Comments:
OFFICIAL MILITARY BIO:
SSgt James “Rocky” Schmitz serves as a Joint Terminal Attack Control Instructor (JTAC-I), assigned to the JTAC Qualification Course, 6 Combat Training Squadron (CTS), Nellis AFB, NV. SSgt Schmitz instructs students in the JTAC Qualification Course which completes the requirements for JTAC Initial Qualification Training by providing and evaluating the fundamental skill sets for new JTACs across the Department of Defense
SSgt Schmitz enlisted in the Air Force on 14 July 2004. He entered into Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) training in August of 2005, after spending 10 months in the Combat Control pipeline, and graduated the TACP school house 8 December 2005. His first assignment was Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he achieved Combat Mission Ready status while supporting 3rd Infantry Division. After only one year on station SSgt Schmitz relocated to Camp Red Cloud, Republic of Korea, supporting the 2nd Infantry Division. His follow on assignment was to Fort Carson, Colorado, in support of the 4th Infantry Division. SSgt Schmitz deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from October 2008 – April 2009, where he served as a TACP Journeyman with 1st and 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division as well as 1st Cavalry Division. He deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from December 2009 – June 2010, where he served as a JTAC and an Enlisted Battalion Air Liaison Officer (EBALO) with 1-12 Infantry Battalion, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. He again deployed in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from March – September 2011, with 2-18 Infantry Battalion, 170th Infantry Brigade, where he served as the senior enlisted JTAC. SSgt Schmitz deployed in support of Operation SPARTAN SHIELD from February – October 2013, serving as an EBALO with 1-22 Infantry Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. SSgt Schmitz volunteered as a JTAC Instructor and became a member of the 6th Combat Training Squadron in January 2014.
EDUCATION
2004, August, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2004, October, Combat Control Orientation Course, Medina Annex Lackland AFB, TX
2004, November, SV-80 Air Force Basic Survival School, Fairchild AFB, WA
2005, January, Combat Control Operator Fundamentals, Keesler AFB, MS
2005, June, SV-84A Under Water Egress, Fairchild AFB, WA
2005, December, Tactical Air Command and Control Course, Hurlburt Field FL
2006, April, SV-82A Special Survival Training, Fairchild AFB, WA
2006, November, Air Force Training Course, Fort Stewart, GA
2008, May, Army Basic Airborne School, Fort Benning, GA
2008, July, Progressive F.O.R.C.E. Concepts Full Spectrum Operator Course, Nellis AFB, NV
2008, September, Airman Leadership School, Peterson AFB, CO
2009, July, Joint Terminal Attack Control Qualification Course, Nellis AFB, NV
2009, June, National Strength & Conditioning Association Internship, Colorado Springs, CO
2010, November, TACP Craftsman Course, Hurlburt Field, FL
2013, September, Combat Life Saver Course, Camp Buehring, Kuwait
2013, October, CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
2014, January, Air Force Academic Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, NV
2014, February, Gym Jones Fundamentals, Salt Lake City, UT
2014, March, Joint Terminal Attack Control Instructor Course, Nellis AFB, NV
2014, April, CrossFit Rowing Trainer Course, Gilbert, AZ
2014, May, Strong First Kettlebell Course, Tucson, AZ
2014, June, Gym Jones Intermediate Level Programming & Practical Application, Salt Lake City, UT
2014, June, Associates Degree of Information Technology Systems, Community College of the Air Force
2014, June, CrossFit Movement & Mobility Trainer, St. Paul, MN
2014, August, Military Athlete: Advanced Programming Course, Jackson, WY
2014, August, Gym Jones Advanced Program & Design Theory, Salt Lake City, UT
ASSIGNMENTS
January 2006 – January 2007, 15th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Stewart, GA
January 2007 – January 2008, 604th Air Support Operations Squadron, Camp Red Cloud, Korea
January 2008 – January 2014, 13th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Carson, NV
January 2014 – Present, 6th Combat Training Squadron, Nellis AFB, NV
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Commendation Medal with Two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Air Force Combat Action Medal
Combat Readiness Medal With Three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Medal
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Iraq Campaign Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon – Short Tour with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Boarder
Air Force Longevity Service Award with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
NATO ISAF Medal
