National Defense Industrial Association

The National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is an association for the United States government and the defense industry. Based in Arlington, Virginia, NDIA was established in 1919 as a result of the inability of the defense industry to scale up the war effort during World War I. It connects government officials, military and industry professionals, and organizations that represent the branches of the armed forces, homeland security, and first responders. The NDIA publishes a magazine, the National Defense, and holds over 80 symposia a year.

History
The National Defense Industrial Association was established in 1919 as the Army Ordnance Association (AOA). Much of the military hardware used during the war was European-made with very little American production. At the end of the war, changes in the power structures across the world, such as the rise of communism in Russia and right-wing politics elsewhere in Europe, led to the United States establish an indigenous military policy. The AOA was established in 1919 to link the defense industry and US military. After the end of World War II, the AOA played a major role in preventing the US military from scaling down defense manufacturing, by its successful lobbying.

In 1997, the National Security Industrial Association (NSIA) merged with the American Defense Preparedness Association (ADPA), which formed after World War II to lobby for continued high levels of defence spending, and the new organization was renamed the National Defense Industrial Association.

Organization
The group has approximately 1,500 corporate members and over 45,000 individual and government members. Affiliated members include the Association for Enterprise Information (AFEI), the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA), the Precision Strike Association (PSA), and Women in Defense (WID). It connects government officials, military and industry professionals, and organizations that represent the branches of the armed forces, homeland security, and first responders. It has divisions and working groups covering several niche areas. Its members often use the organization to forge business contacts through networking and participating in national  and local events.

Logistics, policy, combat, and acquisition form the base for most symposia, over 80 are held annually. Defense professionals from the private industry, government, military and first responders from the public and private sectors attend these programs for information from subject matter experts and to make contacts in industry and government. About 25 exhibitions each year include defense-related industry and government exhibits. These events and exhibitions are designed to facilitate information sharing and networking opportunities.

The association publishes a magazine, the National Defense. Recently, they created a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Division, promoting educational opportunities for   youth to ensure a skilled technical work force, and   developing cutting-edge manufacturing techniques to support the military industry.

The Technical Information Division has responsibility for the NDIA configuration and data management (CDM) professional certification program. This  includes preparation training for certification, the administration of examinations, and the award of certifications. NDIA has established two CDM certification levels: Certified Configuration and Data Manager (CCDM) and Certified Configuration and Data Specialist (CCDS).

Chapters
, NDIA has 52 chapters across the United States.

Divisions
NDIA consists of 32 Divisions and seven Industrial Working Groups that aims to promote defense through access, influence and education.


 * Industrial Working Groups
 * Chemical Biological Defense Acquisition Initiatives Forum
 * Committee of Small Arms Producers
 * Industrial Committee of Ammunition Producers
 * Industrial Committee of Tank and Automotive Producers
 * Industrial Committee on Operational Test and Evaluation
 * Industrial Committee for Program Management
 * Industrial Committee on Biometrics