Last modified Wed., October 29, 2008 - 03:43 PM
Originally created Thursday, October 30, 2008

Jax Area USO Has New Director

By Jack Berry, USO Coordinator, Mayport Chapter, MOAA

Retired Cmdr. John Shockley assumed the Directorship of the Greater Jacksonville Area USO Oct. 8, while retired Cmdr. KC McCarthy for the past four and a half years, left to become the Director of the USO San Diego.

McCarthy has been the driving force before a revitalized and expanded Jacksonville USO by developing a $1.1 million recreational program for our uniformed service members and opening the Jacksonville International Airport USO Center for our transient troops.

Shockley returned to Jacksonville after his January 2008 retirement from U.S. Northern Command at Colorado Springs, Colorado. He and his wife Amy make their home on Fleming Island with his oldest daughter a graduate of USF in Tampa, son graduating from UNF in December 2008 and youngest daughter attending FCCJ.

Beginning his naval career as an E-1 from the Ohio coal area, he rose to his present rank with a varied service career. He served on several Mayport based ships, among them, the USS Charles F. Adams (DDG-2), USS Saratoga (CV-60), and USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). He also served on board NAS Jacksonville in various commands, including Commanding Officer of Transient Personnel Unit.

John said he looks forward to continuing the good work of his predecessor, Ms McCarthy, and working with the community, Veterans groups, and Mayport MOAA in supporting our Service Members, and those transiting through JIA.