Captain Young entered military service as a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, graduating with the Class of 1969. Following graduation and selection for Naval Aviation training, he earned his "Wings of Gold" in December 1970 as a helicopter pilot. His winging ceremony included the presentation of orders to the Navy's only helicopter gunship squadron headquartered in the Mekong Delta of the Republic of Vietnam.

As an attack helicopter aircraft commander and fire team leader in Vietnam, Captain Young flew 39 combat missions in support of ground and riverine forces, including several SEAL operations and medical evacuation missions.

Captain Young's aviation career was notable because he served in seven consecutive operational squadrons flying helicopters, attack jet aircraft, and multi-engine aircraft. His sea tours included two Western Pacific tours with LAMPS (Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System) flying from small destroyers and frigates. He was appointed as Officer-In-Charge of a forward-deployed LAMPS detachment at a young age.

His shore tours included serving in two separate test and evaluation squadrons as an operational test pilot and two tours as an instructor pilot in advanced helicopter training squadrons. These assignments included being Commanding Officer of the Navy's largest helicopter squadron and Deputy Commander of a major test and evaluation squadron.

Captain Young attended the U.S. Naval War College, graduating in 1988 as the "Graduate with Highest Distinction."

After leaving the aviation warfare community, Captain Young worked with the Defense Intelligence Agency, serving as the Naval Attache to Portugal for three years.

His final tour was as Inspector General for the Naval Air Systems Command, the Navy's procurement agency for all aviation-related aircraft and equipment. In this role, he was credited with saving the federal treasury $168 million dollars. His duties included oversight of 45,000 civilian and military personnel located throughout the United States and several overseas locations.