Army National Guard Spec. Johnathan D. McKinney has completed the Warrior Leader Course at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo. The course is part of the Army's Noncommissioned Officer Education System. The soldier is currently deployed to Kosovo from a U.S.-based National Guard or Reserve unit supporting the NATO-led peacekeeping and security mission as a member of the Kosovo Forces.

The 30-day course is designed to provide the Army with soldiers who can visualize, describe, and execute squadlevel operations in varied operational environments and battlefields. Soldiers with the rank of specialist or corporal learn to be noncommissioned officers focused on leading, training, caring, maintaining, and Warrior skills. The soldiers are prepared for promotion to sergeant to serve as leaders of teams, crews and squads. The intensive, rigorous course emphasizes leadership and includes training management, map reading, land navigation, drill and ceremony, warfighting, and a field training exercise.

McKinney, an administrative assistant, is assigned to the 5th Medical Group, Birmingham. He has two years of military service.

He is the son of William L. McKinney, and Eartha D. McKinney, both of Birmingham.

His wife, Katrina, is the daughter of Mattie D. Williams of Linden.

The specialist graduated in the year 2000 from Phillips High School, Birmingham.