Young entered the navy as a midshipman and went out to the Mediterranean, where he would rise through the ranks during a long and extended cruise that saw him serve on a number of different vessels. A captain by the end of the War of the Austrian Succession, a fact that led to the caustic comment that he had been "midshipman, lieutenant, and captain in one voyage", he continued in active service after the war. He commanded several more ships during the Seven Years' War, and was one of those engaged at the controversial Battle of Minorca in 1756. The fleet's commander, Admiral John Byng, was court martialled over the affair, Young giving some damning evidence against Byng at the inquiry. Young also played a role in the more creditable performance at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759, flying a broad pennant as a commodore and participating in the decisive defeat of the French fleet. He went on to command several squadrons on the French coast before his promotion to flag rank.