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U.S. Joint Forces Command names 2009 Junior Civilian of the Year

An event planner for U.S. Joint Forces Command's (USJFCOM) Joint Training Division received top honors as the command's Junior Civilian of the Year for 2009.

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By Air Force Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine
USJFCOM Public Affairs

(SUFFOLK, Va. - July 30, 2010) -- An event planner for U.S. Joint Forces Command's (USJFCOM) Joint Training Division received top honors as the command's Junior Civilian of the Year for 2009.

Keith McNure Sr., a modeling and simulation (M&S) event planner, plans combatant command virtual training exercises. The exercises allow commanders, as well as their staffs and troops, the opportunity to practice techniques and procedures that will improve their decision-making ability on the battlefield.

"The training gives warfighters the proper experience that prepares them for real-world situations," McNure said. "It makes me feel good to know I am helping pave the way to train like we fight and in doing so, we can reduce incidents of fratricide."

McNure said his greatest accomplishment this year was helping plan several USJFCOM M&S firsts. "I participated [in] several of the first coalition exercises with the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada on the Joint Training Enterprise Network," said McNure, who served in the Air Force for 23 years.

Greg Sisson, McNure's supervisor, praised his drive to motivate the team to do more than is required in order to enhance the training environment.
"He is our 'go to' planner when it comes to Air Force models and simulations" said Sisson, calling McNure a tremendous asset to the team.

Air Force Lt. Col. Jeffrey Hebert, who works with McNure, praised his ability to set examples for the team. He said his coworker continuously raises the performance level of the whole group.

"Keith is the hardest working planner in our branch," Hebert said. "As an M&S planner, he knows his job as well or better than anyone else. He's the complete package."

"I'm like the conductor of an orchestra," said McNure, a resident of Smithfield, Va.

"Managing many different parts that work together to produce a masterpiece. We have an outstanding staff of military, contractors and civil service employees and they all contribute to the planning of the training events. It really was a team effort. "