MSgt James Ott is a Squad Leader, 307th Security Forces Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. He gives direction and guidance to his subordinates, in order for them to grow and prosper in their Air Force career. His duties consist of supervising his thirteen man squad and updating senior leadership on all details to include the well-being, recognition, and professional development of his team. He also meets with unit leadership to discuss, plan, and execute policies, goals, and objectives to secure mission readiness. Additionally, as the lead Self Aid Buddy Care Instructor he not only trains 307th SFS member, but has been tasked on multiple occasions to conduct classes for 307th Bomb Wing staff and other wing units.
MSgt Ott entered into the armed services on 23 April 1993 as a M1A1 Abrams Tanker in the Louisiana Army National Guard. After completion of Army Basic Military Training and Advance Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentukey, he was stationed at Fort Humbug, Shreveport, LA where he advanced from driver to achieve the position of Gunner of the M1A1 Abrams tank. On June 22, 2003 Sergeant Ott re-enlisted into the Air Force Reserves and was assigned to the 917th Security Forces Squadron. Since his enlistment in the Air Force Reserves, he deployed to Manas AB, Kyrgyzstan in 2006 and was assigned as the NCOIC for the off-base patrols. He also completed next deployment at Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait in 2010; where he was assigned as Flight Chief. During this deployment MSgt Ott worked jointly with the Army scheduling and conducting multiple joint patrols outside the wire of Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait during Operation New Dawn. Sergeant Ott served with 917th BW from 16 June 2003 until it was inactivated on 8 January 2011 and continued his service with the 307th BW to the present day. He returned to Ali Al Salem AB, Kuwait in 2018, where he was assigned as Flight Chief overseeing more than 80 personnel, scheduling more 200 Security Escort Teams for incoming and outgoing troops. Furthermore, Sergeant Ott has also been TDY to multiple locations such as RAF Fairford, UK in support of Operation Ample Strike, 37th BDE Prince Hashim Royal BDE, King Abdullah II AB, Jordan in support of the Eager Lion joint exercise, and Osan AB, South Korea where he was coined by leadership for his performance.