Michael Locklear

As an operator and launcher maintainer, I operated and maintained the Patriot missile system. A system that can track, launch, and destroy incoming threats, like aircraft, drones, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. I was responsible for a variety of tasks, such as system initialization and emplacement, operator-level system maintenance and repair, and missile resupply and reload. As an operator and maintainer, I had to train and certify with a crew to prepare for deployments in which I had to be physically and mentally fit to perform under pressure. to perform under pressure. I had to develop important skills like teamwork, discipline, and leadership. Being in the U.S. Army, I developed basic skills to move as a unit and train others. I also have experience driving the launchers in which I operated a truck that pulled a trailer on which the launching system was mounted. I also operated a vehicle that transported missiles. On the vehicle that transported missiles, it had a crane that I also operated, which was used to onload and offload the missiles for the launching system. I deployed twice to the Middle East while in the military. In 2021, I deployed to Jordan, which was a combat zone for nine months, and in 2023, I was deployed to the UAE for nine months.