Staff Sgt. Mbawuike Uchechukwu

COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: 413th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii
TITLE: Contracting officer
YEARS OF SERVICE IN AAW: 2
MILITARY OR CIVILIAN: Military
YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 10
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Contracting professional
EDUCATION: M.A. in systems engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
AWARDS: Army Commendation Medal (2024)

by Cheryl Marino

Learning something new each day keeps the mind sharp, perspectives fresh and the potential for growth alive. Embracing new opportunities—even those that seem uncertain—opens doors to unexpected experiences and skills. Taking risks may feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s often in those moments of challenge that real progress and confidence take root.

Staff Sgt. Mbawuike Uchechukwu has a solid grasp on the benefit of learning new things in the face of challenge. Early on in his military career, while serving as a 91D power generation specialist for 5-4 Air Defense Artillery Battalion, he saw an opportunity to challenge himself in a new chapter, leveraging his previous logistics and sustainment knowledge, as well as mentorship from members of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW), to become part of the AAW through the 51C reclassification process. “The most important lesson I have learned is that there is something to learn every day,” he said of the process and his career journey, “that alone is a win each day.”

As a contracting officer with the 413th Contracting Support Brigade (CSB), assigned to the Theatre Support Contracting Team, Uchechukwu and his team provide contracting support to the 25th Infantry Division and U.S. Army Pacific during Pacific Pathways missions and rehearsals (exercises). This initiative focuses on enhancing readiness and strengthening relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region through a series of (linked) military exercises. In this role, he said, he “enables warfighter readiness in the strategically important Pacific theater by providing expert contracting services and business advice, while ensuring the best interests of the government are upheld.”

Beyond the privilege of supporting our warfighters, Uchechukwu’s greatest satisfaction comes from knowing his work directly contributes to equipping them with the capabilities they need to succeed. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see a contracting action from initial requirement to contract award and how that translates into a tangible advantage for our mission partners, allies and Soldiers,” he said.

Uchechukwu joined the AAW in 2023, initially serving as a contracting specialist with the 411th CSB, where he provided contracting support to the Air Force at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. “This position proved foundational to my development as a contracting professional,” he said. “I benefited from mentorship and training from experienced personnel and gained practical experience in both supplies procurement and service contracts.”

Then, prior to assuming his current role, Uchechukwu established key professional development goals including obtaining his contracting officer warrant, earning the National Contract Management Association – Certified Federal Contracting Manager (CFCM) certification. Serving as a reliable resource for his chain of command and leadership to explore in various areas to execute mission.

“With the support of my leaders and peers, I successfully achieved these objectives and remain committed to continuous improvement and organizational support,” he said. “I continuously want to grow in knowledge and provide the same mentorship to anyone that needs it. I believe it’s important to educate, mentor and be a person that others feel comfortable seeking or reaching out to regarding any issues.”

Uchechukwu earned his master’s degree in system’s engineering through the Acquisition Tuition Assistance Program (ATAP), managed by the Director of Acquisition Career Management Office, which provides tuition, laboratory and technical fees to eligible AAW civilians and Military Occupational Specialty 51C noncommissioned officers.

“I was accepted for ATAP in 2024, and continuously will recommend the program to anyone,” he said. “It provided a financial relief for me to seek professional development. The knowledge I have gained through the program provides another layer of skill set for my chain of command to utilize.”

Uchechukwu said earning his master’s degree in system’s engineering through ATAP significantly broadened his perspective on the intersection of systems engineering and contracting. “I now approach requirements as complex systems with interconnected components, enabling a more holistic and effective contracting strategy,” he explained. “Furthermore, the program reinforced the critical role acquisition plays in enabling warfighter capabilities and contributing to broader national security objectives, such as deterrence.”

His best advice to those entering or developing within the acquisition workforce is to “prioritize learning your craft, actively seek mentorship, and embrace all opportunities as learning experiences.” Adding “Don’t be afraid to take risks and trust the wealth of expertise available within our organization.”

Overall, Uchechukwu is “passionate about his field” and said his career path has been shaped by the people who took the time to share their insight, offer guidance and lead by example; their influence has made all the difference in his growth both personally and professionally. “Every bit of knowledge that I have gained are thanks to the amazing people that have crossed my path.”

“Faces of the Force” highlights the success of the Army Acquisition Workforce through the power of individual stories. Profiles are produced by the Behind The Frontlines 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/army-btf/.

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