My DCMA: Col. Ty Christian, DCMA Americas commander

My DCMA showcases the Defense Contract Management Agency’s experienced and dedicated workforce and highlights what being a part of the national defense team means to them.  

Today, Air Force Col. Ty Christian, DCMA International’s Americas commander, shares his story. He is responsible for international acquisition management and contract oversight of over 1,900 Department of Defense contracts valued over $6 billion. He leads a joint contract management office, which manages an international portfolio dispersed across Canada and South America, promoting U.S. and host nation defense collaboration while delivering timely, affordable and high-quality capabilities to the warfighter. 

My name is Col. Ty Christian, and this is “My DCMA International” story. 

I’m grateful DCMA selected me for this position because I am surrounded by rockstars. Our office is filled with dedicated professionals who care deeply about the security of the U.S., Canada and our partners in South America. They are true patriots who take the mission seriously and know how to bring out the best in each other, resulting in a great working atmosphere.  

My predecessors made great selections who are mission-focused and provide exceptional work every day. The DCMA International headquarters staff located in Virginia have also been responsive and provide exceptional support despite our geographical distance, allowing me to focus on our priorities here in Canada. 

My top four priorities: 

1. I am driven to continue development of the on- and off-boarding processes. Being overseas is inherently challenging, but providing a smooth process for new employees and their families — from the time of selection to their arrival — should keep them excited and motivated and feel cared-for.  

2. I am working to help bring a level of consistency by developing strategies and initiatives that address gaps due to high attrition over the past few years, while also aligning with the agency’s overarching strategies and initiatives. I would also like to revisit areas that may have needed to pause to accommodate the staffing situation.  

3. I look forward to sharing the expertise of our force with the rest of the DCMA team. DCMA Americas is a high-performing organization and a phenomenal place to work and learn. We are able to deliver our experience and expertise to the rest of the agency, which enhances our capabilities and serves as a force multiplier. 

4. I would like to conduct more outreach because Canada does not operate like the U.S., and we have perfected our professional relationships with four distinct agencies: the Canadian Commercial Corporation acts as a primary on all of our contracts; Global Affairs Canada is our host agency that we partner with on a myriad of international trade agreements and initiatives; Public Services and Procurement Canada, which oversees cost and pricing, acts as our agent to ensure fair and reasonable price; and the Canadian Department of National Defence, which serves under our delegation to oversee quality assurance surveillance and, in most cases, acceptance of capabilities on our behalf. In addition to those four agencies, we need to enhance our outreach to our customers because business and acquisition in Canada are different than any other place I’ve been. Building those relationships helps maximize the capabilities our customers are looking for while minimizing frustrations of a process they may be unfamiliar with. 

Our office falls under the Department of State, Chief of Missions authority, which means we are intimately tied into DOS efforts across Canada. DCMA Americas personnel are considered diplomats but not all of them are accredited, which can be challenging and cause confusion. Our close ties to DOS, from the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, across consulates in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver is vital for our day-to-day operations. 

I’m very enthusiastic and love coming into work each day to support my team, ultimately wanting what’s best for them. Even on bad days, I treasure serving this team of acquisition professionals who work toward a mission that’s greater than us. I am an advocate for the DCMA Americas family and ensuring mission success from the north. I am also here to support and collaborate with the other DCMA International leaders, staff and teams around the world in the many missions we oversee. 

Before DCMA 

I’ve been in the Air Force for 27 years — nearly four years as an enlisted Airman and 23 years as a commissioned officer. At this rank, I know that I’m closer to the end than the beginning, but am reminded of the George Bernard Shaw quote, “I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live.” 

Just before DCMA, I served in a dual-hatted capacity: one as the deputy director for contracts for the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and the other as the deputy director for Special Access Program Contracting for the Secretary of the Air Force, or SAF-Contracting. 

I supported delivering Office of the Secretary of Defense and SAF-directed capabilities to the warfighter. Some specific public programs include the new B-21 bomber program and the X-37 autonomous space vehicle. Generally, we were tasked with rapidly delivering capabilities and streamlining the acquisition process to deliver national interest capabilities.  

In my second role, I was charged with advising, mentoring and championing the efforts and challenges of the Air Force SAP-Contracting workforce. This included understanding concerns and challenges; identifying opportunities for positive change; engaging the workforce; and addressing recruiting and retention challenges for the workforce. I also served as the policy and advisor for SAP acquisition programs across the Air Force, recommending Air Force Deputy Assistant Secretary, Contracting or higher approvals.  

It was an incredible experience as I was able to support and advise on a litany of next-generation programs. Probably the most public was for Collaborative Combat Aircraft program, supporting our future autonomous aircraft capabilities. I was also honored to be a small part of Office of the Secretary of Defense SAP reform so the DOD could streamline efforts and cohesively collaborate on the development of future capabilities. I was honored to work with some of the most phenomenal acquisition leaders, professionals and operators in DOD to bring national interest assets into reality. I also volunteered to deploy to Iraq, which gave me the opportunity to experience another facet of DCMA beyond aircraft. It’s humbling, and an honor, to know that quality assurance professionals play a crucial part of ensuring warfighters receive a safe and high-end piece of equipment.  

I feel both roles prepared me for the privilege to command DCMA Americas. Those combined experiences and access to senior leaders provided exceptional insight into the execution of major weapon systems as well as allowed me to engage with my peers at DCMA.  

Additionally, I spent four years in Yokota Air Base, Japan, where I served as the Contracting Squadron commander supporting Japan-wide requirements, and I also spent a year as the executive officer to the United States Forces commander. I gained more knowledge about military political affairs and expanded my cultural awareness because of these roles.  

While those combined roles have prepared me for this new adventure, I’d say the most important resource for me preparing to command DCMA Americas was having the leadership before me, Logan Beane and Army Col. Ernesto Perez, immediately accessible upon my selection. While I tried to stay out of their way, they kept me informed, prepped me for the position and laid the groundwork so I could hit the ground running. 

Going back to finish Shaw’s quote, “Life is no brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.” During my three years in this position, I hope we work hard to make it better for the people after us and that the relationships we build will create a bright torch held high for the security of the U.S. and our allies for generations to come.