Master Sergeant Robert B. Barnette
Master Sergeant Barnette, a native of Gahanna, Ohio, grew up in Westerville and attended Westerville North High. He enlisted in the Air Force in March 1982. In December 1992 Master Sergeant Barnette attended Instructor school at Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. He served as an instructor for the Air Force until November 1997.
He graduated from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and Leadership. Master Sergeant Barnette received his Master's Degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Military Science in 2009 and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology in 2014. He also holds Associate degrees in Electrical and Mechanical Technology, Personnel Administration/Human Resource Management, Instructor of Technology and Military Science from the Community College of the Air Force and Education Methods from Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Fl .
In May of 1993 Master Sergeant Barnette began his participation as a judge at the National High School Drill Team Championships held in Daytona Beach, Florida, this annual event showcases the best drill teams from JROTC units from all across the United States and overseas. In 1997 Master Sergeant Barnette was elevated to head Judge for Armed Inspection and Platoon Exhibition Drill. Master Sergeant Barnette retired from the judging corps in 2004 after 13 straight years of judging the best of the best JROTC drill units.
Master Sergeant Barnette's last assignment was Military Liaison Supervisor (MLS) at the Columbus Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in Gahanna, Ohio from 1999 to 2005. When Master Sergeant Barnette took over as MLS the Columbus MEPS was ranked 58 out of 65 in the nation as MEPS processes and fraudulent enlistments were high. After restructuring and redesigning training for recruiters the MEPS national rankings rose steadily. In his final two years as MLS, the Columbus MEPS finished number ONE in the nation in their rankings.
During his 22 years on active duty he served in various locations such as Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio; MacDill AFB, Tampa, Florida; Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas; Torrejon AB, Spain; Cairo West AB, Cairo Egypt; Rhein-Main AB, Frankfurt, Germany; Howard AFB, Republic of Panama; and Goose Bay AB, Labrador.
Master Sergeant Barnette became a Air Force Aerospace Science Instructor (ASI) in August 2009 at Newark High School in Newark, Ohio. From the modest beginnings of the program with 54 cadets to now one of the largest units in the state. While assigned to the unit, Master Sergeant Barnette has been awarded the Master Instructor title and wears the Gold Teaching Badge and honored with the Citizen Teacher of the Year for Licking County 2012. In 2015, Master Sergeant Barnette was selected for Air Force JROTC Advanced Certification. He currently teaches all Leadership courses and coaches the Black Watch, Crimson Guard and Knight's Watch Color Guard Teams.
In April 2025 Master Sergeant Barnette was recognized with the Air Force Freedom Award and was inducted into the National High School Drill Hall of Fame.
Master Sergeant's military decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and the Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
Master Sergeant Barnette is married to the former Miss Tina Shepherd of Gahanna, Ohio. They have one child, Connor.
Email: rbarnette@newarkcityschools.org
Phone: (740) 670-7400 ext 2718
Technical Sergeant Joshua E. Parrish
TSgt Parrish enlisted 28 September 2005 from Newark, Ohio. He graduated from Lakewood school district in 2004. He has been stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, Kunsan AB, South Korea, Hill AFB, Utah, and Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona. He has performed maintenance operations on multiple aircraft during his career starting with the A-10A, then A-10C, where he then worked depot for A-10’s, F-22’s, F-16’s and set foundations for the f-35 prior to PCSing. TSgt Parrish was the crash one driver for Al Udeid AB, Qatar over KC-135’s, RC-135’s, C-130’s, B-1’s, E-8’s, CV-22’s, and E-’s. He then PCS’d to Kunsan AB to be a dedicated crew chief on f-16’s for the 8th AMXS. After the year tour in South Korea, he was stationed at Spangdahlem AB Germany where he spent half of the 3-year tour as a dedicated crew chief and the other half as a weapons systems operator. Prior to his current position, he fulfilled multiple positions in the 334th AMU, 704th AMXS and 334 FS ranging from dedicated crew chief, CANN manager, and APG section chief.
TSgt Parrish is a squadron programs coordinator 334 Fighter Generation Squadron, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. In this role, he manages 44 programs for the men and women of the 334th he assists the commander in leading and managing the command support section.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2004 – November 2004, Trainee, 321 TRG, Lackland AFB, TX
2. November 2004 – January 2005, Student, 362 TRG Sheppard AFB, TX.
3. January 2005 – March 2005, Student, 362 TRG Davis Monthan AFB, AZ.
4. March 2005 – February 2011, Crew Chief, 355 AMXS, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ.
5. February 2011 – July 2015, Depot Maintenance Journeyman, 573 AMXS Hill AFB, UT.
6. July 2015 – August 2016, Dedicated Chew Chef, 8 AMXS Kunsan AB, South Korea.
7. August 2016 – January 2018, Dedicated Crew Chief, 52 AMXS, Spangdahlem AB, Germany.
8. January 2018 – September 2019, Senior Weapons Systems Controller, 52 MOS, Spangdahlem
AB, Germany
9. October 2019 – Present, Element NCOIC, CANN Manager, Expediter, Section Chief,
Programs coordinator, 334 FGS Seymour Johnson AFB, NC.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal (One oak leaf cluster)
Air Force Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman Basic 28 September 2004
Airman First Class 12 November 2004
Senior Airman 12 March 2007
Staff Sergeant 1 January 2010
Technical Sergeant 1 August 2018
Email: jparrish@newarkcityschools.org
Phone: (740) 670-7400 ext 2720