Master Sergeant James P. Kendall is the First Sergeant for the Air Force Manpower Analysis Agency, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. He is responsible for the morale, health, and welfare of over 365 personnel including six operating locations. He is the Commander’s key advisor for issues pertaining to personnel issues and is responsible for maintaining good order and discipline.
Master Sgt. Kendall enlisted in the Air Force in June 2002 as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician and reclassed as a Postal Specialist, graduating from the Adjutant General School, U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute in October 2002. In June 2012, he retrained as a Paralegal Specialist graduating from the Paralegal Apprentice School in August 2012. He has served in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq, Operation JOINT GUARDIAN in Kosovo, and as Postmaster in Hungary setting up the postal services in support of their Heavy Airlift Wing.
Prior to the current position, he served as the First Sergeant for the 959th Medical Operations Squadron, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas.
EDUCATION
2002 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas
2002 Adjutant General School, U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute, Ft. Jackson, S.C.
2009 Air Force Airmen Leadership School, Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii
2012 Paralegal Apprentice Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2012 Military Justice Administrators Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Air Force Noncommissioned Professional Enhancement Course, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
2013 National Crime Victim’s Law Institute, Portland, Ore.
2014 Aveta Business Institute Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
2014 Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Peterson AFB, Colo.
2015 Paralegal Craftsman Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Associate of Applied Science, Paralegal Studies, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2015 Associate of Applied Science Information Management, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Defense Orientation Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2016 Personal Trainer Certification, City American Health Services by correspondence
2016 Air Force Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II by correspondence
2017 Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy by correspondence
2017 Bachelor of Arts, Organizational Management, Ashford University, Chandler, Ariz.
2017 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2019 International Academy, Criminology & Profiling Course by correspondence
2020 Master of Science, Organizational Development and Leadership, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas
2021 Project Management Diploma by correspondence
2021 University of Florida Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Certification by correspondence
2021 Integrated Resilience Training, Nellis AFB, Nev.
2021 Air Combat Command, Air Operations Center Course, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
2021 Air Force Judge Advocate General School, Accident Investigation Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2021 Air Force Negotiation Center, Basic Mediation Course by correspondence
2022 Air Force Negotiations & Alternate Dispute Resolution Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2022 Air Force First Sergeant Academy, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Ala.
2023 Transformation Academy, Professional Life Coach Certification by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
- November 2002–November 2004, Postal Clerk, 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base (AB), Japan (May 2003–August 2003, Postal Clerk, Camp Sather, Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq)
- December 2004–April 2006, Custodian of Postal Effects, 425th Air Base Squadron, Izmir Air Station, Turkey
- May 2006–May 2009, Official Mail Manager, 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano AB, Italy (July 2007–October 2007, Postal Clerk, Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo)
- June 2009–June 2012, Postmaster U.S. Embassy, 4th Pacific Air Force, Air Postal Squadron, Canberra, Australia
5. September 2012–February 2016, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Military Justice/Civil Law, 92nd Air Base Wing, Fairchild AFB, Wash.
6. February 2016–March 2019, Defense Paralegal, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
7. March 2019–May 2019, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Legal Office, 432nd Wing, Creech AFB, Nev.
8. May 2022–July 2022, Law Office Superintendent/ Military Justice/ Litigation/ Operations Law, Staff Judge Advocate, Nellis AFB, Nev.
9. October 2022–June 2024, First Sergeant, 959th Medical Operations Squadron, Brooke Army Medical Center, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Texas
10. June 2024 – Present, First Sergeant, Air Force Manpower Analysis Agency, Randolph AFB, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
OTHER AWARDS AND HONORS
2003 PACAF Communication & Information Postal Airman of the Year
2008 USAFE Communication & Information Postal Airman of the Year
2017 AFLOA/ADC Central Region NCO of the Year
2021 Southern Nevada Safety Officer Award Recognition (SOAR) Program Honoree
2021 Air Combat Command Outstanding Paralegal SNCO of the Year
2022 United States Air Force Warfare Center, Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award
2023 959 Medical Group Air Force Association Alamo Chapter Kellogg Award
2023 959 Medical Group First Sergeant of the Year
2024 959 Medical Group Air Force Association Alamo Chapter Kellogg Award
2024 959 Medical Group Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award
2024 959 Medical Group Tuskegee Award
OCCUPATIONAL BADGES
Postal Specialist (2002)
Paralegal Specialist (2012)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
National Society of Leadership and Success