Photo By Spc. Andrew Slovensky | Chief Warrant Officer Rodney Hammack (left) and Chief Warrant Officer Xlenske Sampson,...... read more read more
Subscribe
BASRA, Iraq - The deployed warrant officers of the 36th Infantry Division didn’t look a day over 92 on July 9, as they celebrated the 93rd birthday of the Army Warrant Officer Corps on Contingency Operating Base Basra.
The celebrations included a presentation to Maj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin, 36th Inf. Div. commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Wilson L. Early that covered the history, purpose and definition of the warrant officer corps, and was followed by a cake-cutting ceremony and a cookout that evening.
The birthday ceremony honors a long tradition begun in 1918 with the birth of the warrant officer corps.
Many definitions have been used for warrant officers, but one phrase stands out: technical experts.
Warrant officers, most of whom were non-commissioned officers first, are considered a step above their peers with expertise in their jobs.
Each branch has specific training requirements for its would-be warrant officers, said Chief Warrant Officer Robert Rodriguez, Counter Improvised Explosive Device officer-in-charge for the 36th Inf. Div.
“It’s what your branch needs for you to be considered an expert,” said Rodriguez. “It’s what sets you apart.”
The first warrant officers were those of the Army Mine Planter Service and were originally considered civilians. Now, warrant officers come from more than 73 military specialties in 17 branches and are considered subject matter experts in areas like aviation, human resources, communications and criminal investigation.
Today, all warrant officers are considered commissioned officers and are trained in the Warrant Officer Career College at Fort Rucker, Ala.
Chief Warrant Officer Katherine Brown, Personnel Accountability and Strength Reporting Chief for the 36th Inf. Div., said that warrant officers are given the opportunity to affect change and mentor non-commissioned officers.
Brown, who has 21 years of service in the Army, said that being a warrant officer offers camaraderie and a small community within the Army.
| Date Taken: | 07.09.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.14.2011 04:30 |
| Story ID: | 73700 |
| Location: | BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Another year older: 36th Infantry Division celebrates 93rd Warrant Officer birthday, by SPC Andrew Slovensky, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT