Posted on 07/28/2017 1:07:01 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The Warrant Officer Cohort consists of today’s Army’s technical experts and, in celebration of that expertise, the cohort commemorated nearly a century of service with the generally accepted thing worthy of any birthday celebration – cake.
The cohort turned 99 Sunday, and many Fort Rucker members celebrated with a cake cutting ceremony at the Warrant Officer Dining Facility July 6 to commemorate the ongoing service and leadership that warrant officers provide, said CW5 John D. Howze, U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College deputy commandant.
“Warrant officers have been a critical part of militaries around the world,” he said during the birthday celebration. “For 99 years, the talented professionals of the Warrant Officer Cohort have served with great distinction. You all know that we confront a very complex environment, and the challenge in our world today is quite evident.”
Although warrant officers in the U.S. Army can be traced as far back as 1896, the cohort wasn’t officially established until July 9, 1918, when Congress passed legislation to form the organization.
Retired CW5 James R. Rathburn, former WOCC director of academic instruction, was invited to speak during the celebration and said that the relevance of the cohort is dependent on each individual officer within the ranks, and the dedication of warrant officers young and old is something he has seen throughout his 40 years of service.
“We have survived nearly 100 years,” he said. “Are we going to be relevant in our future force for the next 100 years? That’s a question that all of you need to ponder.
“It’s on all of you to make our cohort relevant,” he continued. “You’ve got to get back to what makes you a unique office – you have to know your technical skills.”
Warrant officers are the U.S. Army’s technical experts, combat leaders, trainers and advisers, who administer, manage, maintain, operate and integrate Army systems and equipment across the full spectrum of Army operations, and it’s because of that level of expertise that Howze said warrant officers must learn to adapt.
“Our nation is going to require a warrant officer who is just as adaptable [as the complex environment it confronts], just as lethal and just as great,” he said. “We require a cohort that can go anywhere, that can fight in any corner of the globe – that is us. My challenge to you today is to uphold the legacy of the leadership of the Warrant Officer Cohort by always remaining relevant, reliable and ready.
Retired CW4 here. IIRC, the last USAF WO was appointed in 1969. May have had to do with debate over what is appropriate rank for pilots.
FWIW, about 45 percent of the Army’s WO’s are aviators.
Anyway, happy 99th birthday to the Army Warrant Officer Corps. Proud to have served. BTW, occasions like this & others are now celebrated with cake because toasting with champagne was found objectionable to some.
Need I specify who?
The 5 things that scared me most in my 27 years of service in the Army:
1. A Private who says “This is how we did it in Basic.”
2. A Sergeant says “Trust me on this Sir.”
3. A Lieutenant who says “Based on my experience...”
4. A Captain who says “Hey, I’ve got a great idea!”
5. A Warrant who says “Hey! Watch what happens when I do this!”
Happy anniversary Chiefs!
Did once but stopped in 1959. Half of the the WO slots were supposed to go to E-8 and E-9s but the lion’s share went to 1st and Second Lts.
Put booze in the cake.
CC
When I was in, almost all Huey rides were commanded by WOs.
5.56mm
That was back in the days when they had officers in squadrons who’s only job was to control things like plywood and Dexion.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.