WORKFORCE
PIONEERING NEW PATHS
Chris Young’s groundbreaking direct commission into Army acquisition.
by Ashley M. Kestner I
n a landmark move that reflects the evolving nature of military recruitment and talent acquisition, Chris Young broke new ground by becoming the first indi- vidual to receive a direct commission into the Army Acquisition Corps. Tis significant milestone marks a pivotal shift in how the Army is integrating highly
skilled professionals into its ranks in support of technological innovation. Young, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in project management and technolog- ical innovation, made history when he became an Army major at Fort Moore, Georgia, in August 2024.
His commissioning signifies a broader strategy to bring specialized expertise from civil- ian sectors, thereby enriching its acquisition processes and ensuring our nation’s Army remains competitive—recruiting the best and brightest acquisition professionals. Reflect- ing on the historic moment, Young was most excited to contribute to improving the Soldiers’ experience and giving back to the mission.
“I am driven by a passion for advancing initiatives and constantly ask myself, ‘How can I contribute to making this better?’ For me, ‘better’ translates to enhancing the effective- ness of our Soldiers and improving the likelihood of their safe return home,” Young said.
THE DIRECT COMMISSION INITIATIVE Te first-of-its-kind direct commission is part of an innovative initiative by the Army to create specialized pathways for commissioning in various job fields. Te John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, signed into law on August 13, 2018, empowers the DOD with enhanced authority to grant constructive service credit. Tis authority facilitates the direct commissioning of officers up to the rank of colonel,
https://
asc.ar my.mil 93
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104
