Staff Sgt. Summer L. McMahon
COMMAND/ORGANIZATION: United States Army Acquisition Support Center
TITLE: Proponent noncommissioned officer
YEARS OF SERVICE IN AAW WORKFORCE: 4
MILITARY OR CIVILIAN: Military
YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE: 13
DAWIA CERTIFICATIONS: Contracting professional
EDUCATION: M.S. in acquisition and contract management, Florida Institute of Technology; B.A. in legal assistant studies, Valdosta State University; A.S. in health science, University of the Incarnate Word
AWARDS: Joint Service Commendation Medal (2024); Army Commendation Medal (2025, 2021); Army Achievement Medal (2022); Air and Space Achievement Medal (2021)

POWER BEYOND PAPERWORK

by Cheryl Marino

A flexible mindset opens the door to growth, problem-solving and opportunity. Whether you’re navigating unexpected changes or taking on unfamiliar tasks, adaptability helps you stay effective and resilient. It allows you to adjust your approach and successfully support your team, even when plans shift.

Such flexibility is especially beneficial for Staff Sgt. Summer L. McMahon, proponent noncommissioned officer (NCO) for the United States Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC), who advocates for the 51C (Contracting) NCO community—from advancing and strengthening career paths to making sure perspectives and needs are represented at a senior leadership level. Her role not only demands adaptability, but awareness and constant learning to keep pace with evolving priorities and opportunities.

“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned throughout my career is that adaptability is just as important as expertise. No matter how much training or experience you bring to the table, things rarely go exactly as planned,” said McMahon. “Requirements change, funding shifts, timelines fluctuate and emergencies happen. Being flexible while remaining calm under pressure and finding a path forward has made all the difference in my career.”

In her proponent NCO role, McMahon ensures for the proper selection and smooth transition of new 51Cs into the acquisition workforce; managing the entire reclassification process of educating interested Soldiers about the 51C Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), addressing their questions and offering guidance throughout the application cycle. Once the selection process is complete, she assists in notifying selectees and supporting their transition into the MOS.

“This responsibility plays a direct role in advancing our agency’s mission by helping us identify and integrate top-tier talent into the acquisition workforce,” she explained. “By selecting the most capable candidates, we ensure our contracting professionals are prepared to deliver essential support, whether at home station or in a contingency environment, ultimately contributing to the success of every Soldier and unit they serve.”

One of her greatest satisfactions in being part of the Army Acquisition Workforce (AAW)—aside from directly supporting Soldiers—is believing that the work she does has a real and lasting impact on the Army’s ability to complete their mission.

“Knowing that I have the ability to help a unit get critical supplies and services faster and more efficiently gives me a sense of purpose,” she said, noting the most important thing about the MOS is that she and her team give units the ability to keep the mission on track, ultimately resulting in success.

“It is extremely rewarding to see a requirement from start to finish and to see how the work done by the acquisition team benefited the Soldiers. Knowing that a decision I helped influence means a deployed unit got the gear, critical life sustaining services or buildings needed in a tough environment, gives me a strong sense of fulfillment,” she said. “I take pride in being part of a team that quietly makes a big difference, every single day.”

FOOD SAMPLING
McMahon and the Regional Contracting Office team at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, hosted a food sampling from various vendors, on April 23, 2021, to gain input as to which Korean specialty favorites those on base would like to have available at the base restaurant. (Photo courtesy of Summer McMahon)

Prior to her current role, McMahon built a strong foundation in the medical field as a respiratory specialist and combat medic but eventually found herself seeking more. “I wanted to take on a new challenge that would allow me to grow in different ways and make an even greater impact,” she said. “I always wanted more of a business type MOS, and it quickly became clear the [51C MOS] path aligned perfectly with my strengths and goals.”

McMahon’s first position in the AAW was as a Contracting NCO at Kunsan Air Base in South Korea, where she was responsible for preparing and reviewing documents during all phases of the acquisition process including, but not limited to, market research, solicitation and award, as well as conducting site visits. She worked to provide supplies, services and construction contracts to the Army and Air Force—a fast-paced and high-impact environment that gave her early insight into how critical contracting is to the mission.

“What appealed to me most was how directly I could support Soldiers with everything from sourcing essential equipment and life support services to overseeing construction efforts that improved the base’s infrastructure,” she said, citing a project she was particularly proud of involved contracting for renovations and upgrades to the barracks, which directly enhanced quality of life for the Soldiers and Airmen deployed away from their families.

“Being in that role showed me that acquisition wasn’t just paperwork, it was about improving quality of life and also getting the necessary supplies and services needed to support missions. I realized that even though I wasn’t on the front lines, I had the power to make a real difference behind the scenes,” she said.

When McMahon stepped into her current role, she set clear goals that centered around impact, growth and opportunities for all 51C NCOs. “One of my top priorities was to ensure that our enlisted contracting force, especially new 51C Soldiers, received the training and support they need to succeed. I also want to ensure that we increase professional development to enhance career progression,” she said, recalling her skills and experience acquired at Kunsan Air Base. “Increasing the amount of broadening opportunities for 51C NCOs will only help to increase the knowledge base of the acquisition workforce.”

CADET COMMAND WEEK
Staff Sgt. Summer McMahon with Maj. Timothy Hancock, USAASC – proponent, supporting Cadet Command Week at a recruiting event at Fort Knox, Kentucky, on July 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Summer McMahon)

In addition to helping spread the word and recruiting, McMahon assisted with the Accessions Panel (review and selection of qualified individuals for specific military roles), reviewing packets for potential 51Cs that would like to join the acquisition workforce and worked closely with newly selected Soldiers to ensure all required documents and processes were complete and submitted properly so they could be scheduled for their class seats without delay. Ultimately, the goal is to broaden awareness of the 51C MOS across the Army and continuing to attract and retain high-quality NCOs in the acquisition workforce.

McMahon can rattle off a number of significant points in her career with the AAW, but the most important moments were the ones that challenged her to grow, pushed her out of her comfort zone and connected her with people who helped shape the way she leads.

“Having the opportunity to work with experienced contracting professionals, both military and civilian, gave me knowledge needed early on. Their mentorship helped me understand not just the systems and regulations, but also how to think strategically and lead effectively,” she said. At Kunsan Air Base, she described she was immediately exposed to all sides of contracting in a joint environment: supplies, services and construction. “That hands-on experience built a strong foundation and showed me the true impact of our work.”

McMahon recently completed the CCON 028 Contracting for Logistics & Sustainment Credential through Defense Acquisition University (DAU). This “provided valuable insight into how contracting directly supports long-term sustainment efforts and operational readiness throughout the DOD,” she said. “It went over topics such as contractor logistics support, life cycle cost considerations and performance-based logistics were covered in detail,” providing strategies she can apply in future acquisition planning.

One of the biggest takeaways, she explained, was the importance of building contracts that support long-term mission success and not just satisfying the initial requirements. “As a 51C NCO, this course helped me find a different way to approach sustainment-focused contracting. I would highly recommend CCON 028 to other acquisition professionals, particularly those supporting logistics and operational units. The content is timely but applicable while also giving a deeper understanding of sustainment strategy.”

One solid piece of advice she has for junior acquisition professionals is to “truly understand the ‘why’ behind our work. It’s not just about memorizing rules and regulations or completing the appropriate documentation; it’s about knowing that every contract and decision ultimately supports the warfighter,” she said. She also emphasized the value of building strong relationships.

“Contracting is a team effort, and good communication with all stakeholders: requiring activities, legal teams, contractors and peers can make a big difference,” she said. Continuous learning is another key point. “This field is always evolving, so staying current through DAU courses, mentorship and on-the-job training is essential.”

Above all, she said “understand that our job is bigger than writing contracts. It’s about a purpose that ultimately ensures that a Soldier or unit in need is our responsibility, and we need to ensure they receive the necessary supplies or services to result in a successful mission.”

Staff Sgt Summer McMahon
Staff Sgt Summer McMahon Headshot

Outside of work, people know McMahon as someone who’s all about family time. Whether it’s planning weekend outings, attending school events or just being present around the dinner table, she makes it a priority to invest time and energy in her loved ones.

“Family is my foundation, and it keeps me grounded, motivated and balanced,” she said, elaborating that deep connection to family mirrors the values she brings to her work in the acquisition workforce. “Just like at home, I believe in being dependable, taking care of people’s needs and building strong, respectful relationships,” she said. “Whether I’m ensuring Soldiers have what they need or supporting my teammates, I approach every task with the same sense of responsibility and care that I give to my family.”

“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/submissions/.