ARMY WARRANT OFFICER HISTORY "The Legacy of Leadership as a Warrant Officer"
Part IV - 2010 - Present
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January 11, 2010, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Gary Nisker assumed the office of Command
Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard with duty in the Office of
the Director Army National Guard in the National Guard Bureau.
On January 29, 2010, Chief Warrant
Officer 5 Todd M. Boudreau
became the third Regimental Chief Warrant Officer of the Signal Regiment
assuming the position at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
See biography and
photo.
Also in January 2010, an article was published about Chief Warrant
Officer 5 Ronald
Galloway. As a Military
Assistant to The Secretary of The Army, CW5 Galloway provides Warrant
Officer Representation at the most senior level of our Army. By working at
the senior levels within the Army he has an opportunity to educate others on
what warrants are and how we represent 15 branches within the Army. Having
adequate representation at Department of the Army level and above is
extremely important for us as warrant officers.
See the
article
that provides a deeper look into who it is that represents the Army Warrant
Officer to the Secretary of the Army.
On March 9, 2010,
the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award Winners
for CY 2009 were announced - The twenty-eight
Officers selected epitomize the ideals for which for which General MacArthur
stood for: Duty, Honor, and Country. Among these selected officers were
three Warrant Officers: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Ricky W. Fowler, active Army,
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Mark J.
Simon, Army National Guard; Chief Warrant Officer 2 Thomas A. Yelito, Army Reserve. Award
activities, an Award Ceremony, and associated events will take place in
Washington, DC during 5 - 6 May 2010.
On 5 April
2010, the Senior Warrant Officer Advisory Council (SWOAC)
briefed General Chiarelli, Vice Chief of Staff, Army, on four warrant
officer issues brought to his attention at the February 2010 SWOAC
meeting. See SWOAC Update.
Pictured right: The Virginia National
Guard Warrant Officer Candidate School from the Blackstone-based 183rd
Regiment, Regional Training Institute conducted a building dedication
ceremony April 17 at Fort Pickett to officially open its new home in
Building 1694. The building will be used to house offices for the WOCS cadre
and also has student classrooms and overnight quarters for twenty male and
six female warrant officer candidates. (Photo by Maj. Cotton Puryear, Virginia Guard
Public Affairs)
In April 2010,
Chief Warrant 5 Wade H. Lovorn III
replaced Chief Warrant 5 Michael Anderson as the Chairman of the Senior Warrant
Officer Advisory Council (SOAK), Senior Warrant Officer Advisor to the
Commanding General and Combined Arms Command, Center for Army Leadership as
a Leader Development Officer. CW5 Anderson is being reassigned to U. S.
Pacific Command Headquarters.
See CW5 Lovorn's
biography.
On April 23, 2010,
Over two dozen newly appointed warrant
officers graduated the Special Forces Warrant Officer Tactical and
Technical Certification Course during a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy
Auditorium on Fort Bragg. This class of warrant officers graduating from the certification course
will be the last to do so under the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare
Center & School's temporary appointment authority. After three years of
trial periods managing its own warrant officer training program, the
Center and School has been authorized the ability to permanently appoint
its warrant officers, making it the only organization in the Army to
receive this authority aside from the Warrant Officer Candidate School
at Fort Rucker, Ala. The class graduating May 18 will be the first to
do so under permanent appointment authority.
(see
News Release)
On April, 24, 2010, the Board of Directors of the U. S. Army
Warrant Officers Association joined in issuing a Joint Resolution
together with the Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation
On April 26, 2010, H.R. 5136, National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2011, was introduced in the
U.S. House of Representatives. Section 507 of the bill would
amend Section 571(b) of Title 10, United States Code to provide that
appointments in the grade of regular warrant officer, W-1, be made
by the regulation issued by the Secretary of the Military Department
and that these appointments shall be made by the President except
that appointments in that grade in the Coast Guard shall be made by
the Secretary concerned. Section 507 further amends Title 10 so
that appointments in permanent reserve warrant officer grades shall
be in the same manner as prescribed for regular warrant officers
grades. The prognosis for retention of these changes in the
final NDAA is good because there is no cost involved. (See
Extract of H.R.
3156)
In May 2010,
the Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear School (CBRN) at Fort
Leonard Wood, MO started new Warrant Officer program.
From June 7 to 11, 2010, the first Warrant Officer Summit was held at the U. S. Army Warrant Officer Career College (WOCC), Fort Rucker, Alabama. Invitations were limited to the most senior leaders of the Warrant Officer Corps. The purpose of the Summit was to aggressively seek issues that will promote improvement of the Warrant Officer Corps. The theme for this event was “Learn from the past, focus on the future.” U. S. Army Warrant Officers Association National President CW5 Gary Nisker reported on the highlights of the summit in the Association's July NEWSLINER - see article.
Also in June 2010, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Bernard L. Satterfield was appointed as the 7th Regimental Chief Warrant Officer of the Ordnance Corps. He succeeds Chief Warrant Officer 5 Arthur G. Dahl, IV who had served as the Regimental Chief Warrant Officer since September 2008. (See biography of CW5 Satterfield)
On August 11, 2010, the Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office announced that the remains of two U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been identified and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors. Army 1st Lt. Paul G. Magers of Sidney, NE, will be buried on August 27th in Laurel, MT, and Army Chief Warrant Officer Donald L. Wann of Shawnee, OK, will be buried on Aug. 21 in Fort Gibson, OK. On June 1, 1971, both men were flying aboard an AH-1 Cobra gunship in support of an emergency extraction of an Army ranger team in Quang Tri Province, South Vietnam. After the rangers were extracted, helicopters were ordered to destroy claymore mines which had been left behind in the landing zone. During this mission their helicopter was hit by ground fire, crashed and exploded. Pilots who witnessed the explosions concluded that no one could have survived the crash and explosions. Enemy activity in the area precluded a ground search at that time.
Pictured: Chief Warrant Officer 4 Spencer Douglas (far left), communications and electronics chief, 498th Support Maintenance Company, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) (ESC), a Raleigh, N.C., native; Chief Warrant Officer 4 Starla A. Brown (middle), human resources technician with the 18th Adjutant General Company, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd ESC, and a St. Maries, Idaho native; and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Darlene A. Pittman (bottom), executive officer for G1 Plans with the 103rd ESC, and a Des Moines, Iowa, native, help beautify the USO building by painting the outside walls. (Story and photos by Sgt. Jessica Rohr, Expeditionary Times Staff)
On October 6, 2010, Brig. Gen. Sean G. MacFarland, Deputy Commanding General, Combined Arms Center for Leader development and Education officiated at the Army Aviation Museum, Fort Rucker, AL as Colonel Mark T. Jones the outgoing Commandant relinquished Command of the Warrant Officers Career College to Colonel Stanley O. Smith the incoming Commandant. (see biography and picture of COL Smith)
On October 12, 2010, four bridges along State Route 840 were dedicated to four Tennessee National Guardsmen who died in 2010 while in service. The ceremonies made a total of 22 bridges along the Tennessee National Guard Parkway that are dedicated to soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard. Two of the guardsmen were killed in a helicopter accident in Iraq Feb. 21. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Billie Jean Grinder of Gallatin and Capt. Marcus Ray Alford of Knoxville were killed when the helicopter they were in made a "hard landing" at a base. Two others died at Camp Shelby, Miss., as they were preparing for a deployment to Iraq. Staff Sgt. Michael Wayne Tinsley Sr., from Jackson, died on Feb. 10 and Sgt. David Clay Prescott Jr., from Murfreesboro, died Feb. 4.
On November 3, 2010, Chief Warrant Officer Four Princido Texidor, the U.S. Army Forces Command Food Service advisor, was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five. The promotion made Texidor the first Hispanic to achieve the rank of CW5 in the Army's Food Service branch. "It is very satisfying to receive this honor," he said, adding proudly, "Food Service is one of the most important jobs in the Army, and I look forward to continuing to make sure things get done right so Soldiers can do what they need to do."
On November 15th, 2010, the U. S. Army Special Forces Command held a Change of Responsibility Ceremony for the Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) position. The outgoing CCWO, CW5 Bruce Watts, will start his new job at Task Force SWORD at Fort Bragg, NC. The incoming CCWO, CW5 Doug Frank, leaves his position as CCWO of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
2011
On January 10, 2011, President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 into law. Included is a change to the law authorizing the commissioning of Warrant Officers (W-1). This change now means that that all Army Warrant Officers and Chief Warrant Officers serve in commissioned status. Warrant Officers (W-1) were formerly appointed by the individual Service Secretary. See an extract of the amendments to the law. Implementation of the amendments to Title 10 of the United States Code await regulatory guidance from the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army.
On February 13, 2011, Chief Warrant Officer Luis Molinar, a Prescott, Arizona Vietnam Veteran, received a Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and a Purple Heart at a ceremony in Scottsdale, AZ. When the 101st Airborne Commander awarded the medals, CWO Molinar was in a hospital stateside. After 41 years, Molinar’s awards ceremony took place with retired General Gordon Sullivan, former US Army Chief of Staff, presenting the awards. (AP Photo/Matt Hinshaw, The Daily Courier)
On February 17, 2011, CW5 Scott Hagar passed his responsibilities as Chief Warrant Officer of the Adjutant General Corps to CW5 Coral Jones.
On March 1, 2011, the Army announced the winners for calendar year 2010 . These 28 officers epitomize the ideals for which General Douglas MacArthur stood: Duty, Honor, Country. Warrant Officers selected were CW2 Lanorris G. Ford, Active Army; WO1 David S. Turpin, Army National Guard; and CW2 Dyland E. Raymond, Army Reserve. An Awards Ceremony and related events and will take place in Washington, DC, during the period May 18 and 19, 2011.
Some of the 12 graduates -- all Warrant Officers (WO1) -- include from left, Christopher Werth, Ryan Torres, John Pesta, Joshua Nunley and Carlton Neal. (Photo by Skip Vaughn)See Redstone Rocket newspaper article.
Pictured from the left, Italian Brig. Gen. Giacomo Bellacicco, Regional Command (West) commander, Task Force Comanche commander Lt. Col. Ronald Lukow, Capt. Paul McKnight, CW2 Timothy Pool, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade commander Col. Daniel Williams, 4th CAB Command Chief Warrant Officer, CW5 Lance McElhiney, CW3 Uriah Hayes, CW3 Donald Procter and 4th CAB Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Rose at the March 22 event at Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan, where five 4th CAB soldiers received the Distinguished Flying Cross .
On March 25, 2011, a Warrant Officer Professional Development Day was held at the Al FAW Palace, Victory Base Complex (VBC), Iraq. The seminar was attend by over 80 Warrant Officers from across Iraq (pictured at left). The guest speaker was CW5 Harry Pershad (pictured right).
On April 6, 2011, a change of responsibility ceremony took place in the Pentagon Hall of Heroes where CW5 Ronald Galloway assumed the position of Assistant Executive Officer and Warrant Officer Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Army from CW5 Carl Jenkins.
On April 8, 2011, CW5 Thomas J. Wilson assumed responsibilities as Transportation Corps Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch (CWOB). See biography.
On June 10, 2011, CW5 (Ret) Charles T. Wigglesworth (left) and CW5 (Ret) Gerald I. Sims, Sr. (right) and were inducted as Distinguished Members of the Adjutant General's Corps Regiment. The ceremony was held in Columbia, South Carolina.
On May 27, 2011, the 93rd Birthday of the Warrant Officer Corps was celebrated at the Al Faw Palace located on the Victory Base Complex. The guest speaker was General Lloyd J. Austin III, USF-I Commanding General. His speech focused on the contribution of Forces in Iraq and the technical and tactical support that the Warrant Officer Corps has provided to the OIF and OND missions in Iraq. There was a cake cutting ceremony, music by a jazz ensemble, and recognition of the Warrant Officers with the number of the most deployed months and the number with the most deployments. The event was held prior to the July 9th Corps Birthday due to the reposture of Forces in Iraq. Story submitted by CW5 Sonji C. Moss-Clyburn USF-I J4 S&S Asset Visibility Chief.
On June 10, 2011 - CW5 (Ret) Charles T. Wigglesworth, left, and CW5 (Ret) Gerald I. Sims, Sr., right, were inducted as Distinguished Members of the Adjutant General's Corps Regiment. The ceremony was held in Columbia, South Carolina.
Pictured right CW5 (Ret) Meeks was then inducted into the USAWOA Honorable Order of the Eagle Rising by USAWOA President Emeritus CW4 (Ret) Donald 'Don' Hess. The Citation was read by CW5 Candis 'Candy' Martin.Both ceremonies took place at the Combined Arms Support Command, Fort Lee, Virginia.
Immediately following the graduation, the 93rd Warrant Officer Anniversary Commemoration was celebrated with a cake cutting ceremony in the lobby. The cake cutting honors were performed by the most junior Signal Warrant Officer within the Signal Corp, WO1 Angela Ellis and the most senior Signal Warrant Officer, CW5 Todd Boudreau. There have been many significant events within the Warrant Officer Corp, from the creation of the Warrant Officer Corps in 1918, to the approval of the Warrant Officer Insignia in 1921, the retiring of the coveted “Eagle Rising” in 2004, to the creation of the prestigious Information Protection Technician in 2010. As the requirements for technical experts continue to grow, so shall the force and resolve of the Warrant Officer Cohort. Pictured CW5 Boudreau and WO1 Ellis cut the cake at the 93rd Warrant Officer Anniversary Commemoration. Story by CW4 Michael Gaskin and picture courtesy THe Signal published for the Fort Gordon Community.
Pictured : First Row - CW5 Robert Lamphear (EN) CW5 Wade Lovorn (QM) CW5 Todd Boudreau (SC) GEN Martin E. Dempsey (CSA) CW5 Joe Okabayashi (MI) CW5 Michael Reese (AV) CW5 David Williams (HQDA G-3); Second Row - CW5 Herman Burton (AD) CW5 Bernard Satterfiefd (OD) CW5 Coral Jones (AG) CW5 Michael Wichterman (SCOE) CW5 David Albaugh (MP). Attending but not pictured were CW5 Thomas Wilson (TC) and CW5 Bobby Whigham (FA), both of whom were not available at the time.
On July 20, 2011, in Alexandria, Va. — Vice Admiral Norb Ryan, Jr., President of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) presented the Honorable Order of the Eagle Rising Society 2010 Induction awards to CW5 Albert S. Eggerton of Springfield, Va., and CW5 David P. Welsh of Chincoteague Island, Va., at a luncheon hosted by the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College. Pictured from left, MOAA Executive Administrative Assistant Michele Au Buchon; MOAA President VAdm Norb R. Ryan Jr.; inductee CW5 Albert S. Eggerton; inductee CW5 David P. Welsh; USAWOCC Deputy Commandant CW5 Mike Funk; and Cerie R. Kimball, Mt. Vernon Chapter member.
On November 1, 2011, President Obama used the Antiquities Act of 1906 to declare Fort Monroe a National Monument. This is a key step in Fort Monroe becoming a National Park. It tells the story of America’s painful journey with slavery and it is of historical value as the birthplace of the Warrant Officer Corps in the Army Mine Planter Service of the Coast Artillery. The push continues in Congress for its designation as a national park.
2012
On February 15, 2012, the Training and Doctrine Command issued a tasking to the Combined Arms Command to convene a "Warrant Officer Continuum of Learning Study" to validate the specified professional knowledge, skills and behaviors the Army requires of its warrant officers at each grade and determine whether current, successive levels of Professional Military Education produce those desired outcomes. See the TRADOC Tasking and a Warrant Officer Study Information Paper.
The March 2012 edition of the Army Historical Foundation CALL TO DUTY newsletter announced the National Museum of the U. S. Army VETERANS' HALL SPONSORSHIP and asks veterans' groups to "Follow the lead.." Of the six groups already demonstrating "Support in action!" The Warrant Officers Heritage Foundation is a SILVER STAR Member having issued a grant in the sum of $5,000 on November 3, 2009 - see more.
On June 29, 2012. CW5 Robert D. Witzler assumed responsibility as the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the U. S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command from CW5 David F. Cooper who then retired after 28 years of service. CW5 Cooper is a Distinguished Service Cross recipient and member of the Army Aviation Association of America's Hall of Fame. At the time of his retirement, he is the only currently serving Army Aviator to receive the DSC.
In July 2012, the monthly edition of ARMY, the magazine of the Association of the U. S. Army, published two feature articles in commemoration of the 94th birthday of the Warrant Officer Corps. (See "The U. S. Army Warrant Officer Corps - Still a Work in Progress" and "Aviation Warrant Officers On the Leading Edge.")
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