Benefits of Six Sigma During or After Military Service

The Armed Forces have put the principles of continuous process improvement to work in all the branches, and it has especially embraced Six Sigma and Lean methodologies. U.S. military leaders began to use Lean and Six Sigma more than a decade ago to improve the quality and efficiency of national defense while minimizing costs.

The shift also has opened up opportunities for active-duty servicemembers and veterans to seek training and certification in Lean Six Sigma. The skills learned during the training can help improve operations in the military and help servicemembers after they transition into the civilian world.

What Is Six Sigma?

Organizations turn to the Six Sigma methodology to help make business processes more efficient and effective. Six Sigma focuses on identifying areas where variances from expected outcomes occurs and then uses a data-driven approach to identify the cause and find solutions.

One of the most-used techniques in Six Sigma is DMAIC, which stands for define, measure, analyze, improve and control. Used to analyze and improve existing processes, DMAIC allows project teams to define a problem, measure current results, analyze it to find the root causes of an issue, improve the process and control it in the future to maintain the benefits of the changes that are made.

Lean, which started as part of the Toyota Production System, focuses on eliminating waste in an operation. Originally developed for manufacturing, various industries have incorporated the tools and techniques of Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma.

Seeing the value in both, military leaders began using Six Sigma and Lean for process improvement in the Armed Forces.

Examples of Six Sigma in the Military

The military has applied Six Sigma on a broad scale, producing positive results. Devising and coordinating ways to meet the needs of various military outfits and organizations is not an easy task. There are a variety of factors that must be taken into consideration when allocating military resources and funds.

There are many ways in which the military differs from a traditional business. Business models that were designed for less complicated and variable situations may not suitable for the military.

Six Sigma strategies, however, have the flexibility to adjust to the unique requirements of the U.S. Department of Defense. By utilizing Six Sigma principles to minimize waste, military applications have been able to improve turnaround times, optimize inventories and improve overall readiness. 

Examples of projects that saved money are spread throughout the Armed Forces. For example, the Louisiana National Guard reported saving $370,000 annually in labor costs by implementing Lean. The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support used process improvement strategies to streamline the ordering and delivering of uniforms. In 2015 alone, the U.S. Army reported freeing up more than $1.1 billion through Lean and Six Sigma projects.

How Six Sigma Benefits Military Personnel

Six Sigma training is valuable to current servicemembers, as well as those transitioning out of the military who want a credential valuable in the corporate world. For the past decade, the Department of Defense has made process improvement and Lean Six Sigma “an essential tool for improving the operating effectiveness” for military organizations across a full range of “operational, administrative, science and technology, and support functions.”

The U.S. Army also features Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma certification prominently in its Army COOL program (COOL stands for Credentialing Opportunities On-Line). The Army lists a variety of reasons why earning a credential in an area such as Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma is important:

• Civilian credentialing can contribute to military career advances
• Employers may choose to hire employees only if they have certain credentials, or will pay those employees more
• Credentials can improve promotion prospects
• Credentialed servicemembers demonstrate their skills are on par with civilian peers.

Certain of the above benefits apply both to those currently serving and to those transitioning into civilian jobs.

Credentials may help enable a smooth transition into the civilian workforce. The Army notes that “credentials help you translate your military training and experience into something civilian employers can easily recognize.”

As of Sept. 2019, Lean Six Sigma certification was listed among the most popular credentials that Army personnel seek.

Villanova Online Lean Six Sigma Program and Courses

You can gain skills that are applicable during military service and in a civilian career by completing the Certificate in Lean Six Sigma program from Villanova University. Villanova offers courses in Lean Six Sigma, Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt 100% online, offering students convenience and flexibility, while teaching best practices for applying process improvement inside or outside an organization. 

In addition to the course offerings, Villanova administers Lean and Six Sigma certification exams in Lean Sensei, Green Belt, Black Belt and Master Black Belt* upon your successful completion of the associated course and required project. Earning a certification reflects your competency of the core concepts and applications of the associated course.

In addition, Villanova offers military savings to active-duty servicemembers, Reservists, Guardsmen and veterans, as well as military spouses and dependents. If you belong to any of these groups, you may be eligible to save 15% on any individual certificate course, upon verification of military or discharge status.**

*To be eligible for the Master Black Belt course and certification exam, candidates must complete the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt course as a prerequisite. If a candidate holds a Black Belt credential from another organization, this may be considered as a prerequisite with University approval.

**This reduction is valid off the standard tuition fee rate of the listed courses offered by Villanova University with online administration by Bisk. This reduction is not stackable with other reduction, and you may not use this reduction in conjunction with other reductions. Reduction is based on eligibility requirements and proof of service.

VA Benefit Eligibility: Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) to view which programs of study or courses are currently certified. Benefit certification depends upon your VA determined eligibility, enrollment status and certified program of study.

Information provided as to the availability and eligibility for military or veteran education assistance programs is for general informational use only. Please check with your Education Services Officer or local Department of Veterans Affairs for eligibility, benefit amount and application processes specific to your situation.

For additional resources and information, or to contact a member of our team, visit Villanova’s Office of Veterans and Military Service Members page here.