Strategic Communications Analyst

After a decade flying F-18s, I wasn't terribly excited to return to training jets as an instructor, but it didn't take me long at all to discover how wrong my initial impression had been. I found a real passion for teaching both academically in the classroom and practical skills in the aircraft. I enjoyed getting qualified to teach air-to-air intercepts, close air support procedures, and took pride in the earthbound parts of my job as administrative officer, and later Safety Department Head. I volunteered to mentor incoming cadres of students as they found their way through flight school and junior officership, became the subject matter expert in the Virtual Mission Training System used to train future combat aviators (for which I'd get sent to Boeing to coordinate with the engineering team working on system upgrades), and even started the squadron's championship softball team to bring students & instructors together for some fun after work. My efforts felt validated by the 25 positive by-name mentions on anonymous student feedback forms, and by my selection to represent the aviation community at the planning conference for the upcoming National Museum of the US Navy. Overall my time as an instructor at the Navy's Advanced Flight Training was one of the highest levels of job satisfaction I've ever experienced.- Co-wrote & edited an article on cold-weather hazards for the aviation safety magazine, Approach. - Administered the submission & approval of over two dozen meritorious awards for sailors & officers. - Created a culture of safety through discussions, bulletins and hazard reports that led my unit to pass a critical command inspection, and be the only Navy jet training squadron without a Class A mishap during my time as Safety Officer.

My second tour at VFA-211, I volunteered as a "Super JO" to augment the under-strength squadron as fully-qualified Weapons Systems Officer for their seven-month 2019-2020 deployment to the Arabian Sea, Mediterranean and North Atlantic aboard USS Truman. My role was to be the experienced officer and aviator that the squadron could lean on to complete tasks with minimal supervision, allowing the first-tour officers to focus on earning their own qualifications. Aside from flying daily missions from the ship, as Weapons and Tactics Officer I ensured the squadron was up to date with the latest equipment and procedures in employing the F/A-18, with particular emphasis on the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missiles (AGM-158C).

I was selected on the basis of my reputation as the USN's exchange officer to the RAAF, flying F-18s out of Brisbane and all over the South Pacific. After earning all my qualifications flying F/A-18Fs in the US Navy, it was invigorating to start from zero in the Australian system, earning my qualifications and reputation all over again. It gave me the opportunity to challenge my assumptions about what I knew, and share a different perspective with incredible aviators in the RAAF. I'm proud to say I not only earned my flight leadership qualifications in the Australian system, but also integrated seamlessly as a member of the squadron and earned the respect of my commanders & co-workers. That respect was demonstrated every time I was asked to help train or coach a junior aircrew, or plan a demanding mission, but never made clearer than when I was assigned to lead our unit's contribution to Operation APEC Assist, Australia's largest overseas operation this century. I managed over $850 million in assets in a high-visibility, no-fail mission under close scrutiny by senior officers and the public at large. By leading a hand-picked team of incredible professionals, we managed cross-continental logistics, maintenance, fatigue and coordination with external agencies to meet 103% of our assigned tasking.-Selected as one of two officers from the Super Hornet community for a conference to develop, ab initio, tactics to defend Australia's multi-billion dollar amphibious assault ships from naval swarm attacks.-Hand-picked aircrew for the first flights integrating RAAF F-18 Super Hornets and F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, as well as the first integration of RAAF Growler electronic attack aircraft.-On my own initiative, developed a Quick Reference Guide for RAAF aviators studying naval systems in the South Pacific theater, increasing operator proficiency in a time of international tenison.-Led recurring visits by aviators to a local children's hospital to boost spirits.