CMSgt J. Allan Pickren is the Senior Enlisted Leader at the 71st Medical Group, Vance AFB, Oklahoma. He is the principal advisor to the 71st Medical Group Commander, 71st Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, and the 71st Healthcare Operations Squadron. Chief Pickren leads a team of 150 total force personnel that provide healthcare and preventative health services in support of 3,700 DoD eligible beneficiaries for the 71st Flying Training Wing and members of the Vance AFB community. Additionally, the group coordinates referral services for inpatient and specialized care at military and civilian health care agencies. Through healthcare delivery, the medical group supports the wing in conducting specialized undergraduate pilot training for more than 400 U.S. Air Force and Allied student pilots each year.
Chief Pickren entered the Air Force in July 1999 as an Aerospace Medical Technician and graduated from Phase II of the Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice Program in February 2000. He’s earned multiple Specialty Experience Identifiers throughout his career to include Allergy/Immunizations, Independent Duty Medical Technician, Paramedic, Flight Medicine and Master Resiliency Trainer. His background includes various technical and leadership positions in clinics, Line of the Air Force squadrons, Medical Treatment Facilities, and prior to assuming this position served as the MAJCOM/Alternate MAJCOM Functional for the 4N/4N1, 4H, 4J, 4T specialties.
EDUCATION
1999 Medical Service Apprentice Course Phase I, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2000 Medical Service Apprentice Course Phase II, Keesler AFB, Miss
2003 Tri-Service Allergy Immunization Course, Washington D.C.
2004 Airman Leadership School, Hurlburt Field, Fla
2010 USAF Independent Duty Medical Technician Course, Sheppard AFB, Texas
2010 USAF Flight Medicine Symposium, Brooks City-Base, Texas
2011 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, Fla
2011 Associate in Allied Health Sciences, CCAF
2012 Pelham Training Center, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
2013 USAF Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, non-residence
2013 Joint Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Course
2015 First Sergeant Symposium, USAF Academy, Colorado
2016 George Washington University, Bachelor of Science, Health Sciences Administration (Honors)
2016 Resiliency Training Assistant, RAF Alconbury, England
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME) II
2017 Master Resiliency Trainer, RAF Mildenhall, England
2019 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Ala
2023 Project Management Professional Certification, Project Management Institute
2024 Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB-Gunter, Ala
ASSIGNMENTS OR CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. September 1999 – December 1999, Aerospace Medical Apprentice Course Phase I Student, 383rd Training Squadron, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
2. January 2000 – February 2000, Aerospace Medical Apprentice Course Phase II Student, 81st Medical Group, Keesler, AFB, Mississippi
3. March 2000 – February 2003, Medical Service Journeyman, Moody AFB, Georgia
4. March 2003 – February 2006, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, Allergy Immunization Clinic, 16th Medical Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
5. March 2006 – April 2007, Aerospace Medical Service Craftsman, 51st MDOS, Osan Air Base, South Korea
6. May 2007 – October 2010, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Gynecology and Allergy/Immunization Clinics, 72nd MDOS, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma
7. October 2010 – October 2014, Squadron Medical Element Independent Duty Medical Technician, 16th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
8. November 2014 – February 2017, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Medical Aid Station, 1st Flying Training Squadron, Colorado
9. March 2017 – March 2020, Squadron and Medical Aid Station Superintendent, 426th Air Base Squadron, Stavanger, Norway
10. March 2020 – December 2020, Flight Chief, Flight Medicine, 78th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron, Robins AFB, Georgia
11. December 2020 – October 2021, Senior Enlisted Leader, 78th OMRS, Robins AFB, Georgia
12. October 2021 – June 2024, MAJCOM 4N Force Manager & 4H, 4J, 4T MAJCOM Functional Manager, Headquarters Air Reserve Command, Robins AFB, Georgia
13. June 2024 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader, 71st Medical Group, Vance AFB, Oklahoma
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Meritorious Unit Award
AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2003 Honor Graduate Tri-Service Allergy Immunization Course
2019 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, 501st Combat Support Wing (SNCO)
2020 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, 78th Air Base Wing (SNCO)
2023 SNCO of the Year, Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Permanent member, Air Force Sergeants Association
Project Management Professional
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic, July 21, 1999
Airman January 21, 2000
Airman First Class November 21, 2000
Senior Airman July 21, 2002
Staff Sergeant December 1, 2004
Technical Sergeant May 1, 2010
Master Sergeant August 1, 2016
Senior Master Sergeant August 1, 2021
Chief Master Sergeant September 1, 2024
(Current as of June 2024)