Army Warrant Officer History - Part III (2008-Present)

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ARMY WARRANT OFFICER HISTORY

"The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer"

Part III - 2008 to Present

| 2008 | 2009 |

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2008

In January, 2008, formal MOS qualification of the Air Traffic Services Warrant Officer began. The formal Technical Phase Training course is 6-weeks long and began in January 2008 at Fort Rucker, Ala - see more.

On January 11, 2008 - The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) issued a memorandum authorizing 30 years of active service for all Regular Army Warrant Officers of any grade. Previously only Regular Army Chief Warrant Officer's Five (CW5) were allowed 30 years of active service - see the Memorandum.

On January 28, 2008, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Zachary Johnson (right), a pilot with 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, gets pinned with the Distinguished Flying Cross by Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr., 1st Cavalry Division's commander, at the Fort Hood Catering and Conference Center. Johnson, a Nampa, Idaho, native, was rewarded for his leadership and skills during a large battle in Najaf, Iraq, Jan. 28, 2007- see more.

(Photo and story by Sgt. Nicole Kojetin, USA)

On April 2, 2008, the article entitled "A breed apart: Warrant Officers mark 90 years with the Army" by Fred L. Borch and Robert F. Door, was published in the ARMY TIMES. The article is a short history lesson commemorating the 90th birthday of the Army Warrant Officer - see the article.

On April 15, 2008, a Warrant Officer Conference with the theme "The Future of the Warrant Officer" was held in the Al Faw Palace Main Ballroom in Iraq. It included a Senior Warrant Officer Meeting, a Warrant Officer Recruiting Briefing open to all soldiers, and a Warrant Officer Professional Development session. The points of contact for this conference were CW5 David Williams and CW4 Curtis Newkirk.

In April 2008, five Warrant Officers were selected for Intermediate Level Education (ILE) Pilot Program - selected were CW4 Percy Alexander (QM), CW4 (P) Timothy Feathers (AV), CW4 Nathaniel Jones (AD), CW4 Richard Myers (OD), and CW3 Robert Russell. These officers will attend ILE (formerly Command & General Staff Course) at Fort Leavenworth, KS in the summer of 2008. The intent of this program is not for all Warrant Officers to attend, but for a select few who are the best candidates for strategic level positions within the Army.

On April 24, 2008, a memorandum, Subject: Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) Policy and Guidance, was signed by the Deputy Commanding General for Initial Military Training. BOLC is designed to ensure tough, standardized, small-unit leadership experience that flows progressively from the per-commissioning/appointment phase (BOLC 1) through the initial-entry field leadership phase (BOLC II) to the branch technical phase (BOLC III)- see the memo. Over time Warrant Officer training will be phased out of the Warrant Officer Education System (WOES) and into the Officer Education System (OES).

On May 6, 2008, the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation published a short Warrant Officer History entitled "WARRANT The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer: 90 Years of Technical Expertise in the Army" by CW5 (Ret) David P. Welsh. The article commemorates the 90th Birthday of the Army Warrant Officer in July 2008 - see the article.

On May 7, 2008, the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G3/5/7 signed a memorandum, Subject: Request for Delay of Warrant Officer Integration into Phase III of the Basic Officer Leader Course. The memorandum approves the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) to delay Warrant Officer Integration in BOLC II until the third quarter FY 2009 - see the memo.

On June 6, 2008, The National Adjutant General's Corps Regimental Ball was held at Fort Jackson, SC. The AG Corps is the second oldest branch of our Army. After dinner CW5 (Ret) Daniel J. Logan was installed as the new "Honorary Warrant Officer of the Regiment" by Colonel Richard P. Mustion, Commandant of the AG School and President of the AGC Regiment. CW5 Logan's last assignment on active duty was as Assistant Executive Officer and Warrant Officer Advisor to the Army Chief of Staff. He is currently the Chief of the Secretary of the Army's Military Personnel Office. The outgoing Honorary Warrant Officer of the Regiment was CW5 (Ret) Arbie 'Mac' McInnis who had served for nine active and dedicated years. (Pictured l-r: CW5 (Ret) Logan, COL Mustion, and CW5 (Ret) McInnis)

On July 9, 2008, the 90th Birthday of the Army Warrant Officer Corps in the Mine Planter Service of the Coast Artillery was celebrated. Several military-related magazines recognized the occasion. "WARRANT The legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer - 90 Years of Technical Expertise in the Army," by CW5 (Ret) Dave Welsh on behalf of the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation, was published in the Summer 2008 ON POINT The Journal of Army History of the Army Historical Foundation. Shorter versions were published in Army Aviation magazine of the Army Aviation Association of America, The Officer magazine of the Reserve Officers Association, and the NEWSLINER of the U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association. Also, "Fort Monroe's little-known history: Birthplace of the Army Warrant Officer," by CW5 Dennis Erickson, CWO Leader Development at Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), was published in the July 25, 2008 edition of the Fort Monroe CASEMATE newspaper.

Also, on 9 July 2008, the U. S. Army Warrant Officer Career College (WOCC) at Fort Rucker, Alabama, celebrated the 90th Anniversary of Army Warrant Officer Service. Pictured are COL Mark Jones, WOCC Commandant and CW3 Johnnie Schmitt cutting the cake.

On July 11, 2008, Chief Warrant Officer 5 David F. Cooper was presented the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) from Admiral Eric T. Olson, commander of United States Special Operations Command, during a ceremony at Fort Campbell, Ky., on July 11, 2008. He acted with complete disregard for his own safety as he single handedly took aerial action against an armed and numerically superior enemy during a combat engagement in central Iraq in 2006. The DSC is the Army's second highest award for combat valor and is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States during military operations. This is the eleventh DSC to be awarded for actions in Iraq since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. To date, Cooper is the only aviator to receive the DSC non-posthumously for actions in support of the War on Terror. (see News Release) (160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment Photo)

On July 17, 2008, the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing from the Vietnam War, had been identified. They were Chief Warrant Officer Bobby L. McKain, of Garden City, KS.; and Warrant Officer Arthur F. Chaney, of Vienna, VA, both U.S. Army. McKain was buried with full military honors on August 11, 2008 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C., and Chaney was buried with full military honors on September 16, 2008 in Arlington. On May 3, 1968, these men flew an AH-1G Cobra gunship on an armed escort mission to support a reconnaissance team operating west of Khe Sanh, in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. Their helicopter was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire, exploded in mid-air and crashed west of Khe Sanh near the Laos-Vietnam border. The crew of other U.S. aircraft flying over the area immediately after the crash reported no survivors, and heavy enemy activity prevented attempts to recover the men's bodies.

In August 2008, a new Warrant Officer MOS was established - The Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff G-1 at Department of the Army approved a proposal from the U.S. Army Chemical School to establish MOS 740A with Additional Skill Identifier L3 (Technical Escort) and Special Qualifications Indicator R (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Responder). Positions to support the establishment will transfer from Officer Area of Concentration 74A (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN)) and will be phased in over five years beginning in FY2011 and continuing through FY2015 - see more.

On August 28, 2008, five chief warrant officers were the first to enter the Intermediate Level Education program at the Command and General Staff College (C&GSC), Fort Leavenworth, KS. It is a pilot program to offer a broadening experience to a different category of Army leaders that normally wouldn't have that opportunity. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Percy Alexander (Quartermaster), Chief Warrant Officer 4 Tim Feathers (Aviation), Chief Warrant Officer 4 Richard Myers (Ordnance), Chief Warrant Officer 4 Nathaniel Jones (Air Defense), and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Russell (Ordnance) are the first warrant officers admitted to the C&GSC. (Pictured right: C&GSC Commandant Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV talks with CW3 Robert Russell, CW4 Percy Alexander, CW4 Richard Myers, CW5 Timothy Feathers and CW4 Nathaniel Jones about their participation in CGSC Aug. 27 in the Lewis and Clark Center's main conference room. The Soldiers are the first warrant officers to attend CGSC. Lamp photo by Prudence Siebert.) (See article published in The Fort Leavenworth LAMP.)

Also in August 2008, CW5 Jeffrey A Reichard assumed the duties as Chief Warrant Officer of the Aviation Branch (AV CWOB) - see photo and biography.

From September 9-11, 2008, the Senior Warrant Officer Advisory Council (SWOAC) to the Army Vice Chief of Staff (VCSA) Meet at Fort Lee, Virginia to discuss issues impacting on the Corps and the individual branches. See the After Action report at http://www.usawoa.org/downloads/SWOAC-AAR+9-11Sep08.pdf

In September 2008, The U. S. Army Warrant Officer Career College’s (USAWOCC) new shoulder sleeve insignia, distinctive unit insignia (DUI), and unit colors, were approved by the Army’s Institute, clearly indicating the level of excellence the College is striving to reach as it continues the greatest transformation in its history. In fact, it would have been extremely difficult to have developed something to better communicate the end stage the College is striving to reach during this transformation. The USAWOCC, currently located at Fort Rucker, Alabama, is a subordinate element of the Combined Arms Command located at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. (See complete story)

USAWOCC Shoulder Patch USAWOCC Unit Crest USAWOCC Unit Colors

In September 2008, the Army kicked off the Military Aviation Centennial. With some 35% (almost 8,000) of the Warrant Officer Corps consisting of Aviation Warrant Officers this is a significant commemoration in the Corps History - see more.

Also in September 2008, CW5 Jeffie Moore (pictured left) was appointed Senior Chief Warrant Officer and Training with Industry Program Manager for Quartermaster/ Ordnance/Transportation Officer, Warrant Officer, and Noncommissioned Officers at the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM), Fort Lee. VA. CW5 Moore holds a 922A Food Service MOS in the Quarter Master Corps and has extensive military and civilian education - see biography. Also CW5 Arthur G. Dahl, IV, (pictured right) was appointed as the 6th Chief Warrant Officer of the Ordnance Branch at the Ordnance Center and School, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD - see biography.

On November 17, 2008, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Roy Tolbert (left), outgoing U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne) command chief warrant officer, received his relief of orders from Brig. Gen. Michael S. Repass, USASFC(A) commanding general, during a ceremony at Kennedy Hall, Fort Bragg, NC. Tolbert, who joined Special Forces in 1972, retired after more than 39 years of service. CW5 Tolbert retired after passing responsibility to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bruce Watts. (See complete story)

In November 2008, the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), the Army Engineer Association (AEA) and the Battelle Memorial Institute added the Outstanding Engineer Warrant Officer Award - Each year the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), the Army Engineer Association (AEA) and the Battelle Memorial Institute sponsor four awards to recognize the most outstanding contributions from the U.S. Army Engineer community (Active, National Guard, and Reserve). For 2008, the number of awards has increased to five with the addition of the Outstanding Engineer Warrant Officer Award sponsored by AEA. The award will be presented annually to honor an engineer warrant officer in the Active Army, National Guard, and Reserve in recognition of outstanding contributions to military engineering by demonstrated technical and leadership ability.- see FLW Pam 672-1, 14 Nov 08.

On November 28, 2008, CW2 Jonathan Harris, a Blackhawk pilot who withstood enemy fire to save a wounded crewmember in Afghanistan, was awarded a Silver Star. Not to be outdone, his 60-year-old father retired Staff Sgt. Gary Harris was awarded a Silver Star and a Bronze Star in a simultaneous ceremony honoring his bravery in Vietnam. The two generations watched each other through a video teleconference between Fort Campbell, where the elder Harris was honored, and Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, where Jonathan is completing a tour. Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, Commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, told the elder Harris via video that he hoped the special ceremonies repaid the Army’s failure to give him an official ceremony nearly 40 years ago. He was officially pinned with a Silver Star and Bronze Star by the Brig. Gen. Steve Towsend, Deputy Commanding General-rear, 101st Airborne Division, for gallantry in action against an armed hostile force in Vietnam. [Pictured left Maj. Gen. Schloesser shakes the hand of CW2 Harris. Pictured right Brig. Gen. Townsend, Pins the Silver Star on SSG (Ret) Harris.] (Courtesy Associated Press and the American Forces News Service)

In December 2008, CW4 (P) T. L.. Williams assumed the duties of Military Police Regimental Chief Warrant Officer - CW4(P) Williams has replaced CW5 Phil Tackett who is retiring after a long and distinguished career. View her biography.

2009

On January 20, 2009 the 257th Army Band, "The Band of the Nation's Capital", commanded by CW3 Sheila Klotz, took the stage one of the Inaugural Balls, marking the first time a National Guard band had the honor. The band played Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief and the first dance for the new President and the First Lady, which is ‘At Last’ by Etta James at the Southern States Inaugural Ball at the District of Columbia National Guard Armory. For Klotz it was the realization of eight years of hard work building a band that was in danger of being shut down as she took command in 2001. Klotz said she was given six months to show marked improvement, or the band could be deactivated. After seven years of hard work, the bandsmen find themselves enjoying what is a highlight of their military music careers. See complete article.

Also on January 20, 2009, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, commanded by Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gregory S. Balvanz, had the privilege and honor of leading President Barack Obama in the 56th Presidential Inaugural Parade. The Corps has marched in every Inaugural Parade since John F. Kennedy's Inauguration in 1961.

CW4 Balvanz has been the Commander of The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps since August 2004. January's Inaugural Parade was his second time marching alongside the Corps for an Inauguration.

"It's an honor to participate in an Inauguration once in your lifetime, but I have had the fortunate pleasure to participate in it twice," he said.

In January 2009, the Army announced approval for establishing new Electronic Warfare (EW) military career fields for officers, warrant officers, and enlisted personnel. The reason for creating the new EW career fields came initially from the Army’s perceived need to increase EW capabilities required to defend against insurgent use of radio controlled improvised explosive devices in Iraq and Afghanistan with electromagnetic countermeasures. Approval of the new career field will result in adding approximately 1,600 EW personnel to the Army. Initial reclassification and accession will occur in fiscal year 2010 (FY10) to prepare for filling positions in FY11. Human Resource Command and DA G1 will fill EW positions over a three year period FY11-13, providing a robust EW capability to the Army. EW warrant officer and enlisted pilot courses will begin during FY09.

Also in January 2009, in an interview, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Richard "Monty" Gonzales never fancied a Hollywood career. But now, he can add "movie consultant" to his resume. Gonzales worked with director Paul Greengrass and actor Matt Damon in the upcoming action thriller "Green Zone." The film, which portrays the 2003 search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, is based loosely on Gonzales and his team's experience. Gonzales led Mobile Exploitation Team Alpha, a crew of 15 to 22 people, depending on their task. (See article)

Vietnam Vets Serve Again in Iraq

February 19, 2009 - CAMP STRIKER, Iraq, Two deployed soldiers who served in the Vietnam War are serve again -- this time in Iraq. Staff Sgt. Louis J. Swift (pictured left) and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Steven M. Derry (pictured right) serve here with the 3-142nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, a National Guard unit from Ronkonkoma, N.Y. "I enlisted for Vietnam from 1967 to 1973," Swift, a Detroit native, said. "Then, I enlisted for a one-year term for Desert Storm in 1991." Swift serves as a crew chief and door gunner, jobs he has performed for the past 24 years. This is Derry's second tour in Iraq. He serves as the officer in charge of the battalion's air movement request section. His job includes viewing flight schedules for battalion soldiers and ensuring they have adequate fuel and time to execute missions. See complete story.

In February 2009, CW3 Melissa Farmer was selected as the Training and Doctrine Command Warrant Officer Instructor of the Year for 2008. During her assignment at Fort Jackson, South Carolina she was also selected as the Soldier Support Institute Instructor of the Year. Last year she was also selected as the 2008 Adjutant General Warrant Officer of the Year. In 2009 her book titled "Army Strong Women" will be published through Dorrance Publishing Company. At the time of announcement of the award CW3 Farmer was serving at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a Warrant Officer Recruiter.

February 26, 2009 - Soldier Becomes First Amputee Accepted to Warrant Officer School - The U.S. Army Warrant Officer School soon will welcome a new accession of warrant officers this spring, and one will bring with him a new perspective to the Army officer corps. Staff Sgt. Jonathan Holsey is the first amputee accepted into the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Candidate School. Holsey, who lost his leg following a roadside bomb explosion in Iraq, is to report to the school at Fort Rucker, Ala., in April 2009 - see more. See also WO1 Holsey below.

From March 17-19, 2009, the semi-annual Senior Warrant Officer Advisory Council (SWOAC) conference was held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During this three-day period, the following occurred: scheduled briefs and discussion of issues occurred and an open discussion period was conducted which allowed bringing undeveloped or unstaffed issues to the council’s attention. Additionally, one day prior to this conference, the branch CWOBs/RCWOs met together to discuss Branch specific issues in an open forum. All members felt that this was very successful and expressed a desire to continue this is the future. See After Action Report.

On March 26, 2009, All Army Activities Message 057/2009 announced the Calendar Year 2008 General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award Winners. An award ceremony and associated events will take place in Washington, DC during 7 - 8 May 09. Among the 28 officers selected for this prestigious award were CW2 Alan R. Hamilton, Active Army, USASOC; CW2 David J. Storer, Army National Guard, Utah; and WO1 Jose D. Ahumada, Army Reserve, USARCENT.

On April 3, 2009, the Chief of the Army Reserve (CAR) delegated management responsibility for USAR Active Guard (AGR) Warrant Officers to the Command Chief Warrant Officer - Army Reserve (CCWO-AR). For specifics see the HQDA-OCAR Memo at http://www.usawoa.org/downloads\AGR-WO-Management-Memo-Apr2009.pdf

On May 7, 2009, the 2009 Army Posture Statement. An APS Information Paper covers the evolving "Officer Education System - Warrant Officers (OES-W)" which when fully implemented will replace the Warrant Officer Education System (WOES) of the past.

In May 2009, The Chief of the Adjutant General's Corps, COL Robert L. Manning, announced the winners Adjutant General's Corps Officer, Warrant Officer, Noncommissioned Officer, Soldier, and Civilian of the Year. The Warrant Officer of the Year winners are: 1st - CW2 Qasim Sattar, Warrant Officer Career College, Ft Rucker, AL; 2nd - CW3 Aner Henriquez, Jr., 7th SF Group (Airborne) Ft Bragg, NC; and 3rd - CW2(P) Anthony Cavalieri, IV, Joint Special Operations Command, Ft Bragg, NC - see more.

Effective May 12, 2009, CW5 Richard Ernest was appointed by the Director Army National Guard as Command Chief Warrant Officer in the National Guard Bureau - see Memo. Ernest replaced CW5 Thomas M. O'Sullivan pending selection of a permanent NGB CCWO.

In June 2009, a Warrant Officer Leader Development Overview Briefing was released by the Army Leader Development Office, Fort Leavenworth, KS. The briefing provides updates on the status of the five active WO-specific leader development initiatives included in the program: Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course Redesign; Transform Warrant Officer Education; Include Warrant Officers in Army Research Institute (ARI) Survey of Officer Careers; Warrant Officer Professional Military Education (PME) Course Completion Requirement; and WO1 Commissioning. The ALDP is now the Army's process for moving forward leader development initiatives across all components, cohorts, and domains - see briefing.

In June, Warrant Officer (WO1) Johnathan Holsey, the first Army amputee to attend warrant officer school, has his new rank pinned by his sons at his graduation ceremony. Holsey, an Army human resources technician, made Army history as the first Army amputee to attend Warrant Officer School and to pin on warrant officer bars. He was injured in Iraq in 2004 by an improvised explosive device, and had his left leg amputated below the knee - see more.

On June 15, 2009, Major General James E. Chambers, Commanding General U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee Sustainment Center of Excellence, presided at a Change of Responsibility ceremony from Chief Warrant Officer Five Jeffie L. Moore to Chief Warrant Officer Five Michael J. Wichterman at The Logistics Memorial SCoE Headquarters Fort Lee, Virginia

On 18 June 2009, Chief Warrant Officer Five Scott B. Hagar assumed the position of Chief Warrant Officer of the Adjutant General’s Corps from Chief Warrant Five Ron Galloway in the Change of Responsibility ceremony conducted by the AG School Commandant Colonel Robert Manning.

Pictured from left to right are the four Chief Warrant Officers of the Adjutant General’s Corps, CW5 Charlie Wigglesworth 2003-2005, CW5 (Ret) Gerald Sims 2005-2007, CW5 Ron Galloway 2007-2009, and CW5 Scott B. Hagar 2009-present.

On June 19, 2009, the U.S. Army Combined Arms Command (CAC) and Fort Leavenworth celebrated the achievements and legacy of Chief Warrant Officer (Ret) Harry Hollowell with a road dedication. CWO Hollowell began his career at Fort Leavenworth in the 1930s as an enlisted Buffalo Soldier and during his 30-year career became the first African-American bandmaster and reached the rank of Chief Warrant Office 4. The site of the new Hollowell Drive is one block west of Hancock Ave. off of Hunt Road (the housing road nearest the Hancock Gate).

Also On June 19, 2009, Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert L. Meeks, left, discusses education center programs with soldiers at Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq, June 15, 2009. - see complete story.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Derek M. Smith

RESCUE ON THE RAILS

Current, former soldier triage, treat wounded in D.C. metro disaster

On June 22, 2009, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis Oglesby (pictured left) and former Army Master Sgt. Martin Griffith (pictured right) didn’t realize right away that a Metrorail train had smashed into the rear of the train they had just boarded. “I heard a loud noise from the rear of the car ... what the [expletive] was that?” Griffith recalled saying. No one was hurt in their car, the fifth on the six-car train, so Oglesby said “let’s go.” Griffith followed. “We took off and ran for the rear of our car and opened up the emergency doors between that car and our car,” Griffith said. “The people in that car were all lying on the floor in various states of picking themselves up.” Griffith and Oglesby, who both work at the Pentagon in the Army’s Personnel Recovery Branch, had no way of knowing it at the time, but they were in the middle of the worst Metrorail train crash in the Washington, D.C., subway system’s 33-year history. When it was over, nine people would be dead and more than 70 injured. Oglesby, who has served 25 years in the Army and is a veteran of the first Gulf War and Somalia, has been recommended for the Soldier‟s Medal, he said. Griffith has been recommended for the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service, the highest award granted by Army secretary to Army civilian personnel, he said. Griffith said he credits the training he received in the Army for helping him cope that day. “I couldn't leave someone calling for help,” he said.

(See complete story courtesy Army Times, Aug. 24, 2009)

Also in June 2009, The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade came home from a year in Iraq with every one of its 113 helicopters and 2,800 soldiers. The brigade logged 92,000 flight hours, transported 3,500 patients, did 22,000 troop movements and ferried countless numbers of people to locations in and around Baghdad with no accidents, no injuries and no fatalities, COL Pat Tierney, the commander said. He credited the safety record not only to luck and hard work, but also to giving the chief warrant officers an elevated status on par with battalion and brigade commanders and command sergeants major, and giving them a “somewhat unorthodox” title. “We called them ‘command chief warrant officers,’ ” Tierney said. The brigade was “really fortunate” to deploy with several senior warrant officers, he said. Their expertise, and their command status, may have helped save lives, he said. He made the unusual move of placing chief warrant officers 5 in each of his five battalions and kept one in particular at the top of the brigade with him and his command sergeant major. That one was Chief Warrant Officer 5 Lance McElhiney, a 62-year-old with 41 years flying Army helicopters. See complete article - courtesy ArmyTimes.com.

July 9, 2009 - 91st Birthday of the Army Warrant Officer Corps

The Adjutant General's School commemorated Corps' 91st Birthday

On July 9, 2009, the Adjutant General's School commemorated the Army Warrant Officer Corps' 91st Birthday at the Soldier Support Institute, Fort Jackson, SC. CW5 Jeanne Pace (left) and WO1 Nandi Branford had the honor of cutting the cake. COL Robert Manning, Commandant, Adjutant General's School and CW5 Scott Hagar were conference called to provide opening remarks and toast the momentus occasion. The birthday commemoration was attended by over fifty active duty and retired Adjutant General warrant officers and other personnel from throughout the Soldier Support Institute.

91st Army WO Birthday Celebrated at Camp Phoenix

On 9 July 2009, at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan, left to right, WO1 Charles Preble, SCARNG attached to 48th IBCT; CW5 Paul Huber, Deputy J1, CJTF-Phoenix IX; and WO1 Gary Smith, HHC 148th BSB, 48th IBCT.

Twenty-one Warrant Officers assembled and agreed to start the Phoenix Chapter of the U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association. Pictured is the cake cutting at their Warrant Officer meeting.

Kandahar Chapter Celebrates 91st Army WO Birthday

On July 9, 2009, the Kandahar Provisional Chapter commemorated the 91st Birthday of the Army Warrant Officer with WOPD, a BBQ, a Chapter Meeting, and Group photo (see below). Pictured right are CW4 Randy Galbraith (Retiree recall), CW5 David N. Conrad 33 years and CW4 James Carr (Retiree recall) celebrate "Over 100 years of Warrant Officer service!" Conrad is the Chapter President and CCWO of 143rd ESC MRB.

Kandahar Chapter Receives Donated Flag

The Fort McCoy Chapter normally sells USAWOA Chapter Flags for $132 each. However, when one of their own, CW5 David Conrad recently deployed to Afghanistan and created a Provisional Kandahar Chapter, a flag was quickly donated at no cost.

First Time Warrant Officer Instructors at Command & General Staff College

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (HoA News Service, July 15, 2009) – History is changing fast for tomorrow’s Army warrant officers. For the first time, U.S. Army warrant officers have been assigned as instructors for the Intermediate Level Education course at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Chief Warrant Officers 4 Darren Lester, Ronnie Patrick, Brian Edwards and Anthony Williams are currently assigned to the College's Department of Logistics and Resource Operations. They will present and facilitate graduate-level course material in multi-functional logistics at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of war for active duty, army reserve, national guard, sister-service, international and interagency students. Pictured left are CW4 Anthony Williams and Darren Lester (Ordnance Corps) and pictured right CW4 Brain Edwards and Ronnie Patrick (Quartermaster Corps).

On July 25, 2009, about 50 wounded warriors, some from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and others from the Heidelberg and Mannheim Warrior Transition Units we treated by the USAWOA Rhein-Neckar Silver Chapter to a barbecue and riverboat cruise to Neckarsteinac for the annual four-castle illumination. This was all in cooperation with the Wounded Warrior Program, a on-man volunteer program started and run by retired Marine Chief Warrant Officer 3 Bill Black. The Rhein-Neckar Chapter (and formerly the Heidelberg Chapter) have been doing riverboat rides since 1992. See Herald Post article and collage of pictures.

Pictured to the right are (l to r) Mr. Mike Hurley from USAA, a sponsor and CW4 Tom Fisk, USAWOA Rhein-Neckar Chapter President)

On 30 July 2009, DISA Director Lt. Gen. Carroll F. Pollett presented the Army’s Soldiers Medal to CW3 (P) Walter B. Harris at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Army Reserve CW3 (P) Walter B. Harris the occasion on Dec. 2, 2006 was a life-or-death race to save the lives of two people at the risk of his own life. Harris was awarded the prestigious Soldier’s Medal - the Army’s highest award for heroism not involving combat - for risking his life to safely drag his unconscious father-in-law out of a poisonous house that had eight times the lethal limit carbon-monoxide in Harris’ hometown of Glen Carbon, Ill., and for attempting to save his mother-in-law from the deadly effects of the poisonous gas. Harris is a civilian Technical Support and System Administrator Chief with the Procurement Directorate at the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. He commands a detachment of U.S. Army Reserve Element-DISA at the base. Pictured left: LTG Pollett pins the medal on CW3 Harris. Pictured right: CW5 James Thompson, Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army Reserve and CW3 Harris.

" A soldier does not die alone"

In August 2009, due to the affiliation of the USAWOA Redstone Arsenal Chapter and endorsement of the North Alabama Veterans and Fraternal Organizations Coalition and the Madison County (AL) Coroner, the Chapter was notified by the Veterans Administration that a U. S. Army Veteran, PVT David Leroy Hill, had died in June 2009 and was being held in a Huntsville, AL Funeral Home with no family or friends to see him off. Chapter President CW4 (Ret) Max Bennett coordinated transportation with Serra Toyota of Decatur, AL, who lent a van for transportation of the remains. The Huntsville Times sent a reporter to cover the event. Mr. Bennett drove two hours to the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL with the remains with about 6 Patriot Guard Riders. Waiting at the Cemetery were many more (about 25 total). Mr. Bennett gave the Eulogy and Chaplain Jim Henderson, the AUSA Chaplain, performed the service. PVT Hill was given a beautiful military funeral, complete with a bugler playing TAPS, and was laid to rest next to other Veterans, as he deserved. As there was no family, the Flag was presented to Mr. Bennet on behalf of the family of the deceased. Mr. Bennett then donated the Flag to the Alabama National Cemetery who will fly this flag, and other donated flags, at the cemetery. Pictured left: Mr. Bennett drives the van containing the remains of PVT Hill to the Alabama National Cemetery. See the article published in The Huntsville Times.

From September 15 -17, 2009, the Army's Senior Warrant Officer Advisory Council (SWOAC) met at Fort Huachuca, AZ to serve as a continuing body to introduce, review and address potential issues concerning Army systems, policies, and programs designed to produce ready and relevant warrant officers who are capable of supporting the Army mission in their roles as Soldiers, officers, leaders, and technicians across the full spectrum of operational environments. - see After Action Report.

On September 17, 2009, the Army Reserve G-1 issued a Memorandum issuing guidance for appointing Army Reserve commissioned officers approaching mandatory removal or removed from the active status for maximum years of commissioned service to be eligible to become Army Reserve warrant officers as an exception to Army Regulation (AR) 135-100. Authority for this exception was granted by the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs on July 28, 2009- see memos.

On September 24, 2009, CW4 Richard Myers, Chief of Warrant Officer Proponency, Warrant Officer Career College provided an overview of the Warrant Officer Staff Course and Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course redesign - see overview.

In September 2009, — Passengers on a Tuesday afternoon’s United Airlines flight from Denver to Boise refrained from the typical chaos of getting off a long flight and instead sat quietly in their seats while two somber passengers deplaned. The crowd was hushed until it gave a standing ovation to Ron and Jeff Phelps, and their precious cargo.

The Phelps brothers were bringing their father home. Chief Warrant Officer Don Phelps, a decorated helicopter pilot, was killed in 1965 during the Vietnam War. His aircraft, his body and the bodies of three crewmates were missing for nearly 44 years until the crash site was uncovered earlier this year.

(See complete story and, obituary)

In September 2009, CW4 Thomas J Wilson replaced CW5 Michael Wichterman as the Transportation Corps Warrant Officer Proponent - see CW4 Wilson's biography.

On November 3, 2009, Warrant Officers Foundation Chairman of the Board CW5 (Ret) Richard Markle visited the Army Historical Foundation (AHF). During the visit the WOHF proposal was presented for approval to fund and place six granite benches in the Memorial Garden of the National Museum of the U. S. Army (NMUSA) engraved in memory of our Fallen Warrant Officer Comrades. The theme is "SOME GAVE ALL - ALL GAVE SOME" with each bench engraved to cover a period of conflict, i.e. 'THE WORLD WARS", “KOREA”, “VIETNAM”, “PANAMA - SOMALIA – HAITI”, “PERSIAN GULF” and “GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR”. Also during the visit, Markle presented a $5,000 check to the National Museum Capital Fund Raiser in behalf of the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation (WOHF) and the U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association (USAWOA). Also presented were two copies of WARRANT The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer history book, one for the NMUSA Research Library and the other as a desk reference for the AHF Historian. Also on November 3rd, WOHF Historian Emeritus CW4 (Ret) Don Hess and USAWOA National President CW5 Gary Nisker announced the Memorial Bench design and the $5,000 donation to the NMUSA Fund Raiser to the attendees at the USAWOA 37th AMM in Salt Lake City. Also announced was a campaign to raise $100,000 toward construction of a Warrant Officer Historical Exhibit commemorating the 100th Birthday of the Army Warrant Officer Corps in July 2018 - see more.

WARRANT The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer continues at the links below:

Summary

Credits

Warrant Officer Programs of Other U.S. Uniformed Services

Additional Resources

Related Web Sites

Donate to the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation efforts to construct of a

Historical Exhibit in honor of the 100th Birthday of the establishment of Army Warrant

Officer Corps on July 9, 1918 in the Army Mine Planter Service of the Coast Artillery.

You also have the option of sending a donation to the Foundation by Check.

No donation is too small!

All Donations, Grants, and Bequests are Tax Deductible within the limits prescribed by law.

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WO Heritage Net 11/5/2009