Cortney Young

Captain Cortney Young serves as a Course Instructor at the Air Force Institute of Technology within the School of Systems & Logistics. She instructs the Air Force's badge awarding course for Contracting Professionals through 5-week hybrid virtual/in-resident courses delivered to approximately 350 new officer accessions and select civilians annually.

Professional Background

• 15+ years of Air Force service with progressive contracting experience across operational domains
• Extensive field experience including Branch Chief managing $1B Cyber Weapon System portfolio
• Deployed as Contingency Contracting Officer to Kyrgyzstan establishing Central Asian trade routes

Education

• 2013: Associate in Applied Science in Contracts Management, Community College of the Air Force
• 2017: Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Southern New Hampshire University

Distinguished Military Recognition

• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
• Multiple Air Force Outstanding Contracting Officer awards (2011, 2014, 2019, 2022)
• Distinguished Graduate of both Airman Leadership School and Officer Training School

Captain Young's instructional approach integrates real-world contracting challenges from her operational experience at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Nellis AFB, and Joint Base Langley-Eustis into professional military education for developing contracting professionals across the Department of the Air Force.