By Sarah Roebuck
Corrections1
SAN DIEGO — After 16 years in the Air Force Reserve, Master Sergeant Jonathan Massey is bringing his military discipline and commitment to public service into a new role as a correctional officer, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.
Massey, now assigned to RJ Donovan Correctional Facility, completed the challenging 13-week Basic Correctional Officer Academy and said he is ready to serve California’s correctional system.
“This process was long for me to get here so it’s been long awaited,” Massey said before graduating. “I’ve thought of (graduating) from the very beginning. It’s a little bittersweet (to be finished), but I’m ready to take the next step.”
Massey shared with CDCR that he has long aspired to be a youth correctional counselor, driven by a desire to pass on the guidance he received from the Air Force.
Drawing on the Air Force’s core values, Massey said he recognizes many parallels between his service experience and his new role at CDCR.
“Integrity is one of our core values in the Air Force,” Massey explained, noting that CDCR’s focus on service, respect and accountability feels familiar and aligns with his professional goals.
Supported by his family and his drive to excel, Massey hopes to rise through the ranks, with ambitions to achieve roles such as lieutenant or sergeant.
“I just want to be the best I can be,” he said, motivated by the opportunity to contribute to CDCR’s mission.
