I am currently just a consultant. Anyway, I took it upon myself to cobble together an acquisition cert through the DAU, mostly. Over my career, I was blessed to be able to touch a number of diverse systems and life cycle points, from sustainment of Space and C3I, ICBMs, F-16s, to design-realization, test of systems like tube launched UAVs to Fuel Cell Locomotives. I think my most valuable experience was actually on the sustainment side doing DMSMS / parts obsolescence work. Made me learn hands on acquisition and supply chain management. It is in that arena where, I worked in formal and informal working groups to begin to streamline supply processes, and where I began to engage in policy...(ie officers trusted me to ask my opinion on loftier issues...then I got sucked in).
What about you...you always seem to understand a very diverse set of issues from refugees, security, to combat.