SYLVIA SWINDELL
Colorado Springs,CO
Summary
Dedicated Air Force Materiel Management Technician and Academy Military Trainer with nine years of experience in logistics, leadership development, and security cooperation advising. Proven ability to mentor and train over 1,000 cadets, manage $1.2M in budgets, and coordinate global logistics operations supporting DoD and DoS objectives. Currently seeking admission to a Master’s in Human Resources and Organizational Development to enhance leadership skills and deepen expertise in talent management, organizational effectiveness, and workforce development. Passionate about mentoring, team building, and optimizing human capital strategies to drive mission success and organizational growth.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Academy Military Trainer
United States Air Force Academy
02.2024 - Current
- Led, mentored, and developed over 103 cadets in military training, leadership, and character development, fostering a culture of discipline, accountability, and excellence
- Provided guidance on military customs, courtesies, and professional standards, ensuring cadets met USAFA and Air Force expectations
- Conducted performance evaluations, counseling, and feedback sessions to enhance cadet leadership growth and professional development
- Coordinated and executed military training events, including field exercises, parades, and leadership challenges, reinforcing readiness and resilience
- Enforced discipline and standards through inspections, accountability checks, and mentorship, shaping future Air Force officers
- Served as Unit Safety Representative, identifying and mitigating potential hazards, conducting safety briefings, and ensuring compliance with USAFA and Air Force safety regulations
- Collaborated with USAFA faculty, leadership, and peers to integrate military, academic, and athletic development, teaching 1K students leadership principles and Air & Space Force knowledge to prepare them for future officer roles
- Managed administrative tasks, including training records, cadet evaluations, security clearances, Government Travel Card (GTC) accounts, and Defense Travel System (DTS) management, ensuring compliance with USAFA and Air Force regulations
- Oversaw a $7K budget for the Commander, ensuring proper allocation of funds for training, supplies, and operational needs
- Advised cadets on career progression, leadership opportunities, and professional development pathways within the Air Force
Customer Service Flight, Section Chief
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
04.2023 - 01.2024
- Led unit CSS of 6 personnel, manages commander's programs including Evaluations/Decorations/Special Duty pay/Duty Status for 85 personnel
- Advised Commander and Squadron leadership on all personnel issues, Coordinates with local FSS/MPF, resolved 1.5K records conflicts/MilPDS discrepancies/Case Management System inquiries
- Led Unit Control Center, Drug Demand Reduction Program, Leave Web, Quarters notices, medical & Recall Roster requirements
Resource Advisor
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
11.2022 - 01.2024
- Managed squadron budget of $1.2M for Operations and Maintenance funds, Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests, and 4 Government Card purchase Holders
- Analyzed financial management trends and practices; developed guidance for the efficient use of unit funds/resources
- Developed quarterly and annual financial plans; monitored daily transactions and reported the status of funds to the commander weekly
- Procured $1M in additional funds to outfit the unit with new gear, communication equipment, and training courses
Gender Advisor
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
02.2022 - 01.2024
- Manages unit’s Women, Peace, and Security Program of 20 personnel
- Outlined standard operating procedures and integrated data analysis into the Air Advisor mission set
- Integrated gender equality considerations for Partner Nation and stakeholder awareness
- Designs and delivers realistic and pragmatic gender strategies and programming interventions that will lead to positive gender equality outcomes
- Conducts gender assessments, reviews and audits to assess ways to continually target involvement of Partner Nation’s servicewomen in meaningful leadership roles
- Prepare communications materials that highlight the gender equality programming, successes and lessons learnt in Air Advisor missions
Logistics Air Advisor
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
01.2020 - 01.2024
- Filled selectively manned position for Logistics subject matter expert to guide Secretary of Defense directed Building Partner Capability missions for USAFRICOM area of responsibility
- Coordinates with Department of State and 6 higher headquarters’ military staffs, 54 US Embassies
- Develops strategic engagements to build militaries in Africa, South America and Asia
- Provides country assessments for logistics capabilities for stakeholders
Operations & Mission Planning Flight
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
12.2020 - 11.2022
- Managed command and control operations, scheduling, personnel recovery assets & mission tracking systems for 74 advisors in support of DoD & DoS strategic efforts
- Deployed Advisor teams, equipping $275K equipment to assess, train, and advise African nations to meet the joint United States and Partner Nation defense objectives
Equipment Accountability Manager
Joint Base Lewis McChord
07.2017 - 01.2020
- Managed 85 accounts, guided 180 equipment custodian's responsibilities, supervised 4 airmen, verified 126 Chief Financial Officer items, 6K weapons, and 3K high visibility assets worth $125M with Air Force Equipment Management Systems
- Oversaw Command Force Equipment Management Office requirements to establish total asset visibility for 28 base agencies and three geographically separated units
- Collaborated with joint base personnel and 440th Supply Chain Operations Squadron on equipment stock levels, ordering equipment, and redistribution process
Decentralized Materiel Support Technician
8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron
01.2017 - 07.2017
- Managed 14K assets worth $52M in Area of Responsibility’s largest C-17A fleet
- Utilized logistics system to fulfill mission-critical requirements, processing high-priority orders
- Liaised with higher headquarters to manage the Wheel and Tire program, coordinated with Boeing to receive critical parts for missions, and with the Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron to turn in assets for accountability purposes
Maintenance Support Liaison
Joint Base Lewis McChord
05.2015 - 01.2017
- Supervised tracking and documentation for mission capable high priority requests
- Coordinated with Item Managers for depot level sourcing and support
- Utilized Asset Management for reports, tracking asset movement with the Enterprise Solution-Supply/LIMS-EV program supporting 48 C-17A aircraft
- Liaised with Boeing personnel and Headquarters Air Mobility Command for asset procurement and lateral support movements, and maintenance back shop for local manufacturing & fabrication
Aircraft Part Store Technician
Joint Base Lewis McChord
12.2013 - 05.2015
- Prepared Mobility Readiness Spares Package (MRSP)/Mission Support Kits (MSK) for contingency operations
- Maintains 48 C-17A Tail Number Bins (TNB) and reviewed Maintenance Information System (G081) & aircraft form evaluations
- Processed routine/priority/mission capable requirements and researched manuals, technical orders, and master item identification control with the D043 system
Education
Leadership & leadership Development -
University of Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO05.2024
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Arizona Global Campus
Chandler, AZ04-2024
Associate Degree - Logistics
Community College of the Air Force
Montgomery, AL01.2015
Skills
- MS Office Suite
- Power BI
- Report generation and analysis
- Supply chain management
- Communication
- Critical thinking
- Process improvement
- Customer service
- Assessment Management
- Emotional Intelligence
- Lesson plan development
- Resource procurement
- Leadership development
Awards
- United States Air Force Academy, Group Two 2024, General Velma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award Winner
- 621 Contingency Response Wing 2023, General Velma Vaught Visionary Leadership Award Winner
- 621 Contingency Response Wing 2023, Diversity & Inclusion Team Award Winner
- 621 Air Mobility Advisory Group, 1st Quarter Non-Commission Officer Award Winner
- Air Mobility Command 2022 Diversity & Inclusion Team Award Winner
- 621 Contingency Response Wing, 2022 LATINA Style Distinguished Military Service Award Winner
- 627 Logistics Readiness Squadron 2016 LogR Winner
Community Experience
- Planned and executed multiple engagements with the community to include Food drives, animal rescue facilities, habitat for humanity, event planning for squadron and base level events.
- Held Booster club positions in two different units as President and Secretary.
- Led a team of 30 Airmen and Arnold Hall staff in executing the Falcon Foundation Banquet, which raised over $5 million in scholarships for future Air Force officer candidates, directly supporting the Academy’s mission of developing the next generation of leaders.
Timeline
Academy Military Trainer
United States Air Force Academy
02.2024 - Current
Customer Service Flight, Section Chief
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
04.2023 - 01.2024
Resource Advisor
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
11.2022 - 01.2024
Gender Advisor
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
02.2022 - 01.2024
Operations & Mission Planning Flight
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
12.2020 - 11.2022
Logistics Air Advisor
Joint Base McGuire-Dix Lakehurst
01.2020 - 01.2024
Equipment Accountability Manager
Joint Base Lewis McChord
07.2017 - 01.2020
Decentralized Materiel Support Technician
8th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron
01.2017 - 07.2017
Maintenance Support Liaison
Joint Base Lewis McChord
05.2015 - 01.2017
Aircraft Part Store Technician
Joint Base Lewis McChord
12.2013 - 05.2015
Associate Degree - Logistics
Community College of the Air Force
Leadership & leadership Development -
University of Colorado Springs
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of Arizona Global Campus
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