Army Warrant Officer History - Part II (1997-2007)

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ARMY WARRANT OFFICER HISTORY

"The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer"

Part II - 1997 to 2007

| 1997-2004 | 2005-2007 |

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1997 - 2004

In December 1997, the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) signed a memorandum changing the policy for release from active duty for Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Warrant Officers of the Army National Guard and Army Reserve to exclude enlisted active service when computing Active Federal Service for AGR Warrant Officers. The enlisted service continues to be creditable for retirement purposes. See Army message announcing this change effective 1 January 1998.

In 1988 and 1989, initial USAR position rank coding resulted in 145 WO positions being rank coded for CW5s - Master Warrant Officer (MWO) fill. CW5 positions were placed at the Officer of the Chief, Army Reserve; U.S.> Army Reserve Command; Army Reserve Personnel Command, Army Reserve Commands; and a few other Tables of Authorization organizations.

In September 1999, General Eric K. Shinseki, then the Chief of Staff, Army, chartered the Army Development System (ADS) XXI Task Force to examine the enlisted and Warrant Officer personnel management systems. See more information is ADS XXI WO Frequently Asked questions (2002).

Also in September 1999, and article entitled Warrant Officers have been the Experts in Service since our country's beginning by Shelly Davis, was published in The RETIRED OFFICER magazine of then The Retired Officer Association (TROA).

In the late 1990s, CW5 Antonio B. Eclavea served as Assistant Executive Officer to the Chief of Staff, Army in the Pentagon. In 2010 Eclavea was inducted into the Adjutant Generals Corps Hall of Fame - see more.

Also in 1999, a Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) program was approved for implementation by the National Guard Bureau (NGB). CW5 CCWO positions were added to each State Area Command Headquarter (STARC). These CW5 positions were in addition to the existing 3 to 5 CW5s authorized in each State or Territory. The duties of the CCWO were: to address WO strength problems and WO recruiting; establish a mentor program for warrant officer candidates (WOC) and junior WO; and to serve as a technical advisor to the State Adjutant General on WO management and career development.

In 2000, an Active Guard Reserve CW5 CCWO position was added at NGB Headquarters. CW5 Robert J. Wharton was appointed as the first Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard.

In December 2000, the Chief, Army Reserve authorized adding a CW5 Command Chief Warrant Officer position at each Regional Support Command.

In May 2001, the Army moved on Warrant Officer Personnel Management Changes - with 23 of 24 ADS XXI initiatives approved by the Army Chief of Staff, the Army is moved to refine its personnel management systems - see News Release.

In May 2001, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nicholas L. Punimata became a part of Warrant Officer History by being the first Warrant Officer to be presented the prestigious General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. His award was presented on May 23, 2001 in the Pentagon by General Eric K. Shinseki, Chief of Staff, Army and Mr. William Sherman Hull from the General Douglas MacArthur Foundation. During the ceremony, in addition to CW2 Punimata, 23 company grade award nominees of Major Army Commands (MACOM), Army National Guard, and Army Reserve level competitions were also honored as MacArthur Leadership Awardees. CW2 Punimata was assigned as Commander, Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 151, Fort Lewis when selected. His hometown is Utile, American Samoa. (Pictured (l to r): GEN Eric Shinseki, then Chief of Staff, Army, presents a General Douglas MacArthur Bust to CW2 Punimata while Mr. Hull from the MacArthur Foundation looks on.)

Also in 2001, Warrant Officer 1 Angela Lowe was the first female Field Artillery Warrant Officer to graduate from Warrant Officer Candidate School. See Pacific Edition Stars & Stripes article of April 21, 2007 for more about this fine officer.

Further, in 2001, the then Warrant Officer Career Center (WOCC) issued a set of "Warrant Officer Values Posters" following the "Army Values Theme of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage" - see the 2001 posters. In 2006 a revised set of posters was issued by the now Warrant Officer Career College - see more.

In February 2002, "The Warrant Officer Ranks: Adding Flexibility to Military Personnel Management," a report released by the Congressional Budget Office of the U.S. Congress in February 2002 (applies to all services) - see Fact Sheet. To view the Report go to www.cbo.gov, click on "Publications", then click on "Search" and enter "warrant" in the "word/Phrase" block. The Report will appear in the right hand panel. Click "More" to view the report or you may download the file.

On May 17, 2002, the Ninth Quadrennial Review of Military Compensation Report was released. Warrant Officer compensation is covered in the Executive Summary and in the body of the report.

On July 18, 2002, the Army Training and Leader Development Panel Reports on the Warrant Officer Study - The Report and recommendations were released on August 22, 2002 after briefing to and approval by the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Army. The Final Report is available to be viewed, printed or downloaded.

On August 29, 2002, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Daniel J. Logan, Jr., was appointed as the first Warrant Officer Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Army - see CSA Sends message.

In October 2002, the Navy Secretary Authorized Pay Grade W5 beginning in Fiscal Year 2004 - The Navy announced that the 2004 Promotion Selection Board will include CWO4 selection for CWO5. Over a five year period some 84 CWO5 billets (5% authorized by WOMA) of the Navy Warrant Officer Corps may serve in the grade of Chief Warrant Officer Five. See Navy BUPERS Message.

In January 2003, "In the Company of Heroes" was authored by Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Ret) Michael J. Durant with Steven Hartov. Durant was one of the pilots several injured in the battle of October 3 and 4, 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia who survived. (See also Blackhawk Down in this history)

In March 2003, Three Female Army Warrant Officers were Featured in the National Media:

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Concetta Hassan, a CH-47 Chinook pilot, "Is very much the 60-year-old grandmother she appears to be, boasting about her family and looking forward to retirement" - see the USA Today story. CW4 Hassan was also featured on the NBC Today Show during the week of March 17th.

Chief Warrant Officer Charisma Henzie also a CH-47 Chinook pilot - "Perched on her cot, Charisma Henzie rips open a box sent through military mail and pulls out a white stuffed cat. Press here, reads the instructions on the belly and she does. "Happy 26th Birthday!" croaks a baritone, a recording of her father's voice. "A cat for Kuwait!" - see the Washington Post story.

Warrant Officer 1 Laquitta Joseph, a Maintenance Technician, "The first thing Warrant Officer Laquitta Joseph did the other day was find the private who inadvertently -- and foolishly -- had dirtied up her truck with a broken oil-leaking transmission differential." - see the Wall Street Journal story.

On 27 August 2003, the Chief of Staff, Army announced the second Warrant Officer Advisor. An Army message announced Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jerry L. Dillard as the second Warrant Officer Advisor to the CSA - see CSA Sends message.

In September 2003, the second Don Stivers' Warrant Officer Limited Edition Serial Numbered Print "LET GO!" was commissioned by the U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association. The artwork commemorates the birth of the Army Warrant Officer Corps: that being the July 1918 act of Congress founding the Army Mine Planter Service as part of the Coast Artillery Corps. The act designated Warrant Officers to serve as masters, mates, chief engineers and assistant engineers of mine-planting vessels - see more information about the print.

(This print is a follow-on the "The Quiet Professional" by the late Don Stivers - see more)

In January 2004, Lieutenant General Roger Schultz, Director of the Army National Guard, announced the selection of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Poyas Haynes as the new Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard. CCWO Haynes has served in a long and distinguished career with the Army and the South Carolina Army National Guard - see more with biography.

In April 2004, Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Koch became the new Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army Reserve.

In April 2004, the Army Reserve Instituted New Warrant Officer Military Professional Development Education Requirements - Warrant Officers with an effective date of rank (DOR) of January 1, 2005 and after require the following minimum military professional development education. Warrant Officer Advance Course (WOAC) will be provided earlier in the career to enhance the technical readiness capabilities of the force. The WOAC will now be required for all Warrant Officers between the sixth and eight year of Warrant Officer service or before selection to Chief Warrant Officer 3. The Warrant Officer Staff Course (WOSC) will now be provided to all Warrant Officers between their 12th and 14th year of Warrant Officer service or before selection to Chief Warrant Officer 4. In the case of selection to Chief Warrant Officer 5, the WOSC must be completed for selection and the Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course (WOSSC) must be completed for promotion pin-on. CW2, CW3, and CW4 with a DOR earlier than January 1, 2005 must meet the military Professional Development Education (PDE) requirements currently listed in Table 2-3, AR 135-155. However, it does not preclude educational requirements from being completed for future promotion consideration. Effective April 9, 2004 the education requirements list above were authorized and fully funded. See Memorandum.

In the Spring of 2004, the Commandant and Staff at the Warrant Officer Career Center, Fort Rucker, AL established "The Order of the Eagle Rising Society" as a joint venture with the Military Officers Association (MOAA) as sponsor. The Bylaws of the Society show the purpose as "Recognition of exceptional individuals who have contributed significantly to the promotion of the Warrant Officer Community in ways that stand out in the eyes of the recipient's superiors, subordinates, and peers. These individuals must have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displayed a high degree of professional competence, and have served the United States Army Community with distinction." Nominees for the order of the Eagle Rising must have served as a member of the U.S. Military or as a civilian working with the military community and meet the foregoing criteria.

On 9 July 2004, new Chief Warrant Officer Five (ICW5) insignia and wear of Army Officer Branch insignia & branch colors were announced as uniform changes for Army Warrant Officers - see message. The new CW5 insignia is a silver-colored bar, 3/8 inches in width and 1-1/8 inches in length, with a black line in the center of the bar (pictured to the left) - This aligned the Army CW5 Insignia with that of the Navy and the Marine Corps, particularly it makes the rank more readily recognizable in joint operations. Ceremonial Warrant Officer Insignia Change and Flag Ceremonies were held at various locations on 9 July and other dates. This change in effect relegated the brass Eagle Rising insignia into Warrant Officer Corps history. Ceremonies were held at many units, organizations, installations, and command around the world where Warrant Officers were pinned with their Officer Branch insignia, CW5s were pinned with the new insignia and Warrant Officers were welcomed into their individual officer branch.

From July 13 to 15, 2004, a Senior Warrant Officer Conference was hosted by the Warrant Officer Career Center, Fort Rucker, Alabama - U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association National President CW5 Franklin D. Meeks and Warrant Officer Heritage Foundation President CW5 (Ret) David P. Welsh both attended the three-days of events.

In a ceremony on July 14, 2004, the main Warrant Officer Career Center Building was dedicated in Honor of CW5 Sharon T. Swartworth - Building 5302, home of the Army Warrant Officer Career Center at Fort Rucker, AL was dedicated as "Swartworth Hall." The memorial is in memory of CW5 Swartworth who was killed in action in Iraq on November 7, 2003. CW5 Swartworth was performing duties as the Judge Advocate General's Regimental Chief Warrant Officer in a support mission to visit soldiers of the Judge Advocate General's Corps who were stationed in Iraq, when the UH-60 Black Hawk that she was aboard was shot down near Tikrit. During the course of the dedication ceremony, USAWOA President CW5 Frank Meeks presented a painting of Sharon for display. Pictured left - Building 5302 dedication plaque --- Pictured right - COL Enderle, WOCC Commandant and CW5 Meeks, U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association National (USAWOA) President unveil the portrait. (Pictures by CW5 (Ret) Dave Welsh)

Also on July 14, another of the many events included the 86th Anniversary of the Warrant Officer Corps Ball on July 14, 2004. General Richard A. Cody, Vice Chief of Staff, Army, was the guest speaker.

Pictured left are USAWOA National President CW5 Frank Meeks and
Gen. Richard A. Cody, Vice Chief of Staff, Army.

Pictured right are CW5 Meeks and Medal of Honor
recipient CW4 (Ret) Michael Novosel who was one of the first inductees into
The Order of the Rising Eagle Society.

Also inducted into The Order of the Eagle Rising Society was Medal of Honor recipient and former Warrant Officer MAJ (Ret) Frederick Ferguson, also one of the first inductees.

(Pictures courtesy CW5 Daniel R. Curry)

In October 2004, the Department of Health and Human Services awarded a contract to support the development of a Public Health Service Warrant Officer program - more.

Also in 2004, CW5 Poyas M. Haynes was appointed Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard replacing CW5 Robert Wharton.

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A New Era

2005 - 2007

On February 1, 2005, the Army Remembered Women Judge Advocate General Corps (JAGC) Pioneers - the ribbon was cut on a JAGC Exhibit at the Army Women's Museum at Fort Lee, VA. The exhibit includes a highlight on the career of Chief Warrant Officer Five Sharon Swartworth the first active Army CW5 and the first female Regimental Warrant Officer of the JAGC. She was killed in November 2003 when the Blackhawk helicopter she was riding in was shot down near Tikrit, Iraq. See Army News Service story

February through August of 2005 saw many changes introduced as the Army Warrant Officer Corps underwent Army Transformation:

In February, the Chief of Staff, Army sent a message on Warrant Officer Recruiting to the Commanders of all Army activities - see Message for details.

Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialties Reclassification Actions for FY06 - see message for details.

Warrant Officer Bonuses ---

--- $6K bonus aims to cut Reserve Component officer shortage - Affiliation bonus of $6,000 available to officers and warrant officers leaving active duty and signing up for service with National Guard or Army Reserve units - see News Release.

--- Special Forces Warrant Officer Accession Bonus - MILPER Message 05-127 announced a $20,000 special accession bonus for NCOs in specified enlisted MOS who are selected for training as Special Forces Warrant Officers. Soldiers who received an SRB/CSRB who are selected and appointed as an SF Warrant Officer will not be required to repay the previously awarded SRB/CSRB disbursement but will be required to sign a service agreement. See MILPER Message for details.

--- Critical Skills Retention Bonus for Special Forces Warrant Officers - MILPER Message 05-126. This CSRB is targeted to retirement-eligible career Warrant Officers in MOS 180A with between 19 – 25 years of active federal service who are eligible for continued service.

--- Critical Skills Retention Bonus for Military Intelligence Warrant Officers. This CSRB is targeted to retirement-eligible MI Warrant Officers in specific MOS - see MILPER Message 05-105 for MOS and details.

Officer and Warrant Officer Active Duty Programs - information on possibilities for active duty programs for officers and warrant officers provided by the Chief, Officer Accessions, Retirements and Separations Branch, US Army Human Resources Command-Alexandria - more.

Army Physical Fitness Test Standards Message Regarding Enrollment in Warrant Officer and Officer Candidate Schools - Army also issues Change 1 to the Policy - see both messages.

Guidance issued for Army Reserve Warrant Officers serving as Commanders that are not Warrant Officer Billets.

"Warrant Officer Recruiting and Retention Plan" a "must read" article on new initiatives to fill Warrant Officer positions in the active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve force structure. Read it now.

De-Linking of Warrant Officer training and education from promotion effective immediately and applies to active Duty List, Army National Guard and Army Reserve Warrant Officers - see ALARACT 116/2005.

On March 24, 2005, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Douglas D. Frank became the Chief Warrant Officer of the Special Forces Branch, MOS 180A Proponent Manager, and Senior Warrant Officer Advisor to the Commanding General, United States Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School - see Biography and picture.

In July 2005, CW4 (Ret) Donald E. Hess and CW4 (Ret) Willie Ruff (deceased) were inducted into the Order of the "Eagle Rising Society" at the 87th Anniversary of the Warrant Officer Corps Ball at Fort Rucker, AL.

In 14 October 2005, New Army Warrant Officer Definitions were published in Department of the Army Pamphlet 600-3. This Pamphlet includes the career development of Warrant Officers, thus superseding Department of the Army Pamphlet 600-11. See new definitions. Entire DA Pam 600-3 is available for download. Be patient, this is a large file consisting of some 500 pages.

On November 1, 2005 the Army Vice Chief of Staff (VCSA) issued a Charter establishing the Senior Warrant Officer Advisory Council (SWOAC) with the mission 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 "SWOAC, What it is, What it is not." for more information.

In November 7, 2005, Warrant Officer Division in the Army Human Resources Command, Alexandria, VA ceased to exist. All warrant officer career managers now come under the direct supervision of the proponent branch within the Officer Personnel Management Directorate. Although warrant officer career managers are aligning Warrant Officers with the branch to more effectively manage the officer Corps, procedures with the field are not changed. The current phone numbers and email addresses remain the same for each Warrant Officer Assignment officer. The web-page for each warrant officer assignment officer will migrate to the appropriate assignment division web site. This change was announced in MILPER Message 05-277 on November 4, 2005.

In February 2006, the Warrant Officer Advisor to the Chief of Staff Army provided an update on Warrant Officer Issues including - see complete text of the update.

In March 2006, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Carl Jenkins was selected and assigned as the third Assistant Executive Officer and Warrant Officer Advisor to the 35th Chief of Staff, Army, General Peter J. Schoomaker and continued to serve in the same capacity for the 36th Chief of Staff, Army, General George W. Casey, Jr. - see Biography and picture.

In April 2006, the Army National Guard was authorized to undertake Reserve Component Warrant Officer Candidate School training for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve. U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Warrants Officer Career Center (WOCC) approved the conduct of a pilot program with Warrant Officer Candidates enrolled in a Distance Learning Course (Phase 1) conducted by the WOCC) via the web. Phase 2, consisting of five Inactive Duty Training weekends, was conducted by 13 State Regional Training Institutes between April and August 2006. States participating in the Phase 2 training were Alabama, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas. Phase 3, a two-week Annual Training period, was conducted at the 138th Regiment Regional Training Institute at Camp Atterbury, Indiana from September 15 to 30, 2006. Phase 3 graduated 119 Candidates with 116 from the Army National Guard and 3 from the Army Reserve.

In July 12, 2006, the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower & Reserve Affairs) approved a policy change to create separate competitive categories of Active Guard-Reserve and Non-Active Guard-Reserve for all Army Reserve warrant officers that are considered by mandatory promotion selection boards, effective Calendar Year 2007.

In July 2006, CW5 David Williams and CW5 Dean Stoops were inducted into the Order of the "Eagle Rising Society" at the 88th Anniversary of the Warrant Officer Corps Ball at Fort Rucker, AL.

In October 2006, Army Field Manual, FM 6-22, Army Leadership, was published. There had been a lot of discussion about Warrant Officers roles and responsibilities as leaders and officers. FM 6-22 seems to remove all doubt as to how the Army views Warrant Officers as leaders and officers. See extract of Chapter 3, FM 6-22.

In November 2006, Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty 150A, Air Traffic and Air Space Management Technician, reopened. The MOS, formerly know as just Air Traffic Control Technician had been closed for many years.

Also in 2006, the now Warrant Officer Career College issued a revised set of "Warrant Officer Values Posters" again following the Army Values Theme of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. This version contains inserts with the corresponding Army Value poster - see revised 2006 posters and/or the original 2001 posters.

On January 11, 2007, the time in service policy changed for Regular Army Warrant Officers - RA Warrant Officers of any grade are authorized to serve until completion of 30 years of active service as a WO. Previously the statute authorized RA Warrant Officers in the grade of Chief Warrant Officer 5 only to serve until completion of 30 years of active service as a WO - see Memo.

In January 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Randall G. Gant became the third Chief Warrant Officer of Aviation Branch - see biography and picture. (Courtesy Warrant Officer Net)

Also in January 2007, announcement of an Interim Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard was made. Lieutenant General Clyde A. Vaughn, Director, Army National Guard (DARNG) announced during his welcoming comments at a meeting of ARNG Senior Warrant Officers, that he selected an "interim" Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard. The announcement came after the recent tour completion of Chief Warrant Officer 5 Poyas Haynes. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Sal Green is the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the State of Florida. CW5 Green started his duties as CCWO ARNG on 1 March and will serve until the DARNG has an opportunity to select a permanent NGB CCWO.

On February 21, 2007, CW4 Scott Upton, a Black Hawk pilot saved lives, earned the Distinguished Flying Cross. It was about 11 a.m. Feb. 21 in Iraq when Black Hawk helicopter pilot Scott Upton earned his Distinguished Flying Cross while possibly saving nine lives, including his own, in what the 22-year military veteran called a “controlled crash.” Upton, 42, a Chief Warrant Officer in the Utah Army National Guard, called his wife, Barbie, and four children on the same day. He wanted to tell his wife everything, but he wasn’t sure how much he should say. “I just told her, ‘I got shot down,”‘ he said. “She goes, ‘What?”‘ - see more. (Courtesy Deseret Morning News, Salt Lake City, Utah)

On March 28, 2007, one of 10 Last Army Draftees Retired. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert Rangel stands in front of a HAWK surface-to-air missile battery at Fort Bliss, Texas. Rangel was one of just 10 draftees still in the Army when he retired on March 28, 2007, according to Fort Bliss officials. Maj. Gen. Robert Lennox, Fort Bliss' commanding general, described Rangel as the “foremost expert” on air defense systems at the West Texas post - see more.

On 4 June 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ronald Galloway became the 3d Chief Warrant Officer of the Adjutant General Corps, replacing Chief Warrant Officer 5 Gerald Sims - see picture and biography. (Courtesy Warrant Officer Net)

On June 22, 2007, Colonel Mark T. Jones became the new commandant of the Warrant Officer Career Center during a change of command ceremony held at Fort Rucker's U.S. Army Aviation Museum. COL Jones replaced Colonel Glenwood Norris Jr., who is now the inspector general for the Space and Missile Defense Command, Redstone Arsenal. Prior to assuming command of WOCC, COL Jones was the Aviation Branch Personnel Proponency Director, Fort Rucker - see picture and biography. (Courtesy Warrant Officer Net)

It was just past midnight on July 1, 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kevin Purtee, of Houston, and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Allen Crist used their Apache to evacuate a badly wounded 3rd Infantry Division Soldier from the middle of a heavy firefight. CW2 Crist received the Distinguished Flying Cross for a heroic act in which he gave up his seat in an Apache helicopter for a wounded foot Soldier during a battle in Iraq - see the full story and a picture of CW2 Crist.

In July 2007, the Army announced one new Accession Bonus and one new Retention Bonus for Warrant Officers.

The Criminal Investigator Warrant Officer Accession Bonus Program: MILPER Message 07-169 announced that effective June 15, 2007, enlisted Soldiers accessing into warrant officer MOS 311A will be paid a lump sum amount of $20,000 upon successful completion of the Warrant Officer Basic Course for MOS 311A. Warrant officers will be obligated to serve on active duty in MOS 311A for a period of six years. Officers/warrant officers who reclassify into MOS 311A are not eligible to receive this bonus.

The Critical Skills Retention Bonus (CSRB) Program for Field Artillery Warrant Officers : MILPER Message 07-170 announced the CSRB program for specified Field Artillery warrant officer MOS 131A. The effective date for this program was June 28, 2007. This CSRB is targeted to retirement-eligible career warrant officers in MOS 131A with between 19 - 23 years active federal service, and who are fully eligible for continued service. Warrant officers in MOS 131A may request CSRB entitlement up to 25 years active federal service.

On 1 July 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael G. Anderson assumed duties as the Chairman of the Senior Warrant Officer Advisory Council and the Senior Warrant Officer Advisor to the Combined Arms Center Commanding General. He also served as the Center for Army Leadership Warrant Officer Leader Development Officer, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas - see Biography. (Courtesy Warrant Officer Net)

In July 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Matthew Anderson Sr. assumed the duties as Quartermaster Regimental Chief Warrant Officer, Quartermaster Center and School, Fort Lee Virginia - see his Quartermaster Professional Bulletin Article, picture, and biography. (Courtesy Warrant Officer Net)

Also in July 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Paul O'Meara assumed the duties as the Chief Warrant Officer of the Military Intelligence Corps and Military Intelligence Warrant Officer Proponent Manager - see biography and picture. (Courtesy Warrant Officer Net)

Also in July 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rick Johnson assumed the duties Chief Warrant Officer of the Judge Advocate General Corps replacing Chief Warrant Officer 4 Carol Hauck serving in Iraq - see biography and picture. (Courtesy Warrant Officer Net)

Also in July 2007, CW5 (Ret) Donald R. Howerton and CW5 Sharon T. Swarthworth (deceased) were inducted into the Order of the "Eagle Rising Society" at the 89th Anniversary of the Warrant Officer Corps Ball at Fort Rucker, AL.

In late July 2007, Warrant Officer in the Horse Cavalry - Pictured right, Honorary Capt. Rodney T. Preuss is ready to relinquish command of the B Troop, 4th U. S. Cavalry Regiment during a change-of-command ceremony at Fort Huachuca, AZ. The position was taken over by Jay D. Hizer, left, a retired chief warrant officer. Outgoing commander Preuss is an active duty Chief Warrant Officer 4.
(Courtesy Ed Honda-Herald/Review)

On August 6, 2007, the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that group remains of five U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, were returned to their families for burial with full military honors. The remains include two Army Warrant Officers, Chief Warrant Officer Dennis C. Hamilton, of Barnes City, Iowa and Chief Warrant Officer Sheldon D. Schultz, of Altoona, Pa. The group remains of the crew were buried on August 14th at Arlington National Cemetery.

On August 29, 2007, the Army National Guard G-1 issued policy Memorandum 07-025 authorizing the consideration of ARNG CW2 for promotion to CW3 with a reduced minimum time-in-grade of four years when promotion consideration is supported by assignment to a higher graded position and reduced the time-in-grade requirements to five years for all other CW2 - see memo.

In the Summer of 2007, The Iowa Militiaman magazine published an article entitled Warrant Officer Corps boast long history by Chief Warrant Officer 4 (Retired) Wesley Bender which provides a brief history of the Warrant Officer from an IOWA Army National Guard perspective - see article.

Also In the summer of 2007, Warrant Officers of the Rhein Neckar Silver Chapter of U.S. Army Warrant Officers Association teamed up with the Chaplain's Office at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center to take some Wounded Warriors on a tour of the Heidelberg Castle and on a boat ride - see the video. (This is a large file, please be patient while it downloads. You may have to download Real Player in order to run this video.)

Chief Warrant Officer Micah Johnson, right, shakes hands with Gen. David Petraeus, Multi-National Forces Iraq commander, after Petraeus presented him with the Distinguished Flying Cross during a ceremony in Baghdad July 27, 2007. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Nathan Hoskins)

On July 27, 2007, the top U.S. general in Iraq presented awards to four Apache pilots for their part in the July 2 rescue of two other pilots downed by enemy fire during a July 27 ceremony in the Victory Base Complex here. General David Petraeus, commander of Multi-National Forces Iraq, honored the four pilots of the 1st Cavalry Division's 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, and eight others who helped rescue the pilots. Chief Warrant Officer Allan Davison and Chief Warrant Officer Micah Johnson, both AH-64D Apache attack helicopter pilots for Company A, 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, received Distinguished Flying Crosses. Davison and Johnson landed their attack helicopter in a hostile area and evacuated the two downed OH-58 Kiowa helicopter pilots of the 3rd Infantry Division's 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.

Story and photos By Spc. Nathan Hoskins, USA

Special to American Forces Press Service 28 July 2007 (See complete story)

Pictured left --- Gen. David Petraeus, left,

Multi-National Forces Iraq commander,

addresses pilots during an awards ceremony

at the Victory Base Complex in Baghdad,

July 27, 2007. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Nathan Hoskins)

On August 17, 2007, training of the Air Traffic Services (ATS) Warrant Officers began. With the already busy airspace increasingly gaining activity and users, the air traffic services community will benefit from the re-establishment of the ATS warrant officer, MOS 150A, air traffic and airspace management technician. The move to use the warrant officer as platoon leaders in ATS companies will lead to an increase in the institutional knowledge and experience at the platoon level. A pilot course was initiated July 9 with five newly pinned WO1s selected as attendees in order to support an urgent need to fill division-level and below 150A positions. This first group of ATS warrant officers graduated Aug. 17. Another pilot course was conducted from Oct. 2 to Nov. 19 with eight Warrant Officers, six from the active and two from the reserve component. The implementation of these two pilot courses was driven by the Aviation and ATS Transformation Unit redesigns in accordance with the Army Campaign Plan's E-date timelines for the divisional combat aviation brigades - see more.

On the 20 August 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Martha Ervin, attached to a U. S. National Command Element in Kandahar, Afghanistan, with CSM Williams, SSgt Eckels, and interpreter Sammi went on a humanitarian trip to the village outside the base to hand out school supplies and clothes to the local people.
(Picture by CSM Williams with the 82d Airborne Division home based at Fort Bragg, NC.)

On August 30, 2007, Chief Warrant Officer Five David F. Cooper, Jr., assumed duties as the Regimental Warrant Officer of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) during a ceremony at Fort Campbell, KY - see complete story.
Pictured: Chief Warrant Officer 5 Karl Maier (left center), outgoing 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Regimental Warrant Officer (RWO), and retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Randy Jones (right center), Honorary 160th RWO, unveil the new command Regimental Warrant Officer plaque during a ceremony at Fort Campbell, KY, on August 30, 2007. For his contributions as the first Regiment Warrant Officer, CW5 Maier was nominated for and selected to receive the Order of St. Michael Silver Award. According to the Army Aviation Association of America documents that govern the awarding of this recognition, the silver medal is awarded for “an outstanding contribution to Army Aviation.” (Photo by Ruth Farwell, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment)

On September 10, 2007, Chief Warrant Officer Five James E. Thompson assumed the office of Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army Reserve. A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, he served at Logistics Support Activity Anaconda, Iraq. His long list of awards and decorations includes the Bronze Star - see biography.

On September 13, 2007, the Director of the Army National Guard announced that Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tom O’Sullivan would henceforth serve as the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard. In 2001, CW5 Tom O’Sullivan was selected to be the first Command Chief Warrant Officer for the State of Massachusetts from a field of twenty-seven eligible warrant officers. He was chosen the Region I Chair to the ARNG Senior Warrant Advisory Council in 2003 and elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Council in 2004. In 2006, Chief O’Sullivan received a “by-name” request to go to National Guard Bureau J5 as a senior policy analyst. At that time he left his civilian position of twenty five years, as a director of a regional vocational-technical high school - see biography.

On September 21, 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Roy Tolbert became the Green berets new top warrant officer. After six years on the job, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Lawrence Plesser handed over his responsibilities as the U.S. Army Special Forces Command’s chief warrant officer to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Roy Tolbert. The change of responsibility took place Friday inside the Maj. Gen. Robert G. McClure building on Fort Bragg, N.C., during a ceremony in which Plesser also was awarded a Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service and achievement. Tolbert, a native of Brewton, Ala., enlisted in the Alabama National Guard in 1969. In 1972, he joined the 20th Special Forces Group (A) and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1975. He was asked to come on active duty with the 5th Special Forces Group (A) at Ft. Bragg, N.C. in 1982. (See Article courtesy ArmyTimes.com)

From October 16-18. 2007 - The semi-annual Senior Warrant Officer Advisory Council (SWOAC) conference was held at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. During this three-day period, the following occurred: pre-staffed issues were reviewed followed by a council vote for action; 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. See the After Action Report at SWOAC-AAR-Oct07.pdf

In October 2007, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael L. Keith assumed the office of Transportation Corps Regimental Chief Warrant Officer, replacing Chief Warrant Officer 5 Chester Willis. See CW5 Keith's biography and picture. (Courtesy WO Net)

Also in October 2007, The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command announced a plan to accelerate leader development at all levels and a panel at the Association of the U.S. Army's annual meeting outlined more of the specifics. This plan was the first step which ultimately would evolve into integration of Warrant Officer Education System (WOES) into the Officer Education System (OES). See Press Release.

Further in October 2007, The U. S. Navy announced selection of 30 sailors for the Navy’s Flying Chief Warrant Officer Program, The new program is the first time that Sailors below E-7 will have the opportunity to become chief warrant officers, and the first to allow any Sailor to be commissioned to chief warrant officer as a pilot or naval flight officer. When Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class (AW) Amy Blades steps into the cockpit March 9, 2008, she’ll be one of the chosen few to take to the air through the Navy’s new Flying Chief Warrant Officer Program. Blades will train as a naval flight officer in either the SH-60 Seahawk or the P-3 Orion. (see article)

On November 9, 2007, a wing of Saltzman Hall at the Army Signal Center and School at Fort Gordon, GA was named in memory of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Alexander "Scott" Coulter. Scott is the only Signal warrant officer lost to date in our current war. It was a fantastic ceremony. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kevin Hanner and the folks at the schoolhouse put the program together. It was initiated, planned and implemented by warrant officers in memory of a fellow warrant officer - see story and pictures.

On November 22, 2007 - Chief Warrant Officer W2 William A. Duff, a QM Food Service Technician, Supervises Contractors for Thanksgiving Dinner in Iraq - see "Contractors help celebrate holiday in Iraq." (Based on a story by Lauren Frayer - The Associated Press)

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WARRANT The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer Index
| Dedication | Introduction | 1918 - The Birth of the Army Warrant Officer Corps |
| 1936-1949 | 1950-1974 | 1975-1983 | 1984-1988 | 1989-1991 | 1992-1996]
| 1997-2004 | 2005-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2011 | Summary | Credits |
| Warrant Officer Programs of Other Services |
| Additional Resources | Related Web Sites |

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WO Heritage Net 1/3/2012