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News | Aug. 1, 2019

August Enlisted Corps Spotlight

By U.S. Strategic Command Public Affairs

OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb.  –  

U.S. Navy Chief Yeoman (IW) Amanda McNeely, assistant operational support officer for the U.S. Strategic Command reserve directorate, hails from Grafton, North Dakota, and has 15 years of military service.

Q: How does your job support USSTRATCOM and our missions?

The reserve directorate at USSTRATCOM is directly responsible for providing highly trained, qualified, ready Navy and Marine Corps reserve assets to support the active component mission. I’m responsible for coordinating missions and requirements and providing the funding to bring reservist on orders to support USSTRATCOM.

Q: What do you find most rewarding about your work at USSTRATCOM?

Being able to highlight the reserve force talent to the active component. Many times the active component doesn’t realize how much support reservists provide. I enjoy being the reserve liaison and being able to provide support to the active duty force.

Q: What has been a challenge for you regarding your work at USSTRATCOM and how have you overcome that challenge?

My branch class is called FTS or full time support. I am essentially active duty, but work full time for the reserve force. I’ve never been to an active duty command before, or worked at a joint command, and one so large at that. The challenge that I’ve overcome was figuring out how the different chain of commands work and how the reserve force is factored in. Also, having to re-learn all of the other branches rank structures was a challenge. I overcame these challenges by meeting them head on. 

Q: What has been your most memorable experience in the military?

I have a few, but to date, my most memorable experience was when I was pinned to Chief Petty Officer. There has not been another instance where I was so proud of myself and my accomplishments in the Navy. 

Q: What is the one piece of information or advice about working at USSTRATCOM that you'd pass on to new members of the USSTRATCOM team?

Learn the building structure, I can’t count the number of times I’ve been lost!  But seriously, you get out what you put in.  Enjoy your time here in Nebraska, it’s a hidden gem.