Former AFGSC member earns top DOD civil service award

by Air Force Global Strike Command
Public Affairs

11/19/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Former Air Force Global Strike Command Senior Executive Service member Scott Jack received the Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award from Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., Nov. 18.

This award is the highest honor given by the Secretary of Defense to career civilian personnel, and is reserved for those individuals whose service reflects devotion to duty and significant contributions to improving DOD operational efficiency and economy, Staff Sgt. Lavon Tucker, Air Force Personnel Center awards and decorations, said.

While with AFGSC, Jack served as director of communications and information (A6) at Headquarters AFGSC here. During this period, he led numerous projects impacting both joint and national levels. As the Designated Accrediting Authority for all Air Force Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications systems, Jack led efforts to provide modern survivable communications to enable emergency action message transmission in support of the President of the United States. According to his award package, "His vision and foresight ensured critical funding in the fiscal year 2014 Program Objectives Memorandum resulting in permanent upgrades to current B-52 communications and data-links."

The decoration continued, "Mr. Jack expertly led the successful transition of five main operating bases and 23,000 personnel from Air Force Space Command and Air Combat Command during the stand-up of AFGSC, culminating in the command reaching full operational capability. He successfully managed and completed a multi-million dollar cryptographic modernization initiative that ensured critical modernization of multiple nuclear command and control systems."

"I am awestruck to actually be selected for this prestigious award," Jack said. "While this is an individual award, my being selected was only made possible because of the great AFGSC team I had the privilege of serving for and with during my tenure."

"It truly represents the entire AFGSC team's commitment to the mission and the Air Force core values," Jack said.

Jack has previously been awarded the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and three Meritorious Civilian Service Awards.

Jack is currently deputy director C4 and deputy chief information officer for Headquarters, Marine Corps, where he formulates and provides broad policy guidance governing information technology, cyber security, and communications infrastructure and applications in support of the U. S. Marine Corps.