In the Military — June 19, 2016

Colonel retires

Damascus native Col. Shelia “J-MAC” J-McClaney recently retired after more than 30 years in the U.S. Army.

J-McClaney is a contractor of ATSG Corporation in support of the Bureau of African Affairs, Security Affairs, at the Department of State. She is the Africa Contingency Operations & Training Assistance Program, Southern and Central regional manager, covering nine countries. Her responsibilities include coordinating and implementing the work of contract field trainers supporting ACOTA peacekeeper training programs in 26 African countries.

She also provides policy advice to the African Bureau Front Office on peacekeeping issues, with emphasis on logistics, force generation and liaises with U.S. Ambassadors, Ministers of Defense and other embassy and foreign affairs officers in the field.

During her Army career, she held a variety of leadership positions and served operational tours in Haiti, Kuwait and Afghanistan. She was chief of Army Operational Energy and Contingency Basing at the Pentagon, leading, managing and the preparation of the secretary of the Army and all Army senior leaders on the execution of the Army’s Operational Energy budget to Congress and steering policy for $2.5 billion in Army energy expense.

Before that, she served as the brigade commander of the War on Terror’s only Defense Logistics Agency, Forward Positioned Distribution Depot within Southwest Asia. She was the first U.S. senior national representative serving as military ambassador for the United States, Corps G4 for NATO’s Rapid Deployable Corps. J-McClaney was responsible for the deployment of the 2006 Call to Duty — Boots on the Ground Inaugural Branding Tool Kit and the first Army Sexual Assault and Prevention education and awareness video.

Commissioned a second lieutenant through the ROTC at Albany State College in 1985, J-McClaney earned a bachelor of arts in history at ASU and holds two master’s degrees — one in Logistics Management from Florida Institute of Technology and one in National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

In October 2014, JMcClaney was honored as Distinguished Member of the Regiment for her contributions to the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps.

Medal awarded

Marine Cpl. Kyle A. McKinney has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for professional achievement while serving as the corporal of the Guard for the 33 area Camp Margarita Guard Force, Headquarters Battalion, 1st Marine Division on Dec. 19.

Officials said McKinney’s “courageous and prompt actions” in response to a vehicular accident “are a reflection of his outstanding initiative, unwavering courage, and solid judgment.” McKinney single-handedly pulled three passengers out of an overturned vehicle through the passenger window, then took them to the curb and treated them for shock until paramedics arrived. He also ordered guard sentries to off divert traffic to an alternate route.

McKinney is a 2011 graduate of Worth County High School and is the son of Chip and Suzanne McKinney, of Leesburg, and Deniese Loyd McKinney, of Sylvester. He and his fiancé, Samantha, are expecting their first child, a son (Kaleb Alexander) who in late fall.

McKinney served two years in Okinawa, Japan, and has spent the last year at Camp Pendleton in California. He will be stationed at Camp Leguene, N.C., June 30.

Sailor recognized

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) recognized Petty Officer 3rd Class Heather Besson as the ship’s Warrior of the Day on June 8. The title is awarded to sailors demonstrating superior performance in the line of duty.

Besson, a graduate of Lee County High School in Leesburg, was selected for her outstanding performance while serving as command master chief’s yeoman onboard Truman. Besson demonstrated sustained consistency and was instrumental in the management of the senior enlisted leader’s schedule.