‘Meet the Fleet,’ USTRANSCOM’s Senior Enlisted Leader wants to meet you

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (April 23, 2021) – A Los Angeles native with 35 years of active-duty service in the U.S. Navy and a life-long Los Angeles Dodgers fan, comes to U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) with honor and enthusiasm to learn and lead the joint force team.

U.S. Navy Fleet Master Chief Donald Myrick was selected in December 2020 to be the 7th Command Senior Enlisted Leader (SEL) at USTRANSCOM, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, assuming the position on March 30.

“I am just truly humbled and honored to be given the opportunity to assume this significant role,” said Myrick. “In the U.S. Navy, we like to say “One team, one fight”, which is indicative of the overall joint effort.”

Myrick comes to USTRANSCOM from his previous assignment as the Command Master Chief at the Office of the Naval Inspector General, Washington, D.C. He was selected to replace U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jason L. France, who retired from the U.S. Air Force on April 1.

As SEL, Myrick is the principal advisor to the combatant commander and the senior staff on all matters concerning joint force integration, readiness, professional development and effective utilization of the enlisted corps. He coordinates with the headquarters staff, component commands and subordinate organizations on the development and implementation of command policy and ensures the strategic focus and synchronized efforts of more than 144,000 military and civilian warfighters providing global air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense.

U.S. Army Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, commander, USTRANSCOM, stated during the change of responsibility ceremony that he is excited for the opportunity to work alongside Myrick, “whose reputation among his peers is second to none.”

Myrick expressed appreciation for Lyons choosing him and the opportunity granted by the U.S. Navy.

“I have been truly blessed to work with some exceptional leaders and it is my hope to be an example and someone our junior members would want to emulate,” said Myrick. “I want every USTRANSCOM Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Guardian and Coast Guardsman to know I am here for you.”

He highlighted the importance of approachability as SEL. “I want to be accessible to the entire USTRANSCOM team, both military and civilians, and welcome all to stop by my office any time of the week, whether it’s to talk about command business, family, professional guidance, or even sports,” said Myrick.

The new SEL elaborated about his personal hobbies and interests, ranging from trout fishing, to reading, to wanting to become a fashion designer.

Furthermore, Myrick emphasized his love for travel and particularly, for Major League Baseball.

“I grew up a diehard Dodgers fan,” said Myrick. “Baseball is such a beautiful sport and I have a sincere fondness for the mechanics of the game.” He added he looks forward to spending time with his twin sons at upcoming St. Louis Cardinals games when the Dodgers come to town.

When it comes to leadership style, Myrick takes a more personable approach and strives to meet USTRANSCOM’s mission priorities. He said he does not have an appointment system and welcomes the team to come by to meet him and have a cup of coffee. He looks forward to learning more about the people who make up USTRANSCOM and the organization itself.

“I always like to say you can’t predict outcomes; you can, however, control your effort and I’m going to work hard to ensure my role as the senior enlisted leader is value added to the overall success of the TRANSCOM mission,” said Myrick.

USTRANSCOM exists as a warfighting combatant command to project and sustain military power at a time and place of the nation’s choosing. Powered by dedicated men and women, TRANSCOM underwrites the lethality of the Joint Force, advances American interests around the globe and provides our nation's leaders with strategic flexibility to select from multiple options, while creating multiple dilemmas for our adversaries.