Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD — The U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) witnessed the promotion of Engineering Director Michael Bailey to the Senior Executive Service during a ceremony Nov. 10 at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

Bailey is responsible for the Engineering Directorate’s personnel, budget, equipment, facilities and maintenance. In this role he oversees a staff of roughly 500 engineers, scientists, logisticians and other highly skilled professionals who work to design, build, test and sustain chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defense capabilities for joint warfighters and other customers.

His overarching goals are to be a good partner, to be on the cutting edge of technology and to make the organization highly adaptable and able to function in this complex environment that we all live in now. “If I do a really good job in this role, we will be able to anticipate change. We would be proactive in the way that we design, build, test and sustain,” he said. “Instead of looking down and in on the organization, I have to look up and outside of the organization to lead it with other components in the DoD and across other government agencies to make sure we’re building the right partnerships, doing the right work and delivering the right things to the users who use the capabilities we develop.”

Bailey joins more than 7,000 other members in the Senior Executive Service (SES) Corps, which was established in 1978 to be a corps of executives to serve in key governmental positions not filled by top presidential appointees. It is the highest civilian service in the government and is extended only to those federal employees who demonstrate professional integrity. The DoD employs approximately 460 members of the SES Corps, who are accorded general officer status.

Bailey’s promotion was made official during a pinning ceremony where he was joined by family, friends and colleagues in person and virtually on Microsoft Teams. The Center’s Science and Technology Integrator, Maj. Steve Deleon presided and Center Director Dr. Eric L. Moore officiated the ceremony and highlighted Bailey’s contributions to CBC and the CBRN defense community. Moore talked about the value of Bailey’s visionary leadership and the wealth of knowledge and experience that makes him the best person for this notable achievement. “Mike is very committed to the mission and always looking for ways to grow,” Moore said. During the ceremony Moore swore Bailey into the SES Corps and his wife, Deborah Bailey, held the bible as he took the oath of office. Thereafter, Mrs. Bailey pinned her husband with the SES pin. His son, Owen, assisted Moore with the presentation of the SES Certificate, and Bailey’s daughter, Violet, assisted with presenting her father with the SES flag. In his closing address, Bailey expressed his gratitude for the support of his colleagues and professional network over the years. “It is such a humbling honor to be able to serve in this capacity,” he said.

Bailey has served in the chemical biological defense space as a scientist and leader for more than 23 years. Prior to this assignment, Bailey was the deputy joint project manager for CBRN Sensors at the Joint Program Executive Office for CBRN Defense. In this capacity, he was responsible for the management and execution of a portfolio of CBRN sensor development and procurement programs, and platform integration programs. In 2012, he contributed to the Army’s Strategic Studies Group as a strategic planner working for the Chief of Staff of the Army. He played a critical role in helping the Army’s most senior leaders understand global urbanization trends and what they mean for future force structure and capability requirements. Bailey also worked at the U.S. Army’s Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (2001-2005). This work included time in a biosafety level 4 laboratory, which is the highest level containment for biological threat agents. In this capacity, he worked on vaccines against biological warfare agents.

In addition to roles within the DoD, Bailey also held positions as a microbiologist at the National Institute of Health (2005-2008), the Department of Health and Human Services, and the US military HIV research program as part of the Medical Research and Material Command (1998-2001). He received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Pittsburgh (1992-1997), a Master of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University (2001-2004), a Master of Public Policy from George Mason University (2009-2012). He was selected to attend the Eisenhower School at National Defense University where he received a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy.