Command Post NCOIC Lead by Example

  • Published
  • By Capt. Newman Robertson
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AFB, La. --  When Master Sgt. John McClain, non commissioned officer in charge and Training Manager, Barksdale Command Post, applied for the job in the command post approximately one year ago, he was walking back into a world that he was all too familiar. He was going back to a career field that was transitioning from a two to a one command post concept. He was going into an environment that would require him to use his 11 years of command post active duty experience coupled with the leadership skills that has made him the senior NCO he is today.

Sergeant McClain is the first United States Strategic Command certified reservist and the first actively monitored reservist under the Personnel Reliability Program. He is also the first reservist to score 100 percent on the Emergency Action Procedures for USSTRATCOM Test during a recent no notice Nuclear Surety Inspection.

"Because I was the first Certified Air Reserve Technician, I knew there were a lot of eyes on me," he said. "I tell the reservist all the time that we represent the 917th Wing, and we don't want to give the 917th a bad reputation," he added.

"In taking this test, my goal was to make a 100," he stated. "It took a lot of studying, a lot of prayer, and a lot of training in addition to managing my day-to-day responsibilities," he added. "The minimum score on this test is 90," he said. "As you can see, there is very little room for error."

"Sergeant McClain is showing the way ahead for not only reserve units supporting strategic nuclear deterrence, but to all units facing future Command Post consolidation," said Capt. Michael Allen, Deputy Chief, Barksdale Command Post. "His efforts have garnered a lot of trust and respect with his active duty counterpart," he added.

"As controllers, we have to be completely familiar with the procedures and actions that are prescribed by Air Force regulations that govern our jobs," said Sergeant McClain. "When we are processing emergency action messages, or relaying critical information to aircrews, we don't have time to go to the regulations."

When not in uniform, Sergeant McClain wears many hats. He is a husband of 27 years, a father, an ordained minister, a community leader, and a mentor to troubled youth.

"I designed a 10-week life skills training program to help troubled youth make better decisions," he said. "Working in the community is my passion, and this program combines both my military experiences along with bible based principles."

"Since the program's inception some two years ago, I have seen young men give their lives to Christ, join the military, reconcile with their family, and attend two as well as four year college programs," he stated.

As the consolidated command post celebrates its one year anniversary, the merge has been successful in "giving the active duty component a clear view of the role the Reserve plays," said Sergeant McClain. 

For Sergeant McClain, the one command post concept epitomizes the Total Force concept. "We are learning daily how important both missions are to the base," he said. "Because we are now one command post, Reserve and Active Duty command-post controllers have been training on each other's mission."