REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Aug. 23, 2017) -- Jonathan Bradford is the executive officer, or XO, of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center. The XO's primary responsibility is to assist the AMRDEC director in the performance of their duties.
Bradford regularly attends meetings with the director, takes notes, ensures actions are assigned to the correct people, and sees the process through to execution. He also acts as a representative of the workforce, providing a unique perspective to the director when decisions are made that may affect AMRDEC personnel.
"I have the privilege of working with leaders at AMRDEC and across the Army, so I have the ability to observe how key people operate and make decisions. What I like about my job is being able to learn from those individuals so that I can be a better leader. Ultimately, I want AMRDEC and the workforce to succeed. I am inspired when others succeed, and it makes me feel valued to know that I played a part (no matter how small) in their successes."
"I believe that I play an important role in enabling the Army's readiness because I help drive the Army's priorities in my own organization. In my mind, the Army sets its priorities, AMRDEC takes them on, and I help in the vision, planning, and the creation of a strategy for what it all means at AMRDEC."
Bradford has a technical background focused on IT and cyber. He holds multiple certifications in both IT systems and cybersecurity like Linux and Certified Ethical Hacking. During the Spring 2018, Bradford will graduate from the University of Alabama in Huntsville with a Master's degree in cybersecurity.
"I have had the unique perspective of serving both as an AMRDEC directorate XO for S3I and now as the Center-level XO. Before being the AMRDEC XO, I had the opportunity of participating in the AMCOM UpLIFT leadership program where I was selected to be the graduation speaker for my class in December 2016."
Bradford credits many of his colleagues and friends with encouraging him in his career. "Both my mentors and friends at work have poured into me in terms of career development and advice. I have the utmost gratitude for all their support and would not be in this career today without them."
Outside of work, Bradford explained he enjoys spending time with his wife, Leslie and two children, Jon Micah and Julie. "When I'm not busy doing the family thing or work, I'm either playing the drums at my local church or leading a college-age small group. I'm also an avid reader and video gamer."
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"Workforce Wednesday" highlights members of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center serving in a variety of capacities. The series is presented by the AMRDEC Public Affairs Office. For more information, or to nominate someone, email usarmy.redstone.rdecom-amrdec.mbx.pao@mail.mil.
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