Celebrating Exceptional Achievements: 2025 Warfighting Acquisition Awards

CELEBRATING EXCEPTIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS:
2025 WARFIGHTING ACQUISITION AWARDS

by Rebecca Wright

On March 19, 2026, the Warfighting Acquisition Awards ceremony was held at the Warfighting Acquisition University on Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The event honored acquisition professionals whose exceptional achievements in research, development and sustainment efforts provided critical support to the warfighter.

The Honorable Michael P. Duffey, under secretary of war for acquisition and sustainment, delivered opening remarks. “It’s a pleasure to be here today to recognize the finest of our most valuable assets, our people,” said Duffey. “Today we recognize the individuals and teams whose 2025 achievements exemplify the very best of the acquisition workforce and whose work directly advances the Secretary of War’s priorities and the department’s acquisition transformation strategy through speed, flexibility and disciplined execution before anything else.”

The 2025 Warfighting Acquisition Awards were held on March 19, 2026, at the Warfighting Acquisition University, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. (Photo by Rebecca Wright, USAASC)

The annual awards featured 23 categories honoring individuals and teams whose work supports the National Defense Strategy and advances the Secretary of War’s priorities. Professionals from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force and other defense agencies were awarded. This year’s Army winners are:

• Individual Achievement Award – Business-Financial Management: Jerad Mabon, Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Fires, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
• Individual Achievement Award – Flexibility in Acquisition: Maj. Austin Knighton, PAE C2/CC2, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.
• Flexibility in Acquisition Team Award: Soldier Precision Targeting Devices, PAE Maneuver Ground, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
• Workforce Development Innovation Award (Small Organization): Army Field Support Battalion – Poland, AMC.
• David Packard Excellence in Acquisition Award: Lower Tier Interceptors Product Office, PAE Fires, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

“I ask all of us to leave here today with a renewed commitment to our nation and the warriors who defend it. A commitment to slash timelines, break the bureaucracy and honor the courage of our warfighters with the urgency of our work,” said Duffey. “Let’s build a system that doesn’t just equip them to fight but equips them to win at extraordinary speed. The future fights fast, and so must we.”

Congratulations to this year’s winners. Their achievements have fielded new capabilities, accelerated timelines and delivered significant advantages to the warfighter.

For more information about the Warfighting Acquisition Awards, go to https://asc.army.mil/web/acquisition-awards.