Sergeant First Class · Army · 17+
Melissa
Henderson
Training & Operations Manager
Hampton, Virginia
Summary
I'm a training operations leader with a track record of managing large-scale programs and high-value assets. Most recently, I managed $217 million in training equipment with 100% accountability while overseeing instructor teams delivering 21,000+ hours of instruction to 305 trainees. I've coordinated maintenance for a $625 million aircraft fleet, led physical readiness programs that increased fitness scores by 10%, and designed compliance training that boosted awareness by 25%. I hold a BA in Psychology and specialize in program management, quality assurance, and personnel development.
Impact
$625M
fleet maintenance coordinated
$217M
equipment managed, zero loss
21,000+
instruction hours overseen
Experience
2024-2025
Training Operations Manager
United States Army · Ft. Eustis, Virginia
- Evaluated over 600 Soldier Army Combat Fitness Tests (ACFTs) with precision and vigilance, ensuring flawless execution and safety in support of 1-222 Aviation Battalion (AVN BN).
- Supported the company physical training program, participating in 15 fitness events and fostering esprit de corps among colleagues.
- Maintained a complex schedule for 22 noncommissioned officers (NCOs), leading peers with integrity and distinction, which resulted in five promotions.
- Managed 217 million dollars in aircraft trainers, equipment, and tools, maintaining 100% accountability with zero losses.
2023-2024
Training Manager
United States Army · Ft. Eustis, Virginia
- Oversaw Physical Readiness Training for over 200 Initial Military Training (IMT) Soldiers as a volunteer leader, resulting in a 10% increase in Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) scores.
- Selected as a narrator for three different military occupational specialty (MOS) graduations and was acknowledged as an exceptional instructor by Soldiers.
- Maintained and enforced high standards for military bearing, projecting confidence and enthusiasm when assisting Soldiers.
- Designed a presentation for Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), educating 62 Soldiers on SHARP, boosting awareness by 25%.
2022-2023
Operations Manager
United States Army · JBLM, Washington
- Supported the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP), Equal Opportunity (EO), and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs, fostering an environment of mutual respect, professionalism, and fair treatment for all personnel.
- Demonstrated proficiency and competency as an engaged leader, proving reliable during periods of high Operational Tempo (OPTEMPO) and consistently mentoring team members to resolve challenges.
- Led the battalion female mentorship program, which fostered professional growth and enhanced unit cohesion among participants.
- Served as a Master Resilience Trainer (MRT) Non-commissioned Officer (NCO), facilitating two resilience training sessions that enhanced the mental toughness of 113 soldiers.
2021-2022
Operations Manager
United States Army · JBLM, Washington
- Supported the Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP), Equal Opportunity (EO), and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) programs, fostering an environment based on mutual respect, professionalism, and fair treatment for all personnel.
- Served as a proficient, competent, and engaged leader, consistently relied upon during periods of high operational tempo to complete Soldier actions and resolve issues.
- Coordinated tool room support for Pacific Pathways rotations to multiple countries without disrupting support at the home station.
- Managed daily tasks and medical readiness for seven personnel, resulting in continuous tool room coverage for all mission sets.
2021-2021
Operations Manager
United States Army · JBLM, Washington
- Integrated the new Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program within shop platoons, leading to increased knowledge of fitness and reduced injury rates.
- Fostered and encouraged growth of junior personnel through the creation of trust and the consistent display of personal integrity, serving as a confident leader who frequently sacrificed personal time and resolved all personnel issues with minimal unit impact.
- Served as the Unit Movement Officer (UMO) during National Training Center (NTC) 21-09, overseeing the packing and safe shipment of nine containers valued at $4.3 million.
- Utilized expertise as a non-commissioned officer (NCO) to prepare and develop three personnel for the promotion board, resulting in all achieving a 'go' rating.
2020-2021
Program Manager
United States Army · NAS Sigonella, Sicily, Italy
- Coordinated maintenance across six squadrons for air/ground segment, Communications Information Systems (CIS) and radios, ensuring organizational schedules met annual flying commitments and maintenance needs for the $625 million RQ-4D fleet, Command and Control (C2) systems, Deployable Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Control Element (DUCE) and satellite/radio equipment.
- Maintained all maintenance information, control system files, Air Segment, Communications Information Systems (CIS), and equipment historical records; tracked Time Compliance, One Time Inspection, and modification status in coordination with outside agencies.
- Controlled all aspects of transfer and reception inspections in support of a $1.7 billion program.
- Created Squadron maintenance archives, enabling tracking for 300 life cycle items across five aircraft, thereby assuring the fleet's delivery.
2019-2020
Training Manager
United States Army · NAS Sigonella, Sicily, Italy
- Successfully completed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Intermediate Leadership Course, demonstrating proficiency in leadership principles and command responsibilities. This achievement occurred between April 1 and April 12, 2019.
2018-2019
Program Manager
United States Army · NAS Sigonella, Sicily, Italy
- Applauded by a Command Sergeant Major (CMSgt) for professionalism and confidence; instructed 93 international personnel as an Enlisted Association (EA) professional development leader.
- Hand-selected as a Squad Leader, overseeing two Staff Sergeants (SSGs) and two Sergeants First Class (SFCs); displayed impeccable military bearing during a leadership gap.
- Enriched resilience as a Master Resilience Trainer (MRT) trainer; coached optimism, mental agility, and self-awareness both inside and outside of work.
- Appointed as a United States North Atlantic Treaty Organization Alliance Ground Surveillance Force (NAGSF) Defense Travel System (DTS) reviewer; audited 456 vouchers for 104 personnel worth over $500,000 with zero accounting errors.
2017-2018
Logistics Operations Manager
United States Army · Ft. Campbell, Kentucky
- Satisfactorily completed the Unit Movement Officer Deployment Planning (8C-F17/553-F5 (MC)) course, Class 007-17, from June 20, 2017, to June 30, 2017, demonstrating proficiency in critical logistics and planning procedures.
2016-2017
Training Manager
United States Army · Ft. Campbell, Kentucky
- Successfully completed 80 hours of training and graduated from the Master Resilience Training Course, indicating a specialized skill set in promoting emotional, social, spiritual, and physical well-being.
- Served as the Avionics Technical Inspector (TI) in an Aviation Field Maintenance Company, supporting 30 UH-60M assigned to an Assault Helicopter Battalion, providing expertise, guidance, and mentorship to 110 UH-60 maintenance personnel; ensured maintenance procedures are conducted utilizing appropriate technical manuals, standing operating procedures, and safety guidelines.
- Oversaw diagnostic and troubleshooting procedures for aircraft avionics systems; reviewed aircraft forms and records and managed aircraft historical records to ensure compliance with Army publications; responsible for coordinating TI requirements with battalion production control priorities of work and workload.
- Voluntarily mentored new personnel within the unit who lacked an immediate Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC), providing guidance and promoting morale and productivity.
2015-2016
Operations Manager
United States Army · Ft. Riley, Kansas
- Supervised and provided technical guidance to subordinate personnel performing maintenance on aircraft avionics, Communications Security (COMSEC), flight control, and stabilization equipment, ensuring operational readiness.
- Evaluated maintenance operations and facilities for compliance with directives, technical manuals, work standards, safety procedures, and operational policies, maintaining high standards.
- Performed maintenance trend analysis and applied production control, quality control, and other maintenance management principles and procedures to avionic repair shop operations, optimizing efficiency.
- Instructed personnel and conducted technical training in aircraft avionic, Communications Security (COMSEC), flight control, and stabilization equipment maintenance, supply, and safety techniques, enhancing team capabilities.
2014-2015
Training and Operations Manager
United States Army · Ft. Riley, Kansas
- Consistently sought self-improvement, completing 24 semester hours towards a Bachelor's of Psychology degree with a 3.5 Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Created a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for barracks management, room assignment, work order requests, and room clearance procedures, which was adopted as the standard for the Garrison.
- Received laudatory comments and recognition from the Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Command Sergeant Major for hard work within the replacement company.
- Physically and mentally capable of accomplishing any assigned task and displayed confidence and superior stamina throughout the conduct of many duties.
2013-2014
Logistics and Supply Chain Manager
United States Army · Ft. Riley, Kansas
- Maintained 100% accountability of office equipment and Temporary Military Property (TMP) vans, valued in excess of $100,000, without any losses.
- Developed and maintained an accurate tracking mechanism for all classes of supply, significantly exceeding established standards.
- Performed duties as a Supply Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) for the 1st Replacement Company, providing services to over 400 soldiers monthly, involving supply requests, receipt, storage, issue, accountability, and preservation of equipment.
- Assisted in maintaining an automated supply system for organizational equipment and supplies, as well as all administrative supply and supporting document files.
2011-2013
Avionics Maintenance Operations Manager
United States Army · JBLM, Washington
- Orchestrated a comprehensive maintenance program, enabling the battalion to achieve over 500 flight hours in four months.
- Completed all assigned tasks with a focus on sound decision-making, resulting in a 65% reduction in open work orders.
- Recognized as a subject-matter expert on Avionics-related maintenance, sought daily by peers and subordinates for in-depth knowledge.
- Maintained a high level of discipline, reliability, and accountability as a sergeant within the platoon, setting an example for peers.
2008-2011
Avionics Mechanic
United States Army · JBLM, Washington
- Satisfactorily completed the Avionic Mechanic Course (15N10) from November 17, 2008, to June 4, 2009, demonstrating proficiency in aviation logistics.
Skills
Training Program Management
Training Management · Instructor-Led Training · Curriculum Development · Program of Instruction (POI) Design · Training Schedule Development · Trainee Assessment & Evaluation · Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Oversight
Operations & Logistics Management
Operations Management · Logistics Management · Program Management · Resource Management · Inventory Control · Equipment Accountability · Supply Chain Coordination · Maintenance Scheduling
Quality, Compliance & Safety
Quality Assurance · Compliance Management · Regulatory Inspection & Audit · Safety Procedures & Enforcement · Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention (SHARP) · Equal Opportunity (EO) Program Administration · Workplace Safety Standards
Leadership & Personnel Development
Team Leadership · Personnel Mentoring & Coaching · Promotion Board Preparation · Master Resilience Training (MRT) Facilitation · Performance Management · Instructor Certification & Development · Event Coordination
Technical & Specialized Expertise
Aircraft Maintenance Coordination · Avionics Systems Management · Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Operations · Global Combat Support System-Army (GCSS-A) · Aviation Ground Support Equipment (AGSE) Management · Test, Measurement & Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) Management
Additional Skills
Instructor Led Training
Education and certifications
Degree · 2017
BA, Psychology
Columbia College
Cert ·
D-SAACP Advocate Level 1
Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP)
Service record
- Branch
- U.S. Army
- Rank
- Sergeant First Class
- Years served
- 17+
- Specialty / MOS
- 15N/L
- Security clearance
- Top Secret/SCI