Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Sandra Y. Young:
LTC Young is a native of Dermott, Arkansas. She graduated from Dermott High School in 1993. Upon graduation, LTC Young attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 2004, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Nyack College, New York, and her Master of Science in Emergency Disaster Management from Trident University.
LTC Young began her outstanding military career in the Arkansas National Guard on July 15, 1992. She attended basic training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Advanced Individual Training in Fort Gordon, Georgia, where she graduated from the Signal Corps as a Signal Support System Specialist (31U). LTC Young’s enlisted career started in the 1122nd Transportation Company, Monticello, Arkansas, 205th Medical Support Company, Lake Village, and Company C, 212th Signal Battalion, Pine Bluff.
LTC Young received her officer commission from the Arkansas National Guard, 233rd Regional Training Institute’s Officer Candidate School on August 19, 2000. Upon commissioning, she was assigned to the 1123rd Transportation Company in Marked Tree. LTC Young attended her Officer Basic Course in Fort Eustis, Virginia, where she graduated from the Transportation Corps on March 2, 2001. She was assigned to the Washington, D.C. National Guard as a Transportation Officer Platoon Leader with the 140th Transportation Company on May 8, 2021. Her additional assignments included: Executive Officer, 140th Transportation Company; Company Commander, 140th Transportation Company; Company Commander, 547th Transportation; International Affairs Officer, J5/J7; S1, 74th Troop Command; Secretary, General Staff, Headquarters-District of Columbia; G4 Plans and Policy Officer, Headquarters-District of Columbia Army National Guard; G4, Operations Officers, U.S. Army Central Command; Deputy G4, Headquarters-District of Columbia National Guard; G4 Senior Logistics Staff Officer, National Guard Bureau and Deputy G4, Joint Force Headquarters-Arkansas, Camp J.T. Robinson, Arkansas.
On August 20, 2020, LTC Young was selected as the Battalion Commander, 217th Brigade Support Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard. She was the first African American Female assigned as a Battalion Commander in the history of the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade. LTC Young has deployed to Jamaica to support U.S. Southern Command and Kuwait/Jordan in support of U.S. Army Central Command.
LTC Young’s professional military education includes the Transportation Officer Advance Course (2003), Combined Armed Exercise Course (2007), IMCOM-Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (2007), Human Resource Management Qualification Course (2009), Intermediate Level Education (2014), Advanced Operation Course (2017), and How the Army Run Course (2018).
LTC Young’s military awards include the Army Superior Unit Award (2nd Award), Meritorious Service Medal (4th Award), Army Commendation Award (4th Award), United States Air Force Commendation (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Air Force Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Reserve Component Achievement (4th Award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon (2nd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2nd Award/with M Device), U.S. ARCENT Combat Badge, and Army Staff Identification Badge. LTC Young received the Arkansas Officer Candidate School (Class 43) Graduate Leadership Award and the 87th Troop Command Academic and Leadership Award. She was awarded the District of Columbia National Guard Major General Charles Southward Leadership Award.
One of LTC Young’s highest achievements was when she was selected to be the first United States Army Soldier to attend the Caribbean Junior Staff and Command Course, where she successfully graduated on December 9, 2004, in New Castle, Jamaica. LTC Young has been recognized as the only United States Army African American Soldier to complete the international staff course under the Canada National Defense Training Center.
LTC Young is a member of the National Guard Association of the United States. Currently, she supports the Urban League for the State of Arkansas as she assists with providing resources for economic and social development. Her new journey as the President and Chief Executive Officer of RCY Professional and Management Training, Incorporated, allows her to share her military leadership experience with others.
LTC Sandra Young retired on April 30, 2023, after completing over 30 years in the Army National Guard and 22 years of Active Federal Service. LTC Young and her family now reside in Benton, Arkansas.