TSgt Emily McCarthy is a Reserve Officer Training Corps Training Instructor for Detachment 355 at Boston University, Boston, MA. She is the Senior Enlisted Leader and primary enlisted advisor to the Detachment Commander and cadre on a wide range of topics including academics, health, morale, esprit de corps, mentoring, military training, professional development, and recognition of all assigned cadets.
Sergeant McCarthy enlisted into the Air Force in July 2013 as an Operations Intelligence Analyst. Upon graduating the Intelligence Apprentice Course, Sergeant McCarthy was assigned to the 755 Operations Support Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. During her time as an intelligence analyst, she deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Freedom Sentinel, and Operation Inherent Resolve. In this position, she delivered pre-mission briefs highlighting insurgent tactics and threats for over 100 combat missions.
Tech Sergeant McCarthy was selected for re-training and completed the Education and Training Management Apprentice Course in 2019. As an Education and Training Manager, Sergeant McCarthy was assigned to the 355th Fighter Group as the group training manager. While in this position, she was selected as the Group Commander’s executive assistant. She was then assigned to the 66 Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom Air Force Base, as the Unit Training Manager. Within five months of being in this position, Sergeant McCarthy was hand selected by the Command Chief to serve as the base 3F2 Functional while she backfilled the position as the Base Training Manager for six months.
Sergeant McCarthy is certified as a Volunteer Victim Advocate and leads events in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention as well as providing advocacy for victims of sexual assault. She is certified as a Community College of the Air Force Academic Advisor and CPR and first aid instructor.
EDUCATION
2017 – Airman Leadership School, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
2017 – Community College of the Air Force Degree in Intelligence Studies and Technology
2021 – Community College of the Air Force Degree in Education and Training Management
2024 – Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, by correspondence
2025 – Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Northern Arizona University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Mar 2014 – Oct 2014, Intelligence Operations Analyst, 755 Operation Support Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
2. Oct 2014 – Jan 2017, Intelligence Operations Analyst, 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ (Dec 2014- May 2015, 455 AEW Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan & Apr 2016 – Sep 2016, 386 AEW, Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait)
3. Jan 2017 – May 2019, Latin American Intelligence Analyst, 12 Air Force, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
4. May 2019 – Jan 2021, Group Training Manager, 355 Operation Support Squadron, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
5. Jan 2021 – May 2023, Unit Training Manager, 66 Security Forces Squadron, Hanscom AFB, MA
6. May 2023 – Aug 2025, Group Training Manager, 66 Air Base Group, Hanscom AFB, MA (Oct 2023-May 2024, 378 AEW, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
7. Aug 2025 – AFROTC Training Instructor, Detachment 355, Boston, MA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one Service Star
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
OTHER ACHHIEVEMENTS
2015 43rd Electronic Combat Squadron Airman of the Year Award
2017 Airman Leadership School Commandant and Distinguished Graduate Award
2022 AFA Top 5 Massachusetts Airman of the Year Award
2024 AFLCMC A1 NCO of the Year Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic – 23 Jul 2013
Airman First Class – 20 Sep 2013
Senior Airman – 20 Jul 2015
Staff Sergeant – 01 Jun 2017
Technical Sergeant – 01 Nov 2022
(Current as of August 2025)