REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Marking a major milestone in military logistics and procurement training, the Army Contracting Command graduated a new class of the Contracting Master Gunner Course April 28, preparing 17 specialists to serve as force multipliers across the globe. The 13-day intensive course graduated 16 51C noncommissioned officers and one Department of the Army civilian. This iteration of the program represented a significant evolution in training by executing the first-ever integration of the Contract Administration Service Train-the-Trainer course. Command Sgt. Maj. Rachel Harris, the ACC command segreant major, lauded the class for their dedication to mastering these modernized operations. "Today, we gather to honor a group of professionals who represent the future of Army contracting excellence," Harris said during the graduation ceremony. "Over the past couple of weeks, each of you has demonstrated discipline, resilience, and a commitment to mastering the technical foundations required to support the Army Contracting Command enterprise." The revamped curriculum was designed to modernize contracting operations for future conflicts. The instruction focused on technical advancement, covering Army Techniques Publication 4-71, Global Force Management, artificial intelligence in contracting, data analytics, contracting on-boarding, and Mission Essential Task Assessment. The rigorous training culminated with the students delivering detailed Unit Training Plan briefs, proving their readiness to elevate technical proficiency and mission readiness at their home stations. Staff Sgt. Nicholas Koretsky, of the 901st Contracting Battalion at Fort Bliss, Texas, was named the course’s honor graduate, a recognition he called an unexpected milestone. “It was a great course. I learned a lot from my peers and a lot from the instructors,” Koretsky said. “It was a very unique course ... where we kind of focused more on technical expertise and building on the things that we already learned.” As Master Gunners, the graduates are expected to return to their units not just as contracting technicians, but as mentors and strategic thinkers equipped to assess real-world operations. "Master Gunners, you hold a unique role. You are the ones who help shape the environment in which your organizations operate," Harris told the graduates. "You identify gaps others may not see ... and transform those gaps into training opportunities that set your formation up for success." Harris emphasized the heavy responsibility the graduates now carry as they disperse back to their units worldwide. "Contracting is a critical combat multiplier," Harris said. "Each of you has the skill set now to ensure that your teams and your organizations deliver on the capability that our Army truly depends on. Stand tall, stand ready, stay hungry, and continue to set the example for others to follow."