John L. Close Email & Phone Number

Ellenwood, Georgia, United States

Yokosuka, Japan/Palmetto, Ga

Depot-Level Maintenance Management ► Working at the ship repair facility, I supervise and direct the installation, operation, and unit-level maintenance of long-range search radar, short-range surface search radar, and tactical air navigation systems on shore-based units and ship-based units. I am accountable for servicing 21 U.S. ships stationed in or near Yokosuka Japan. I focus a lot of effort on modernization, on-site technical support, and on-the-job training for communications and detection systems, which pays dividends in improving processes, as well as empowering team members to better maintain their equipment. ● I supported six junior personnel in other departments in their preparation for advancement to the next grade. This is an important milestone in a sailor’s career, and I am fortunate to have been part of their advancement planning.● I provided shore-based technical support to 21 overseas-based naval ships, with a keen focus on training junior sailors and passing on knowledge of safety and advancement. As a result, we won the 2020 Chief of Naval Operations Shore Safety Award and the Retention Excellence Award.

Yokosuka, Japan

Shipboard Program and Project Management ►Aboard the USS Benfold, I supervised, managed, and assisted a team of 76 personnel in the operations of the Combat Systems Department’s communications, networks, navigation systems repair and maintenance team. I oversaw the daily maintenance, repairs, and troubleshooting of faulty equipment to component-level, using electronics test equipment. I mentored and trained subordinate leaders. I prepared work schedules for service to 200 users aboard the ship. I also prepared and initiated emergency restoration procedures, and was accountable for $2B+ in equipment, tools, and materials. ● I personally spearheaded the completion of a comprehensive testing program for the Combat Systems Department following the completion of dry dock repairs to the ship. I directed a 20-person team through 2.4K hours of maintenance to clear 231 open jobs, repair 7 disabled units, and complete 150+ hours of equipment rehabilitation. This resulted in our team completing a five-day assessment in just ONE day! ● I also led a detachment of 18 personnel on a shore-based project to feed and oversee a group of quarantined personnel who temporarily encamped ashore.

Great Lakes, Illinois, United States

Leadership & Program Management ►I supervised a major training program with 41 instructors teaching 10 technical specialties to new recruits and returning sailors from the fleet. In addition to training, I was accountable for the safety and operation of five multimillion-dollar technical training facilities and associated training equipment. I also oversaw maintenance program, ensuring laboratory equipment was operable for training purposes. Technical Training Specialist ►I instructed hundreds of junior service members and retrained senior members in the operation, maintenance, and repair of satellite, radar, and communications equipment used by the U.S. Navy. I taught over 1K hours in classroom settings and in laboratories with simulated and with actual equipment, and I conducted training exercises, proctored examinations, and documented all student performances. ● As director of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, I supervised 52 other volunteers, and we completed 600+ hours of assistance, filed 280+ returns on behalf of service members in 2018, and garnering $247K+ in returns for our men and women.● I managed a project for the renovation of 35 classrooms for technical training and installation of 24 task training simulators for fire control training and interior communications training. ● I updated and improved the internal Master Training Specialist qualification training program, which resulted in 16 of 38 applicants achieving this certification. I was subsequently awarded the Center’s Enlisted Instructor of the Year Award 2016.

Manama, Capital Governorate, Bahrain

Satellite Communications Maintenance & Operation ►In Bahrain, I managed a team of 44 other SATCOM technicians and assisted with SATCOM division’s operations, maintenance, and repair services. Our efforts ensured continuous availability of all warfighting networks and earth station telecommunications systems. I performed Internet Protocol (IP) and other data services for all users. I oversaw and helped teams as we installed and configured routers, modems, switches, multiplexers, amplifiers, and other digital signal devices and wiring. I supervised technicians in support of 50+ mobile land- and ship-based satellite communications equipment sets across the region. I was accountable for $1.5B in equipment, tools, and materials. ● I planned and executed two major satellite terminal maintenance projects with vital importance to combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. I scheduled the project to ensure that downtimes were minimal/unfelt by field users and further ensured that the resulting upgrades provided redundancy to the systems. ● I authored updates to 56 satellite communications standard operating procedure manuals and drove the restructuring of job qualification requirements. This resulted in an overall reduction in qualification time by 20% for incoming technicians and improved technicians’ proficiency with repair, maintenance, and operation. ● In an emergency, I volunteered to assist the USS Ponce with satellite communications repairs. I assisted them and then provided on-the-job training to the ship’s crew to increase the ship’s ability to maintain their equipment.

Camp Pendleton, Ca

Communications Management ►I supervised a team of 10 field technicians in support of 2.5K users across the Naval Hospital. I directed and assisted in the daily maintenance and repairs of computer communications equipment throughout the hospital and supported upgrades, transfers, and other communications engineering projects. I was accountable for $3M in computer equipment and telecommunications.● I provided key service and direction in the installation and configuration of 500 new computers throughout the hospital. I also directly resolved a further 870 open work orders to ensure continuous patient care during the 2-month transition period, which was a 2K% increase over normal work orders. ● I assisted in the transfer of all computer networking to a new hospital facility, patched 1.89K computer ports and configured 421 network ports on 11 virtual local area networks, allowing for mirrored operation at both facilities during the changeover.

Manama, Capital Governorate, Bahrain

Satellite Communications Maintenance Management ►In Bahrain I supervised a team of 58 technicians and managed the Satellite Communications division. I provided instrumental leadership and assistance with the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of satellite communications equipment and earth station telecommunications equipment. As a team, we utilized electronics test equipment and completed component-level troubleshooting. We supported 50+ units and over 10K personnel in Southwestern Asia.● I directed technicians through troubleshooting efforts to achieve a 98% reliability rating for all land and ship-based communications systems under our care. I also mentored and provided on-the-job training to field technicians, which maximized equipment serviceability for all units and increased qualifications of personnel. ● I leveraged experience and skill in troubleshooting and repair earned over my earlier career to restore an AN/GSC-52A satellite communications earth terminal, restoring lost communications to the station and 10 land- and shore-units in the region.