Idaho Army National Guard warrant officers earn senior state positions

BOISE, ID, UNITED STATES

12.14.2017

Story by 2nd Lt. Crystal Farris 

Idaho Army National Guard

Five Idaho Army National Guard warrant officers were recently selected to serve in senior positions within the organization. Among the selectees are Chief Warrant Officer 4s Barry Edmiston, Terry Gulick, Shane McKenna, Mitch McKinstry and Bruce Walden.

“Each of these warrant officers is a proven expert in his field and is a tremendous asset to his command and the Idaho Army National Guard,” said Brig. Gen. John Goodale, assistant adjutant general – Army.

All selectees will receive promotions from chief warrant officer four to chief warrant officer five and move into their new positions between May 2018 and 2019, with the exception of Gulick who moved into his position in October.

Chief warrant officer five is the highest warrant officer rank, typically taking at least 16 years to obtain. Promotions depend on factors such as experience, availability of schools and positions, projected retirement date and the federal recognition process.

All selectees hold fulltime jobs with the Idaho Army National Guard and will continue working fulltime as Active Guard Reserve Soldiers with the exception of McKinstry and Walden who will continue serving as federal technicians.

Edmiston will serve as the senior human resource officer for Joint Force Headquarters, where he will advise on all human resource matters and develop and track new human resource technicians. Additionally, he will maintain his current responsibilities as the personnel branch human resource officer. He has served as an Idaho Guardsman for approximately 33 years and was appointed a warrant officer in 2001. He previously served as the military personnel technician, strength accounting officer and senior human resource technician.

Gulick will serve as the state senior ground maintenance officer in charge of developing and tracking the careers of maintenance warrant officers, in addition to maintaining his current responsibilities as commandant of the 3-204th Regional Training Institute, Idaho Ordnance Training Battalion. Gulick served on active duty for approximately five years before becoming an Idaho Guardsman, where he has served for the past 28 years. He was appointed a warrant officer in 1996 and has since served in both ordnance and signal fields, in positions such as maintenance officer and information systems support branch manager.

McKenna will serve as the state rotary wing standardization officer, responsible for managing the training and certification of instructor pilots and pilots-in-training. He has served as an Idaho Guardsman for approximately 18 years and was appointed a warrant officer in 2003 after selection for flight school. He has flown both the AH-64 Apache and the UH-60 Blackhawk, as well as held positions as battalion master gunner and battalion tactical officer. He is currently serving as the standardization instructor pilot for the 183d Aviation Battalion (Attack).

McKinstry will serve as the state aviation safety officer, responsible for advising commanders on aviation safety compliance, coordinating and tracking training, and managing accident investigations. He has served as an Idaho Guardsman for approximately 33 years and was appointed a warrant officer in 1990 after selection for flight school. He has flown the AH-64 Apache, as well as held positions as battalion standardization instructor pilot, master gunner and battalion safety officer. He is currently serving as the Army Aviation Support Facility instructor pilot.

Walden will serve as the state quarter master branch chief, responsible for developing and tracking quartermaster warrant officers, property accounting officers, material management officers and food service officers. He has served as an Idaho Guardsman for approximately 34 years and was appointed a warrant officer in 1992. He has held positions as an ammunition accountable officer, supply management officer and property book officer. He is currently serving as the director of the central property book office.

There are 117 warrant officers in the Idaho Army National Guard, serving in positions from helicopter pilot to administrative technician. Warrant officers, who make up approximately four percent of the organization, are a unique asset capable of providing technical and tactical expertise in more than 40 different operational fields.

• Date Taken: 12.14.2017
• Date Posted: 12.14.2017 17:29
• Story ID: 258982
• Location: BOISE, ID, US