Photo By Dani Johnson |
From left: Outgoing 13th Chief Warrant Officer of the Ordnance Corps, Chief Warrant......read moreread more
Photo By Dani Johnson | From left: Outgoing 13th Chief Warrant Officer of the Ordnance Corps, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kent Shepherd; U.S. Army Ordnance School Commandant and 46th Chief of Ordnance, Col. Charles Montgomery; and incoming 14th CWO of the Ordnance Corps, CW5 Antwoine Anderson, walk into the Ordnance Change of Charter Ceremony Sept. 9 at the Ordnance Training Support Facility on Fort Lee, Va. (U.S. Army photo by Dani Johnson) see less
| View Image Page
FORT LEE, Va. – The U.S. Army Ordnance School and the Ordnance Corps changed out senior chief warrant officers in a change of charter ceremony Sept. 9 at the Ordnance Training Support Facility.
The U.S. Army Ordnance School Commandant and 46th Chief of Ordnance, Col. Charles Montgomery officiated as Chief Warrant Officer 5 Kent Shepherd, outgoing 13th CWO of the Ordnance Corps, passed the charter to CW5 Antwoine Anderson, incoming 14th CWO of the Ordnance Corps.
“For the past two years, CW5 Shepherd, has been our lightning; lightning strikes and illuminates the path ahead when the way is dark,” said Montgomery. “As our 13th Chief Warrant Officer, he provided that brilliant flash of innovation.
“He pioneered the Ordnance Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center, bringing 3D printing to the forefront of our capabilities,” said the colonel. “His energy struck the earth as he relentlessly modernized Professional Military Education, right sizing our force by splitting the 915A (automotive maintenance warrant officer) MOS (military occupational specialty), and rewrote the DA PAM (Department of Army pamphlet) to illuminate a clear path for over 3,600 Ordnance warrant officers.”
The ceremony recognized the achievements of both warrant officers while underscoring the importance of the command chief warrant officer’s role as a senior technical advisor and key leader within the command.
“Reflecting back on these past two years, I am absolutely amazed at what this team accomplished,” said Shepherd. “Although I sat near the head of the table, the reality is I played just one small part of a much larger effort.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as your 13th Chief Warrant Officer of the Ordnance Corps,” he added. “I will cherish this opportunity to serve Ordnance Soldiers for the rest of my life.”
Shepherd is heading to U.S. Army Pacific at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, where he will be G-4 Senior Ordnance warrant officer.
The role of the senior Chief Warrant Officer is to oversee the Ordnance Warrant Officers to ensure they are the Army's premiere maintenance and logistics system expert, leader, trainer, mentor, and advisor. They administer, manage, maintain, operate, and integrate Army maintenance and logistical systems and equipment across the full range of Army operations.
“Thunder is something you feel in your chest long before the storm arrives,” said Montgomery. “Over his remarkable 30-year career, we have heard the thunderous echoes of Chief Anderson’s leadership.
“He is a master logistician who built his expertise from the dirt of the motor pool as a Bradley Systems maintainer, all the way to the Corps level,” said the Chief of Ordnance. “He brings the deep, rumbling power of tactical, operational, and strategic maintenance to this command.”
Anderson joins U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command from U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, where he worked at the Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) for Ground Combat Systems.
“I’m excited to join Team Ordnance, I’m ready to hit the ground running,” said Anderson. “Col Montgomery, your intent is clear – we must win and I’m up for the challenge; your chief warrant officer is postured and ready to attack.”
