COL Young is a 1997 ROTC graduate of Oregon State University. He earned a Juris Doctorate from Willamette University College of Law in 2000 on an Educational Delay from the Army. COL Young later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College resident course and completed Senior Service College as an Army War College Fellow, assigned to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Prior to his current assignment, COL Young was the Executive Officer / Special Counsel for the Office of the Army General Counsel. As the Executive Officer / Special Counsel, he was the senior military advisor to the Presidentially Appointed, Senate Confirmed General Counsel on substantive legal and policy matters. He was also the de facto chief of staff for the Office of the General Counsel, providing oversight and daily management of office personnel and execution of a $10+ million office budget.
COL Young served as the Staff Judge Advocate for the NATO Special Operations Component Command / U.S. Special Operations Joint Task Force – Afghanistan from April 2019 – June 2020, the Chief of Administrative Law and later Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for U.S. Special Operations Command from 2016-2019, the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence / Fort Huachuca from 2014-2016, and in numerous legal positions and commands from the tactical to the strategic level across the globe in combat, contingency, and garrison environments throughout his 24 years of service.
COL Young has served combat tours in Iraq (2006-2007) and Afghanistan (2011-2012 / 2019-2020) as well as an operational tour in Central America (JTF-B - 2002). His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Silver OLC), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Combat Action Badge. COL Young is a graduate of the 82d Airborne Jumpmaster Course.
COL Young is a member of the Oregon State Bar, the Bar of the United States Court of Federal Claims, the Bar of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the Bar of the United States Supreme Court.
COL Young is married to Lara Sayer, a 2013 graduate of the Eisenhower School. His oldest son is studying Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University and his youngest son is starting his Freshman year at Transylvania University.