Officer focuses on helping students

Lt. Col. John McLaurin has been the Cannon Air Force Base school liaison for two years. He is retiring from the Air Force Thursday and plans to move to San Antonio.

Other duties: Working as the school liaison is an added duty. I spend 95 percent of my time spent working as a deputy group commander with the mission support group.

Job description: I work with the local school district to help address issues military children deal with. The average high school senior moves seven times while in school. I generally present the issues relating to military dependents such as timely transfer of records or dealing with different state vaccination requirements. I work with the schools when issues come up.

Issues for Cannon: Currently, the Air Force change of missions is a big issue. It’s really had a lot of secondary and tertiary affects with whole units that are moving in.

Working with Clovis schools: The schools have been extremely receptive of our requests. Just like I am assigned a sponsor when I get to a base, military students can be assigned an ambassador to help them navigate the first week or two. It sure hasn’t been because of me, it’s a dance. CMS have been very open.

As a father: You obviously have a different perspective if you’re a parent. I understand the parents’ perspectives and I am able to listen and mediate.

What I learned: I learned how challenging an educator’s job is. Every time we come back from deployment, someone is always there clapping. Teachers have just as much responsibility, ensuring tomorrow, but don’t receive the appreciation they deserve for it.

Next in line: Lt. Col. Mark Brown will replace McLaurin.

— Compiled by Lili Castillo