCWP) and the Department of Defense (DoW) Cyber and Information Technology Exchange Program (CITEP). These programs are designed to develop and retain the cyber talent necessary to maintain a strong defense posture and effectively defend against enemies foreign and domestic.

Cyber Workforce Rotation Programs
Sponsor Organization	Program	Overview
	Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program (FRCWP)	Provides opportunities for information technology (IT) and cyber civilian personnel to participate in rotational assignments across the Federal Government
	DoW Cyber and Information Technology Exchange Program (CITEP)	Provides opportunities for GS-11 and above (or equivalent) IT and cyber DoW civilians and private sector employees to participate in rotational assignments between the two sectors

Note: The DoW CITEP is the cyber and information technology component of the Public Private Talent Exchange Program.

Key Dates and Phases for the 2025-2026 Cycle

Host a Rotation

If you are interested in hosting a rotation, please submit the Cyber Workforce Rotation Program Opportunity Listing Form to list your cyber rotation opportunities on this page by February 9, 2026.

Available Opportunities

The application window is now open through April 24, 2026!

Click here to view the rotational opportunities
Click here to apply

Participation Benefits

Why participate? Participating in cyber rotational programs unlocks a multitude of benefits for organizations and individuals alike. The following details some key benefits from each perspective, highlighting its mutual value:

For Organizations:

Develop and Retain your Cyber Talent: Cultivate cyber experts through rotations, driving growth, engagement, and a learning culture that attracts and retains top-tier professionals.
Close Skill Gaps: Create immersive learning experiences where employees acquire and apply cutting-edge cyber skills, fostering a collaborative environment where their expertise elevates the entire team's capabilities.
Create a Competitive Edge: Equip cyber workforce professionals with the flexibility, agility, and resilience required to quickly respond to the rapidly evolving cyber environment.
Foster Cross-organization Partnership and Innovation: Build collaborative networks by sharing cyber best practices, improving understanding of cross-organizational cyber operations and challenges, and experiencing a diverse range of organization’s processes.
Support Small Businesses: The DoW CITEP is committed to ensuring at least 20% of participants are from small cyber and IT businesses.

For Participants:

Develop and Diversify Cyber and IT Skills: Master new skills by exploring environments outside of your current area of expertise or strengthen your existing skills.
Accelerate Career Growth: Tailorized experiences offering a structured yet flexible pathway to achieve your unique professional development goals.
Expand your Network: Seek connections and build relationships with cyber professionals.
Exploration of New Environments: Gain insight into the culture and practices of another organization within an external federal or industry organization.

How to Participate

Ready to participate in a cyber rotational program? The following instructions outline the key steps for both the organization and the participant, providing a clear roadmap for engagement:

For Industry Partners, DoW Components, and Federal Partners:

Identify eligible positions or set of duties for rotation.
Submit the Cyber Workforce Rotation Program Opportunity Listing Form to list your cyber rotation opportunities* on this page (See Available Opportunities section).
Assess applications and create a preferred candidate list against pre-established criteria.
DoW CIO will use organizations' preferences to notify applicants of selection status
DoW CIO will provide an Opportunity Acceptance Letter to selected applicants.
Once the letter is signed, review and sign a Memorandum of Understanding/ Three-Party Agreement before the start of the rotation.
Provide instruction, support, mentorship, and feedback throughout participant’s rotation opportunity.
Evaluates participant’s rotation performance in coordination with the participant’s home supervisor.
At end of rotation, participant vacates the position and returns to their home organization.

*For DoW Components Only: DoW Components operate under a quota system (detailed below) that requires a minimum number of both cyber rotation positions offered and employees participating from each component.

DoW Component Quota System
DoW Component	Quota
U.S Department of the Army	5
U.S Department of the Navy/ U.S Marine Corps	5
U.S Department of the Air Force (to include Space Force)	5
Office of the Secretary of Defense, Defense Agencies, and Field Activities	5

Note: The quota of 5 applies to both a minimum of 5 participating employees and a minimum of 5 available rotation opportunities. This quota can be used to support either or both programs. Matching may occur to aid in agencies meeting quota requirements.

For Employees:

Review program eligibility and qualification requirements for participation.
Gain approval from direct supervisor to apply for and serve in rotations.
Review cyber rotation opportunities on this page (See Available Opportunities section).
Submit a unique application for each rotation opportunity of interest during the open cycle period.
Upon selection into a rotation, review and sign an Opportunity Acceptance Letter Once signed, review and sign a Memorandum of Understanding /Three-Party Agreement before the start of the rotation.
During the rotation, perform rotational duties as assigned with host supervisory instruction, support, mentorship, and feedback, and receive performance evaluation from host and home supervisors.
At end of rotation, return to original position at their home organization and conduct a self-assessment and program evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What authority establishes these programs?

The DoW CITEP is authorized by S.1123 – National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 117th Congress (2021-2022). Upon expiration of this authority, the DoW CITEP will be fully merged under the Public-Private Talent Exchange’s authority, as articulated in Section 1599g of title 10, U.S.C.

The FRCWP is authorized by the FRCWP Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-149). This law expires in June 2027, unless extended.

How are these authorities used?

These authorities provide that federal and industry organizations may, with a formal agreement between organizations and the consent of the employee, arrange for the temporary assignment of an employee to an external organization.

Who does these authorities apply to?

These authorities applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of Inspector General of the DoW, the Defense Agencies, the DoW Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoW (herein referred to collectively as “DoW Components”) and the broader federal government.

They also apply to for-profit and nonprofit organizations that are owned, controlled, and managed by private individuals or enterprises within the United States (herein referred to collectively as the “private sector”).

Does the DoDI 1000.17 and DoDI 1100.23 apply to these programs?

No, DoDIs 1000.17 and 1100.23 do not apply. DoW employees will be considered to be on detail during the period of assignment.

Is this a one-for-one exchange?

Not necessarily. While the placement of an employee in a rotational opportunity does not guarantee backfill support for the employee’s position, organizations can collaborate with program partners to arrange a reciprocal swap.

Who may be considered for these rotation opportunities?

The DoW CITEP is open to DoW civilian and industry employees at the General Schedule grade 11 (or equivalent) level and above working in the cyber or IT field. To determine industry employee level equivalency, participants must possess the experience, knowledge, and skills required for the exchange opportunity.

The FRCWP is open to all federal civilian employees working in the cyber or IT field.

What is the duration of these rotation opportunities, and can it be extended?

DoW CITEP rotations range from 3 to 12 months with the flexibility to extend in 3 month increments without exceeding 2 years. Extensions beyond 2 years and up to a total of 4 years may be made to meet critical mission or program requirements. In no case may an assignment exceed a total of 4 years.

FRCWP rotations range from 6 to 12 months, with a possible 2-month extension, up to a maximum of 14 months.

An assignment may, at any time and for any reason, be terminated. Where possible, the party terminating the assignment prior to the agreed upon end date should provide 30 days advance written notice to the other party along with a statement of reasons.

What agreement is required to initiate a rotation?

The home organization, host organization, and the employee must sign a Three-Party Agreement (if participating in the DoW CITEP) or a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) (if participating in the FRCWP) which describes the rights, responsibilities and other terms of the agreement.

Federal employees may complete either a Confidential or Public Financial Disclosure Report, whichever applies; a continued service obligation agreement; ethics training in accordance with the Office of Government Ethics regulations; and all other applicable training requirements prior to the implementation of the agreement.

Private-sector employees must complete either a Confidential or Public Financial Disclosure Report, whichever applies; a disqualification statement prohibiting the private-sector employee from working on matters related to their private-sector organization; and ethics training in accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations prior to the implementation of the agreement.

Who should sign as my organization’s authorized approving official for the MOA/Three-Party Agreement?

Organizations can decide at what supervisory level is required to approve rotation agreements based on their chain-of-command structure.

Can excepted service employees participate in a rotation in a competitive service organization?

The DoW gained approval from OPM through a delegated agreement to detail excepted service employees to competitive service positions under 5 CFR 300.301(c). The purpose of the delegation is to allow the detail of excepted service employees to the competitive service positions pursuant to the FRCWP authorized under P.L. 117-149.

Who pays the participant’s salary while on a rotation?

DoW CITEP and FRCWP participants will continue to receive pay and benefits from their home organization and will not receive pay or benefits from the receiving organization. Travel and training expenses during the assignment are usually covered by the home organization but there is flexibility for the host organization to cover those expenses if necessary. Such an agreement between host and home organizations should be discussed in advance of signing the rotation agreement.

What service obligation is required of participants after an assignment has been completed?

Federal employee participants will serve in their respective home organization for a period equal to the length of their rotation, including any extensions. Private sector organizations will determine the continued service requirements for their employees who participate in the DoW CITEP.

How can conflicts of interest be managed for participants?

Ensuring protective or exact language is utilized in the Memorandum of Understanding/ Three-Party Agreement, is one way to manage conflicts of interest after identifying and mitigating the possible conflict. Additionally, during the rotation in-take process when a possible conflict is identified, measures should be taken to match the participant with a rotation opportunity that will negate any possible conflicts.

Questions?

For further information about program participation or to request a meeting, please contact osd.mc-alex.dod-cio.mbx.cyber-rotation-programs@mail.mil.