Chalanya Bennett

Advise Senior Management & Director of Operations on 320 personnel training, skills, & requirements across 27 specialties, work with teams directly conducting audits identifying gaps in mission capabilities. Empower multi-service and National-level missions via advanced communications capabilities, innovative technology provisions, and robust cyber operations, encompassing AFNet, deployed mobile frameworks, software innovation, IT life-cycle coordination, engineering endeavors, public-key infrastructure, knowledge operations, information fortification, incident reaction, COMSEC backing, and network surveillance.  Directed $6M Air Force Network operations by enhancing mission capabilities through manpower allocations for 75 NSA missions.  By thinking outside the box, strengthened mission assurance through direct training programs & unit manpower decision briefs, while using POMs to secure fiscal year 2023 funding and winning Team of the Year.

Oversaw career field entry requirements, developed/managed training plan requirements, evaluated training effectiveness, monitoring career field manning health, collaborating with other career field managers on issues affecting their airmen, and providing quality improvement inputs on programs and policies.  Through Enlisted Development Teams, ensured the most qualified personnel were placed into key leadership & key development positions utilizing talent management practices and lessons learned. Collaborated with the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) to create the first active-duty direct duty technical training (D2T2) Pilot Program which enrolled the first Reservist via virtual cyber curriculum this effort was developed to save the Air Force $712M. Managed Education with Industry (EWI) program; defined learning objectives w/ industry partners tackling high level mission requirements for the Air Force, Combatant Commands and senior leaders.  Advised and assisted with developing and managing programs and PMPs to include the reporting of program activity for command programs proving quality reviews to each department & key leaders for decision determination. Authored Secretary of the Air Force bi-annual 2020 Knowledge Management AFMAN 33-396 re-write. This governance was set to support 30K DoD Air Force personnel with impending wing level reorg & deliver solutions for identified program gaps.

Oversaw 300+ personnel while serving as National Reconnaissance Office 3D leader to enhance performance and productivity. Was the guiding force behind over 1K military, contract, and civilian personnel executing a wide range of operations for Aerospace Data Facility-East, a multi-mission ground station supporting worldwide defense operations. Assisted in the preparation of Program Baseline documents. Managed a 20-member team that developed and delivered software acquisition requirement that equipped a $2B intel recon satellite program. Wrote joint security policy validating storage & handling protocols for 3 AORs, 600+ IC warfighters. Managed key projects running at peak performance by employing deep expertise to resolve operational and organizational challenges quickly and effectively. Delivered top-level plans (i.e., Acquisition Strategy, Statements of Work (SOWs), Technical Task Orders, and Performance Work Statements (PWS), etc.) and participated in contract strategies meetings that guided acquisition system-of-system requirements toward a successful contract award.  Focused a multifaceted team on the development of software lifecycle acquisitions.  Analyzed and formulated system requirements and developed system specifications and system architecture plans. Provided technical leadership for system design and integration requirements, and incorporated new plans, designs, and systems that led to ongoing operations.  Initiated system acquisitions lifecycle through sustainment’s, focusing on highlighting and managing risks to deliver a successful product. Negotiated IT mission support agreement by identifying Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) program roles and responsibilities to the Operations and Management team reduced auditing requirements by 50% and secured 500 circuits. Enforcing NRO security mandates establishing 1st COMSEC COOP location that provided redundant support to $350M program.

Directed IT training and services fully complied with 8570 requirements, Information Assurance policies, and best practices.  Served as a strategic partner to Senior Leaders by mentoring 18 leaders on IT ISR tools, while also collecting and delivering intelligence for DoD, Joint Staff, and agencies and members of intelligence community worldwide. Participated in and a thorough understanding of the DOD PPBE POM Processes. Orchestrated and developed a baseline training standard operating procedure (SOP) that encompassed full stand evaluation that reduced training redundancy. Facilitated mass IT upgrade of Defense Intelligence Operations Coordination Center by locating 525 systems for mandatory equipment replacements. Identified XACTA web training deficiency resolved deviations and redeployed program to restore 100% mission capabilities. Improved readiness & performance by launched & managed E-Learning Xacta AE Training course that offered content integration to 3.5K worldwide. Managed IT for 325 users, 986 systems, 7 networks allowed 24/7 operations and upheld maintenance standard for hard/software requirements within effectiveness for all system networks. Maintained & improved accountability and maintenance for $2.5M in cryptographic systems, hardware & support equipment by designing & devising new standard operating procedures (SOP). Oversaw IA patch installation on 400 operating systems after auto-update failure occurred which ultimately ensured 98% network security compliance. As team lead provided offsite daily IA & IT support to 300+ joint intel Analysis personnel this anchored the site’s 96% satisfaction rate. Drove Director initiative for the NIPR/SIPR CAC login project with PKI team support which streamlined & identified program access for 5K users & empower multi service & National-level missions via advanced communications capabilities, innovative technology provision, & robust cyber operations encompassing AFNet.

Protected integrity of mission-critical systems by managing Cryptographic Access Program (CAP) and electronic key Wing material that directly supports the President of the United States and top US leaders globally.  Interprets and implements DoD, AF, DISA and NSA circulars, manuals, regulation and directives to prevent information security compromises.  Headed semi-annual inventory of 4,000+ COMSEC assets delivered EKMS upgrade 12 months ahead of schedule. After returning from an assignment to Turkey, assumed responsibility to optimize the performance of a team of 200 Communications Security Managers & 600+ users by providing guidance, training, & coaching on systems.

Regularly inspected 20 centers to assess capabilities and performance, initiating changes as needed to eliminate operational, training, and security gaps. Served as acting Operations Manager in absence of regular Operations Manager due to health issues. Enhanced performance of 39 Work Center Managers working in 20 Air Force Security Centers by providing ongoing training and coaching for over 240 personnel in unit.