Nickie Watson
Travis Air Force Base,CA
Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Theodore Roosevelt
Summary
Accomplished professional with 20 years of experience leading and managing military and civilian personnel while maintaining the Minuteman 3 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). I am a system matter expert in the New START treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation. I have been on many missions escorting Russian inspectors to all 18 ICBM, Submarine, Heavy bomber bases, and facilities in the United States.
I am currently a training manager for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency that is well-versed in selecting trainers, curriculum, and course plans to achieve demanding training objectives. Effective at leading courses on a wide range of nuclear weapon topics. I am prepared to offer 10 years of progressive training experience and take on a challenging new role with your company. I am a team-oriented self-starter with 10 years in training, staff development, management, and human resources. Exceptional communication, analytical and organizational skills.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Training Manager, New START Escort Division
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
06.2022 - Current
- Conducted orientation sessions and organized on-the-job training for new hires to get them certified within 120 days after arriving.
- Alternated training methods to diversify instruction, innovation by using 3-D models to enhance training and learning opportunities and enhance program success.
- Organized and edited training manuals, multimedia visual aids, power point, and other educational materials.
- Delivered wide variety of courses focused nuclear weapons, New START treaty, and Russian Federation topics to enhance communication, team cohesion and group performance.
- Communicated all learning and performance objectives, schedules, and training assessments to upper management.
- Analyzed effectiveness of training programs at all levels and recommended updates.
- Led daily, weekly, and monthly mentoring, counseling, and feedback sessions.
- Reviewed and edited all training materials for accuracy and company policy compliance.
- Trained staff during demonstrations, meetings, conferences, and workshops.
- Evaluated success of training programs and recommended improvements to upper management to enhance effectiveness.
Weapons Specialist, Strategic Offensive Arms
Defense Threat Reduction Agency
06.2019 - Current
- Subject matter expert on Minuteman III ICBM, Trident II SLBM, B-1B Heavy bomber, B-2A Heavy Bomber, B-52H Heavy Bomber, and Missile Defense ground based interceptors.
- Worked weekends and long hours on New START escort missions while escorting Russian weapon inspectors at United State nuclear bases, and facilities.
- Served in on-call capacity for last-minute or late-night taskings from leadership to provide knowledge for critical decision making.
- Rated job performance for six subordinates providing timely and effective feedback to enhance them as a leader and team member.
- Memorized strategic offensive arms weapon systems and treaty policies and led training for assigned personnel.
- Managed an $1.8 million budget for logistic, lodging, and provisions for 18 New START mission within the United States annually.
Supervisor, Missile Maintenance Handling Section
United States Air Force
07.2016 - 07.2019
- Trained team personnel on Minuteman III (MMIII) missile handling procedures to optimize mission and maintenance activities.
- Convey commander for 100 MMIII missile movements and responsible for team during safe transport of 140 thousand pounds weapon system.
- Completed acceptance inspections for MMIII boosters, equipment, and associated records to check compliance with safety and operational requirements.
- Leveraged quality control and production knowledge to improve base and field operations.
- Orchestrated efficient maintenance of MMIII weapon system for 150 ICBM launch facilities.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable DoD standards, policies, and Air Force technical orders to promote safe working environment for personnel and MMIII weapon system.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, trouble shooting, evaluate solutions, and make decisions.
- Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic maintenance schedule, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and Air Force demands.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
Supervisor, Missile Maintenance Equipment Section
United States Air Force
07.2016 - 11.2017
- Supervised employees working and maintaining MMIII critical mission equipment.
- Responsible for over 200 Nuclear Certified Equipment and vehicles valued at $17 million.
- Resolved day-to-day operational issues to reach short- and long-term performance goals.
- Created preventive maintenance and inspection lists and schedules to minimize breakdowns or disruptions in production processes.
- Reviewed production, quality and maintenance reports and statistics to plan and modify maintenance activities.
- Developed training programs to improve employee skills and productively utilize labor.
- Pursued and suggested operational improvements to enhance quality, improve productivity and reduce costs.
Facility Manager, Missile Alert Facility
United States Air Force
07.2011 - 07.2016
- Skillfully managed facility operations as head manager for multi-million-dollar Missile Alert Facility.
- Evaluated facility operations and personnel for safety and health regulations compliance.
- Led 15 management staff during day to day facility operations.
- Conducted daily, weekly, and monthly inspections of facility grounds, external structure, systems, and mission critical equipment.
- Oversaw all aspects of equipment installation, maintenance, and repair for both internal and external services.
- Tracked and documented operational and maintenance records to perform maximum performance.
- Maintained facility grounds, equipment, and safety compliance.
- Ordered, maintained, and distributed supplies and inventory.
- Reviewed and oversaw construction and renovation projects.
- Drove and operated heavy and light wheeled trucks and tracked vehicles to maintain the grounds and remove snow during the winter.
Instructor, Missile Maintenance
United States Air Force
11.2008 - 07.2011
- Applied various teaching aids and hands on experience to minimize learning gaps and instruct and motivate students.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Observed other instructors and lecturers, gathering valuable techniques to be implemented into future lectures and courses.
- Emphasized safe working and classroom conditions and practices.
- Tested students on materials presented in workshops and classes to assess grasp of material.
- Used learning assessments to regularly monitor student understanding of class concepts and materials.
- Monitored student progress through test administration and adapted learning plans to optimize progress.
- Developed classroom guidelines and assignment rules to communicate expectations.
- Optimized learning plans, quantifying student progress through test administration.
- Reviewed class and student records to look for areas in need of improvement and implement plans of action.
- Created and implemented written and oral assessments.
- Created guides and course materials to reiterate lecture information and help students.
Technician, Missile Maintenance
United States Air Force
05.2005 - 07.2008
- Completed worked on (MMIII ICBM) weapon system to maintain high strategic alert rate of 99%.
- Completed inspections and any basic repair need to uphold strict Air Force performance standards.
- Supported Malmstrom Air Force Base operations by dispatching to missile fields daily to maintain 150 MMIII ICBM.
- Performed duties in accordance with applicable DoD standards, policies, and Air Force technical orders r to promote safe working environment for personnel and MMIII weapon system.
- Performed routine maintenance on launch and support equipment for ICBM and LF operations.
- Conducted tests of components and systems to evaluate performance and identify concerns.
Scheduler, Missile Maintenance Teams (MMT)
United States Air Force
04.2004 - 05.2005
- Managed maintenance team of 40 employees and coordinated missile maintenance schedule according to priority level.
- Developed maintenance reports and work orders to assess program success and inform operational decisions.
- Input data Integrated maintenance data system (IMDS) to create updated status reports for quick reference of maintenance progress and work orders for Minuteman III ICBM (MMIII).
- Tracked maintenance activity using IMDS software to confirm compliance with industry requirements.
- Provided safety education and technical training to maintenance crew to establish equipment repair standards.
- Operated multi-line telephone system to independently handle over 50 calls each day.
- Balanced employee availability, personnel schedules, and maximum load levels when scheduling appointments.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Homeland Security
07.2025
Missile & Space Systems - Aeronautical Engineering
11.2016
Skills
- Safety Regulations
- Testing Devices
- Safety Protocols
- Maintenance Requirements
- Building Repairs
- Intelligence Operations
- Quality Assurance
- Product Inventories
- Procedures Oversight
- Safety Measures
- Training Procedures
- Mission Planning
- Repair Procedures
- Maintenance Oversight
- Individual Trainings
- Staff Leadership
- Develop Training Programs
- Training Methods
- Public Speaking
- Classroom Instruction
- Team Direction
- Time Management
- Weapons Management
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Timeline
Training Manager, New START Escort Division - Defense Threat Reduction Agency
06.2022 - Current
Weapons Specialist, Strategic Offensive Arms - Defense Threat Reduction Agency
06.2019 - Current
Supervisor, Missile Maintenance Handling Section - United States Air Force
07.2016 - 07.2019
Supervisor, Missile Maintenance Equipment Section - United States Air Force
07.2016 - 11.2017
Facility Manager, Missile Alert Facility - United States Air Force
07.2011 - 07.2016
Instructor, Missile Maintenance - United States Air Force
11.2008 - 07.2011
Technician, Missile Maintenance - United States Air Force
05.2005 - 07.2008
Scheduler, Missile Maintenance Teams (MMT) - United States Air Force
04.2004 - 05.2005
American Military University - Bachelor of Arts, Homeland Security
Community College of The Air Force - Missile & Space Systems , Aeronautical Engineering
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