Maj. Nicholas Corby
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: Product Manager Large Caliber Ammunition, Program Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems, Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition
TITLE: Assistant program manager
YEARS OF SERVICE IN WORKFORCE: 3
MILITARY OR CIVILIAN: Military
YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 13
EDUCATION: B.A. in business management, North Carolina State University
AWARDS: Meritorious Service Medal (2); Army Commendation Medal (6)
Maj. Nicholas Corby
by Cheryl Marino
Throughout his military career, Maj. Nicholas Corby has learned two key lessons. First, the results of his efforts may not be immediately evident until long after he’s departed an organization, but if there’s a chance it will improve things for others in the future, it’s still worthwhile. Second, career paths don’t have to follow a traditional trajectory, as ultimately, personal satisfaction matters most. These principles drive his work and keep him motivated.
An example, he said, was his first acquisition role as the assistant program manager (APM) for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) A2, which required that he work with several external Army acquisition programs to provide logistics and technical support to assist in the development of weapon systems that won’t see the field for several—even up to 10— years from now.
“It all required long-term vision and even a little creativity to pair my underdeveloped vehicle with their [industry partners’] immature designs to help them make progress right now; however, the parts, technical data and even A2 trucks themselves that we provided to these programs will one day help Soldiers execute their assigned mission,” he explained. “Knowing that is what kept me going.”
Careerwise, Corby worries less about his path following the “prototypical progression,” because, in the end, he knows he’s the one who will care most about his job satisfaction.
In his current role as the APM supporting the Product Manager Large Caliber Ammunition, Program Manager Maneuver Ammunition Systems within the Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition, Corby is responsible for managing the cost, schedule and performance of the armor-piercing ammunition round of the new 50 mm family of ammunition currently in development. His work is crucial in enhancing the lethality of the XM30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle, which will eventually be the primary capability the Army uses to transport infantry Soldiers in the close area battlefield.
“The greatest satisfaction I have is knowing that I am one of relatively few Army officers who gets a first-hand experience of where, how and why the Army procures the equipment Soldiers ultimately use,” said Corby, who typically interacts with fewer service members on a weekly or monthly basis than civilians—which comprises most of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW).
Corby started his career as a Regular Army officer and then transitioned to the Army Reserve before joining the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program—all as a logistics officer. “I became an acquisition officer in 2022 [still in the AGR program], and now I’m right back to working alongside service members from all components of the Army—not the most common path that most people take.”
Taking advantage of the Voluntary Transfer Incentive Program, which allows mid-career officers to voluntarily transfer to a different career field or functional area, based on Army requirements, Corby changed his career field from logistics to acquisition.
“I transferred to the acquisition field because I wanted to experience something outside of the operational Army while still serving,” Corby explained. “My first position was the assistant program manager for the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles A2 in Program Executive Office Combat Support and Combat Service Support. The interaction with so many different DOD and industry partners appealed to me.”
These interactions included visits to vendor facilities; the FA51 Intermediate Qualification Course (IQC) in Huntsville, Alabama; and the Army birthday celebration event at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, where he had the opportunity to represent a model of the FMTVA2. All of these allowed him to share his experience with other military members, as well as people and organizations outside of the AAW.
“This [Army birthday celebration] was a great event to honor and celebrate the current and veteran members of the Army as well as reminisce how much we’ve changed over time,” he said. “Being able to show off my [FMTVA2] truck was a material representation of what the Army is able to create and provide its Soldiers in today’s age.”
Corby also gained a broader perspective of how his efforts as an APM fit into the defense acquisition system, and about the experiences of other APMs, through the FA51 IQC, which he attended in April 2024. The course was designed to develop a pool of future senior officers and civilians trained in innovative leadership and acquisition topics. Although it is a required course for all FA51 Army officers, he said he would still recommend it.
Drawing from his experience and training, Corby would advise junior acquisition personnel to “improve their stakeholder management skills” and to “understand the perspectives of different stakeholders and, if there is new information that is relevant to them, make sure you are sending out a common message.”
Outside of work, Corby is best known for rooting for his favorite sports teams and traveling. “I like to work in different organizations that have different and unique missions,” he said, noting that a great example is South Korea, due to both its geographical location and operational environment. “Being stationed in South Korea [in 2016] allowed me to experience a unique mission and also gave me the opportunity to explore the surrounding East Asia region,” Corby said, explaining that he traveled to seven other countries in Asia while stationed in South Korea. “I think my interest in traveling relates to my interest in new experiences within the Army.”
“Faces of the Force” highlights the success of the Army Acquisition Workforce through the power of individual stories. Profiles are produced by the Army AL&T magazine team, working closely with public affairs officers to feature Soldiers and civilians serving in various Army acquisition disciplines. For more information, or to nominate someone, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/publications/army-alt-submissions/.
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