Appointments and Promotions, Beyond the Badge, Inside CDCR Video

Air Force master sergeant begins CDCR career

November 11, 2024

Jonathan Massey, second from left, is putting his military service to use by joining CDCR as a correctional officer.

Jonathan Massey, a master sergeant in the US Air Force Reserve, is putting his military experience to work as he begins his CDCR career.

For more than 16 years, Massey has served his country. When he graduated with Class 7-24A, Massey took an oath as a sworn peace officer. He’ll now join the ranks of correctional officers across California helping CDCR achieve its public safety mission.

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“It’s a little bitter-sweet (to be finished), but I’m ready to take the next step.”

“This process was long for me to get here so it’s been long awaited,” he said before graduating. “I’ve thought of (graduating) from the very beginning. It’s a little bitter-sweet (to be finished), but I’m ready to take the next step.”

Assigned to RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, Massey said he’s excited to begin his CDCR career.

“The 13 weeks our company commanders put us through can be mentally and physically challenging, but the reward is the greatest of all,” Massey said.

Military experience translates well to correctional careers

Having served for so long in the Air Force, he said it was easy to transition to the professional nature of the correctional officer job.

Something very familiar to Massey is CDCR’s seven core values: values include service, leadership, integrity, accountability, respect, trust, and collaboration.

“Integrity is one of our core values in the Air Force,” he said.

Learn more about CDCR’s vision, mission, and values on the website.

Husband and wife her pinning a new CDCR correctional officer badge on his uniform. — Mrs. Massey pins her husband’s badge on this uniform.

Correctional Officer Massey, a military veteran, kisses his wife after graduating. — Mrs. Massey pins her husband’s badge on this uniform.

His wife has been very supportive of his choice to become a correctional officer.

“She’s proud as she knows this is always something I’ve wanted to do,” Massey said. “I’d like to go as high as I can go (like) lieutenant (or) sergeant. I just want to climb the ladder.”

His personal and professional goals are aligning through using his military career to now focus on one in corrections.

“I just want to be the best I can be,” he explained.

Interested Correctional Officer applicants can apply online at JoinCDCR.com.

Video by Rob Stewart, TV specialist
Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
Office of Public and Employee Communications