LASTING IMPACT
Albert Einstein once said, “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.” Tis resonated with Christopher “Michael” Upton. So he custom- ized it a bit and came up with a quote of his own: “Try not to focus on leading a life of success, but rather leading a life of significance.” Something he has done and contin- ues to do on a daily basis.
“I apply this to work—and home—by holding onto and living out my values to the best of my ability. I try to focus my thoughts and actions each day toward leaving a lasting impact that goes beyond me, focusing on others and living a life of purpose,” he said.
CHRISTOPHER ‘MICHAEL’ UPTON
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, Ground Vehicle Systems Center (Post-Senior Service College Fellowship broadening assignment)
TITLE: Division chief, systems engineering planning and management
YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 23 YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 10
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Advanced in program management, Foundational in engi- neering and technical management
EDUCATION: MBA, Lawrence Technological University, B.S. in engineering management, United States Military Academy, West Point
AWARDS: Army Engineer Association Bronze de Fleury Medal (2021), Department of the Army Meritorious Civilian Service Award (2021), Department of the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal (2016), Army Superior Unit Award (Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support 2014), Meritorious Service Medal (2001)
Life lessons and experience have greatly weighed into Upton’s “significance” versus “success” viewpoint. “I have learned several life lessons that are important, making it hard to prioritize just one,” he continued. You have to “meet people where they are at, not where you want them to be, retain a learning mindset, learn from successes and failures, be consistent—especially in who you are, diversity of thought is important— and last but not least, Army acquisition is a team sport; we have to capitalize on each other’s strengths.”
Upton is employed by the Program Executive Office for Combat Support and Combat Service Support (PEO CS&CSS), but is currently serving on a broadening assignment as a division chief within the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s (DEVCOM), Ground Vehicle Systems Center’s Systems Engineering Directorate. He brings a program management perspective to the organization, while learning about early innovation adoption for technology integration and transition to product managers and the Army’s ground systems. “Two of my immediate focus areas are the analysis of applying systems engineering across [Detroit Arsenal] and the development of a synchro- nized digital engineering strategy for the organization, he said. “Tese initiatives will result in the organization’s ability to develop, field and sustain the world’s best ground systems at a faster pace, with the most up-to-date capabilities.”
But for Upton, there’s more to it. Te Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW) provides a special environment of camaraderie, much like he experienced while on active duty. “Joining the AAW brought me closer to the military and that ‘way of life,’ which I desired, and opened up more opportunities than I ever imagined.”
While serving active duty, Upton attended the Aviation Captains Career Course, which included presentations on various functional areas—such as acquisition—that could be pursued beyond operational units. “At that time, I thought I would always serve in operational units, but a few years later I transitioned from active duty to working as a defense industry contractor, and it was then that I started to understand and appreciate Army acquisition and the role of Department of the Army civilian,” he said. “Although my time as a contractor allowed me to stay connected to the military, I still felt a calling to serve in a greater capacity.” So he applied for and accepted a position as an assistant product manager in the product directorate for Army Watercraft Systems.
68 Army AL&T Magazine Winter 2023
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