143d Expeditionary Sustainment Command

Story by Staff Sgt. Marcos Alices

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – A historic event took place May 21 at Kandahar Airfield, as the warrant officer community established the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Association Kandahar Airfield Provisional Chapter, the first recognized chapter in a war zone.

The USAWOA is a nonprofit organization that provides social and professional opportunities for warrant officers. It is a community meant to address the specific issues and concerns of the Warrant Officer Corps.

"It [USAWOA] is a vehicle meant to support the warrant officer community," said Chief Warrant Officer 5 David N. Conrad, the Joint Sustainment Command-Afghanistan command chief warrant officer. "A good part of our efforts will be focused on warrant officer development."

As a community, the organization will help further the career of its members by providing programs and social activities concentrating on professional development. The KAF Provisional Chapter will look to create a mentorship program. The program is a chance for newly commissioned warrant officers to receive advice from their more experienced peers.

They will also hold events to improve it members, the chapter and the community. Already in the planning stages, the chapter will celebrate 91 years since Congress authorized the rank of warrant officer in the military July 26, 1918. This event is not only an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of the Warrant Officer Corps but will also serve as a forum. The celebration will be open to all warrant officers of all U.S. armed services in Afghanistan and others who are interested. It will be an opportunity for Soldiers to talk about the direction of the Corps with Chief Warrant officer 5 Arthur G. Dahl, the ordnance regimental chief warrant officer, Chief Warrant officer 5 James E. Thompson, the Army Reserve command chief warrant officer and other regimental warrant officers.

"We try to help guide [Soldiers] in their profession by being here to help them get through the process," said Conrad.

The USAWOA is open to all Army warrant officers regardless of component or status. The KAF Provisional Chapter doors welcomed more than twenty attendees to their first meeting. Soldiers from the ranks of sergeant to chief warrant officer five was present. The organization also opens their arms to enlisted Soldiers who are interested in joining the Warrant Officer Corps. They will be able to provide assistance to enlisted Soldiers. The chapter will offer mentorship, classes to improve their Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and review Soldiers paperwork.

"Stay up-to-date on your [military occupational skill]," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Benjamin A. Joyette, a JSC-A ammo technician and chapter president. "You are the expert in your field and people look to you for advice."

Warrant officers are technical experts. They are leaders who specialize, throughout an entire career, in a specific area. Though they comprise of less than three percent of the total Army, they are a valued assets, according to Conrad. They provide commanders and organizations valuable skills, guidance and expertise in their particular field. To apply for the position of warrant officer, a Soldier must have already attained the rank of sergeant, at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and meet certain requirements. Chief warrant officers are commissioned by the president and take the same oath as commissioned officers. The Warrant Officer Corps provides their expertise in 15 Army branches filling 67 MOS.

The KAF Provisional Chapter is a medium to continue to build, though deployed to Afghanistan, on a tradition of 91 years of technical expertise in the Army.

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