CAMP HENRY, South Korea – It is challenging enough to become a noncommissioned officer, let alone a chief warrant officer, and a field grade officer. However, for Lt. Col. Anthony G. Glaude, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command G-6 assistant chief of staff, he accomplished all that and more.
If you look around, you can rarely see a soldier who chooses to go through three different rank structures to serve his country. Glaude, who enlisted in the Army as a telecommunications center operator, transitioned into a warrant officer and a commissioned officer in sequence.
“I have gone through all three rank structures, I believe it gives me the ability to relate and empathize with soldiers regardless if they are enlisted soldiers, warrant officers, or commissioned officers,” said Glaude. “I feel soldiers are comfortable around me and therefore more honest and open with me, which allows me to be a better leader.”
Before joining the U.S. Army, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1980 where he made the rank of lance corporal. He later decided to add a new dimension to his military career, and reenlisted in the Army in 1985, serving seven years up to the rank of sergeant.
“When I enlisted in the Marine Corps, my plan was not to make the military a career. I planned to use the military as a ‘stepping stone’ for a future job. But I liked the military and wanted to continue to serve, so I joined the U.S. Army in 1985 and the rest is history.” Glaude said.
Serving 12 years of military service as an enlisted soldier gave him a strong thirst for further expertise and development.
“I wanted to be an expert in my field of communications. Warrants become experts at their job because their knowledge, skills and abilities continue to grow year after year by basically performing the same kinds of jobs throughout a warrant’s career.” Glaude said.
“Glaude is a leader who leads from the front and set examples in all he does without hesitation. He is well organized, extremely competent, and has an excellent rapport with people,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Michael Loyd, 1st Theater Sustainment Command senior electronics maintenance technician. “He and I have been friends for many years since we met at the Warrant Officer Candidate School, and I am proud to have served with him.”
Being a chief warrant officer 2 after four years of service as a warrant officer made him look for another challenge. He decided to become a commissioned officer which led him to attend Officer Candidate School, a 14-week course at Fort Benning, Georgia.
“Serving as a warrant officer was great, but for me something was missing and that something was working with more soldiers on a more personal basis,” Glaude said. “As a warrant officer, I typically had a few soldiers, but as a commissioned officer, I worked with thousands of soldiers; this gave me and still gives me today a chance to make a positive impact or difference in someone’s life.”
“As an officer, he spent his time as a junior officer from platoon leader to company commander and understands what it takes to be a successful leader. His door is always open to provide that mentorship to anyone that comes into his office.” said Sgt. Maj. Richard A. Jones, 19th ESC G-6 sergeant major.
He currently works as the G-6 to ensure his section provides proper command, control, communications, computers and intelligence support to the 19th ESC. As an officer who climbed all the way up to the rank of lieutenant colonel with the experience of being an noncommissioned officer and a warrant officer, he has demonstrated his capability to lead soldiers and maximize the efficiency in the workplace with his expertise.
“His previous experiences are an asset to the G-6 team as well as the 19th ESC,” Jones said. “Being an NCO in the past, he understands what it means to be a first-line leader of soldiers and the importance of training them to standard. He respects the opinions of the NCOs and empowers them to do what needs to be done.”
“The technical aspect of being a warrant officer allows him to communicate and understand the world of a technician and provide them with the tools to be successful or where to get the right answers for the betterment of the G-6 when it comes to technical issues or the placement of our network technicians to offer the 19th ESC the best communication package that can be provided.” Jones added.
Even though all three areas demand soldiers to have different tasks to accomplish, he believes the basic values that they follow still remain unchanged.
“Dignity, honor, respect and trust are my watchwords along with the Army Values, and I try to demonstrate these watchwords with action no matter where I am,” Glaude said. “Many soldiers who have worked with me in the past have heard me use this simplistic description of what it takes to succeed in the Army, ‘be in the right place, on time and in the right uniform.’”
During his military service, he also had to face difficulties and hardships like many other military members undergo, especially when the responsibilities kept changing as he placed himself in new environments.
“The Army is a hard life in and of itself; the requirements, commitment and sacrifice can be daunting over time since you inherit more responsibility as you earn more rank,” Glaude said. “And for me, it is very difficult being away from my family like many military members will tell you; however, this is the life I chose and my family still supports my service.”
It was his wife, who herself is a retired signal warrant officer, that helped him overcome obstacles that he encountered and made him what he is. She keeps him straight and grounded, taking care of their family while he is gone so that he can concentrate on his job.
“I can always count on him to maintain a cool head and to be decisive, especially when it comes to what he believes is best for his family and the soldiers and civilians he is responsible for,” said his wife. “It has been difficult with him away, but I understand and support his determination and persistence to serve the country we all love.”
“My husband is the consummate soldier, and continues to live by and enforce the importance of the NCO, warrant officer, and officer creeds,” his wife said. “Over the last 33 years, Anthony has continued to devote his time and energy into leading, mentoring, and learning from other soldiers. He gains the respect of his peers and subordinates through his discipline and work ethic.”
Even with 33 years of military service, he believes he still has more to give for the rest of his career as long as he is still healthy enough to lead and motivate soldiers.
“I would like to be a battalion commander which would allow me to reach out to a large population of soldiers and civilians, and provide the best leadership I could possibly provide.” Glaude said.