Potential Pentagon acquisition chief might face hurdles
Candidate well-liked but lacks private-sector experience required by law, Senate aides say.
The White House is considering John Young, assistant secretary of the Navy, to be the Pentagon's top weapons buyer, though congressional sources say his nomination could hit a statutory snag preventing him from filling the post.
Young, despite a distinguished career, lacks the "extensive executive management background in the private sector" required under current law.
Congressional aides say the statute would need to be changed, most likely in the fiscal 2006 defense authorization bill, to consider Young for the job.
"The White House is hoping we will ignore it," said one Senate aide. "But we won't ignore it, and the [Senate Armed Services] committee is probably not inclined to change the law." A committee spokesman could not be reached for comment.
The law governing the acquisition chief dates to the 1985 Packard Commission, a panel established by President Reagan to reduce inefficiencies in the procurement system. The panel said the acquisition officer was to have a background in managing complex industry programs as the Pentagon increasingly looked to the private sector in fielding new weapons.
Congressional and industry sources said Michael Wynne, the Pentagon's acting acquisition undersecretary, is not expected to be sent to the Senate again for confirmation to the top job. His nomination languished in the Senate for months after Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., opposed it.
Young, a former staffer on the Senate Appropriations Committee, is well liked among senators. Although his resume does not indicate extensive management experience, he previously worked as an engineer in the private sector.
"John has long history of knowledge of the key programs of the department, both in terms of working for the Navy and his work in the Senate, as well as his career prior to joining the Senate staff," the source said. Since his appointment to the Navy's civilian acquisition post in July 2001, Young has managed a staff of more than 40 admirals, generals and Senior Executive Service personnel. Navy Capt. Tom Van Leunen, a spokesman for Young, declined to comment on his potential nomination.
Defense industry sources note John Deutch and Paul Kaminsky, both former Pentagon acquisition czars in the 1990s, did not come from private sector backgrounds. Some watchdog groups say assert there is growing sentiment among lawmakers in favor of changing the statute to consider a broader range of candidates.
"It makes sense to want someone on the buying side who understands the business on the selling side, but it might make sense to change the law to allow for more options," said Beth Daley at the Project on Government Oversight. "There might be fantastic procurement people out there who never served in the private sector who would do a wonderful job in that position."