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CHIEF MASTER SGT. JAMES A. LAWRENCE

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Chief Master Sergeant James A. Lawrence is the Command Chief for the 157th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire Air National Guard, Pease Air National Guard Base. He is the principal advisor to the commander and his senior staff on matters of health, welfare, morale, professional development and the effective utilization of 1,300 military personnel. 

Chief Lawrence began his military career in June 1980 and graduated from the Military Personnel Apprentice Course, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. during September 1980. Chief Lawrence served six years in the United States Air Force and is currently in his 30th year with the New Hampshire Air National Guard. He has deployed to Ali Air Base Iraq, Istres, France and Pisa, Italy. In support of Operation Deny Fligh. 

Throughout his career, Chief Lawrence has served in a myriad of roles, including Military Personnel Craftsman, Personal Affairs Craftsman, Personnel Systems Manager, Base Education & Training Manager, Mission Support Flight Superintendent and Force Support Squadron Superintendent. Prior to his current position, the chief was the Superintendent, 157th Force Support Squadron, Pease ANGB, N.H. 

EDUCATION
1982 NCO Preparatory Course, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.
1984 NCO Leadership School, Elmendorf AFB, Ark.
1990 NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
1993 Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Granite State College, N.H.
1990 Associates of Applied Science, Human Resource Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
1996 U.S. Air Force Senior NCO Academy, Maxwell AFB, Ala. by correspondence
2002 ANG Chief Master Sergeant Executive Seminar, Andrews AFB, Md.
2009 Contemporary Base Issues Course, Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H.
2009 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Gunther Annex, Ala.
2014 Command Chief Master Sergeant Orientation Course, Lackland AFB, Texas
2014 Enhanced Protocol Training Course, Camp Dawson, W.Va.
2015 U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Training Course, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
2016 Leadership Challenge Program II (LCP2), Concord, N.H.

ASSIGNMENTS
1. June - July 1980, Trainee, U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. July 1980 - September 1980, Student, Military Personnel Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, Miss.
3. September 1980 - May 1982, Military Personnelist, 46th Aerospace Defense Wing (Strategic Air Command), Peterson AFB, Colo.
4. May 1982 - May 1986, Military Personnel Specialist, 21st Combat Support Group (AAC), Elmendorf AFB, Ark.
5. February 1987 - December 1987, Personal Affairs Specialist, 157th Combat Support Squadron, Pease AFB, N.H.
6. December 1987 - June 1988, Military Personnel Craftsman, 157th Mission Support Squadron, Pease AFB, N.H.
7. June 1988 - December 1997, Personnel Systems Manager, 157th Mission Support Squadron, Pease Air National Guard Base, N.H. (May 1995 - June 1995, Personnel Support for Contingency Operations, Operation Deny Flight, Istres, France) (November 1996 - Operation Deny Flight, Personnel Support for Contingency Operations, Pisa Airbase, Italy)
10. December 1997 - December 2000, Base Education & Training Manager, 157th Mission Support Flight, Pease ANGB, N.H.
11. January 2001 - August 2009, Mission Support Flight Superintendent, 157th Mission Support Flight, Pease ANGB, N.H. (January 2005 - May 2005, Group Command Chief Master Sergeant/Superintendent, 407 Air Expeditionary Group, Ali Base, Iraq)
13. Sept 2009 - March 2014, Superintendent, 157th Force Support Squadron, Pease ANGB, N.H.
14. Mar 2014 – June 2017, Command Chief Master Sergeant, 157th Air Refueling Wing, Pease ANGB, N.H.

MAJOR AWARDS & DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal 
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award 
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with seven oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
Iraq Campaign Medal 
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal with bronze service star
Air Force Overseas Long tour Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Short tour Ribbon
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
Air Force Training Ribbon
New Hampshire National Guard Commendation Medal
New Hampshire National Guard State Active Service Ribbon with three arrow devices
New Hampshire National Guard Service Bar with State of New Hampshire Seal
Louisiana Emergency Service Medal

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1988 State of N.H., Airman of the Year (NCO category)
2005 Led first enlisted integration efforts between U.S. Air Force personnel and first post-Saddam Iraqi Flying Squadron 23
2005 Significantly improved relations between U.S. Air Force, USA (5,000 soldiers) and coalition partners, Ali Base, Iraq 
2005 Chartered first ever Ali Base/Camp Adder, Iraq (Airmen & Soldiers Council) with USA Command SGM’s
2007-2010 Original member of the National Guard Bureau’s (NGB/ANG) Personnel Field Advisory Council (PFAC)
2009 Led Senior Enlisted oversight efforts to stand up, merge and integrate the new Force Support Squadron (FSS)
2009 Annual Leadership Award, New Hampshire Federal Executive Association 
2012 Led leadership efforts to establish the Mission Support Group’s Superintendent Forum 
2013 Led Force Support Squadron Senior Enlisted oversight efforts in the preparation and successful completion of the Wing’s Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection
2014 Revitalized Wing-wide Enlisted Councils who turn became highly productive, highly cohesive teams
2015 Led efforts to create the Wing’s first Total Force NCO Professional Enhancement Seminar (NCOPES)
2016 Instrumental in the establishment of the New Hampshire National Guard Senior Enlisted leadership
2017 Senior Enlisted Adviser to three Wing Commanders and two Assistant Adjutants General for Air

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
The Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States
Air Force Sergeants Association

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Staff Sergeant September 1985
Technical Sergeant December 1992
Master Sergeant February 1995
Senior Master Sergeant February 1998
Chief Master Sergeant May 2001

(Current as of May 2017)