Photo By Sgt. Carlene Vera | Chief Warrant Officer 5 Karen Grays departs after her retirement ceremony at the...... read more read more
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Chief Warrant Officer 5 Karen Grays retired during a ceremony at the Capitol Building, in Old San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico on Sept. 25, 2015, culminating a distinguished 38-year-long military career.
Grays joined the Army in 1977 as an enlisted Soldier and later transitioned to Warrant Officer, specializing as a Property Book Officer (PBO) on June 14, 1991.
“I initially joined the Army because I wanted to get an education,” said Grays. “I became motivated to become a chief because I love the Army and I just wanted to do something special.”
Grays talked about how her mother didn’t want her to join the military when she was younger. It was her father who actually signed the papers. “She got used to it after a while and she would go with me when I (transferred duty locations),” said Grays of her mother who passed away a few years ago. “She would take the train and then we would drive across the country and she got to really enjoy it and reap a lot of benefits and I really miss her.”
Grays’ career has taken her to over 15 different locations and, as a result, she was able to retire after being the Command Property Accounting Technician (PAT) and the Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) for the 1st Mission Support Command (MSC) at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. She became only the second female African-American Chief Warrant Officer 5 in the U.S. Army Reserve when she was promoted in 2012.
As a PBO and PAT it was her job to make sure all property was accounted for. Reaching the rank of CW5 is something very meaningful for Grays. “It’s a lot of hard work and if you really want something, you will work hard to get it and you will not let anything stop you in getting your way, but you have to make sure you get it the correct way, the legal way, and the right way,” continued Grays.
To Grays, retiring means ending her career at the top of her game and she explained there is no reason why anyone else can’t do the same.
“I’ve enjoyed my career and it is something that everyone needs to enjoy,” said Grays. “You have to be accountable for what you do, you have to like what you do and you have to enjoy what you do. And if you don’t have all those motivating factors for yourself, then don’t join the military.”
To those who wish to join the Warrant Officer ranks, she says, “make sure you are dedicated to what you do and you really have to like what you do. If you don’t enjoy what you do, then don’t do it.”
After retirement, Grays plans on relocating to “Fort Livingroom” for a while and then begin traveling while she figures out what she wants to do long-term. “I am a nurse, I have my real estate license, I’m finishing up my Lima 6 sigma course so I can work for some companies and will have my master’s certificate in about 8 weeks,” said Grays. “I can do anything I need to do and I will be successful at it.”
Grays offered parting words of wisdom as she enters into retirement.
“If you really want something, you have to work for it and you have to go and get it because it is not going to come to you.”
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2015 11:56 |
| Story ID: | 177206 |
| Location: | PR |
| Hometown: | SAN JUAN, PR |
| Hometown: | BROOKLYN, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 2,422 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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