REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama -- Leading space Soldiers is not always what is planned, but it is where one officer shines.
Lt. Col. John C. Rayburn, U.S. Special Operations Command Europe J39 Special Technical Operations chief, began his Army career when he enlisted in the Army in October 1993. Upon graduation from basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, he graduated from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in April 1994 before attending the Engineer Officer Basic Course.
Throughout his career Rayburn commanded in numerous positions such as a platoon leader, executive officer, company commander, training officer, a recruiting company commander, operations officer. He has served at Fort Carson, Colorado; Travis Air Force Base and Monterey, California; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Arizona; Georgia; South Korea; Germany; Afghanistan and other locations.
After becoming an FA40 space operations officer in 2004 he learned his trade and became more involved with U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command.
"I was assigned as an Army Space Support Team officer in charge in 2nd Space Company, 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade," Rayburn said. "I deployed with my team over to Kandahar, Afghanistan in which we were in direct support of the British 6th Infantry Division and NATO at that time in 2010."
Upon completion of the deployment, he became the 1st Engineer Battalion Standards and Evaluations chief. After that, Rayburn served as the G-33 Future Operations chief for SMDC from June 2011 to June 2012. I was then selected to become SMDC's first liaison officer to the Maneuver Support Center and Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
After serving for three years, Rayburn moved to serve as the Special Technical Operations, or STO, chief for Special Operations Command -- Europe, or SOCEUR, beginning in July 2015
There he serves as the STO chief and space officer. In this capacity, he tries to ensure SOCEUR takes advantage of available space and STO capabilities and incorporate those capabilities into their training and exercises, as well as, ensuring they are fully integrated into SOCEUR's support of U.S. European Command's concept plans and operation plans.
"The unit is great, it reminds me of my previous assignment which afforded me great autonomy," Rayburn said. "SOCEUR is a no-nonsense type of unit, in which, you are allowed and encouraged to focus your efforts on the things that actually matter, while at the same time knowing that you will also take care of all of the administrative requirements which must also be accomplished.
"What I most like about USASMDC/ARSTRAT from my experience serving in different capacities so far, is that the organization seems to have its focus where it should be, and that is directly on the Warfighter and how to help us maintain an 'Unfair Advantage' against any potential adversary," he added.
Rayburn talked about how his past assignments such as combat engineering, recruiting, space force enhancement missions and deployment, staff officer positions, working with doctrine and training, and now in the special operations community have helped get him where he is today.
"My past experiences have all broadened my perspective and provided me with a varied perspective concerning the Space plays an integral role in where we are as an Army, military, nation and global community and will do so for the foreseeable future," Rayburn said.
He took a few moments and discussed those who have been his biggest influences.
"I would have to say that personally would be my wife, Sue," Rayburn said. "She is the one who has been with me for coming up on 20 years in March. She has been with me through life's many challenges and joys, and has always been a stalwart friend and ally who I can always trust to be there for me if I ever need it. She is loyal and not a fair-weather friend only when things are good, but also when they aren't.
"Professionally, I would have to say that would be my teammates on our Army Space Support Team," he continued. "They reminded me of the camaraderie I enjoyed as a platoon leader with my Soldiers as a young second lieutenant. I became reminded of the great Soldiers we have in the Army and SMDC: Capt. Dave Keithan, Staff Sgt. Tomika Hall, Staff Sgt. Tim Richardson, Sgt. Jereme Bays and Spc. Michael Spring. These Soldiers reminded me that you can indeed have fun and remain a professional, even in the combat environment of Afghanistan during the surge of 2010.
"They never let me, SMDC, International Security Assistance Force or our nation down," Rayburn added. "Their efforts truly made our mission successful and I cannot thank them enough. They definitely have been the most significant influencers to me while I've served in the Army."
After more than 22 years in the Army, Rayburn had some advice for young Soldiers just starting out.
"Keep at it and don't get discouraged," Rayburn said. "Your efforts and hard work are not going unnoticed. You are the future and great things lie ahead. If you have an idea as to something that can be accomplished more efficiently, cheaper, etc., then don't be bashful and share it in a respectful manner.
"Always remember the age old truth, 'treat others as you would like to be treated," he added.
When discussing all the places he has served, Rayburn didn't hesitate to talk about his favorite duty station.
"Stuttgart, Germany was a great location to come to after having been at Fort Leonard Wood for three years," Rayburn said. "It is also my first assignment to Europe and our family has thoroughly enjoyed it so far.
"My favorite place to serve and live so far has been at Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California," he added. "It doesn't get any better than that."
Rayburn also talked about what he likes to do during his free time.
"I love to go watch my children play in their sports, whether it is football, basketball, softball or soccer, or go attend one of their recitals in piano or guitar," he said. "I love to spend time with my family, you never know how much time you will have left with them.
"My career is definitely not one which would've been blueprinted as the course to take in the Army," Rayburn added. "The one thing it does demonstrate, however, is that over time, as long as you perform your best, regardless of which assignments you get, things will take care of themselves."
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