Chief Warrant Officer-2 Thomas W. Walker pins on his present rank during his promotion ceremony Feb. 1.
Photo by: Sgt. Matthew O. Holly
Posted on 02/08/2006 4:38:09 PM PST by SandRat
MARINE CORPS RECRUITING STATION DENVER (Feb. 8, 2006) -- Making the transition from enlisted Marine to warrant officer is something that many Marines often dream of, but rarely act on.
However, Chief Warrant Officer Thomas W. Walker, formerly a gunnery sergeant, has long established himself as a leader. He now looks forward to his next steps as an officer of Marines.
“The Corps offers many bittersweet moments and this is one of them,” said Master Sgt. Al Matthews, assistant recruiter instructor for RS Denver. “I hate to see him go. He was an outstanding NCOIC and recruiter who, as a recruiter, was the recipient of the Centurion Award after contracting 108 applicants. That alone says a lot of his dedication as a Marine, but that doesn’t even scratch the service of his unblemished character.”
Matthews continued by saying how Walker, with his experience and knowledge, will be in a very influential position as a chief warrant officer on recruiting.
Walker, a Denver native, joined the Marines back in December 1989, when he attached to his first unit, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division as an assaultman shortly after graduating from Infantry Training Battalion. By 1996, he found himself on recruiting duty.
Walker, the former noncommissioned officer in charge of Recruiting Substations Grand Junction and RSS Fort Collins, Colo., and former operations chief, has spent seven and a half years on recruiting duty. He was drawn to recruiting to such an extent that he put in his career recruiter package and has been serving in that military occupational specialty ever since.
Why the change? The 35-year-old Walker, who was simultaneously selected for promotion to master sergeant and chief warrant officer, said his experiences as RS Denver’s operations chief was what motivated him to put in his chief warrant officer package.
“Working in operations and working with the recruiters on a day-to-day basis truly inspired me to become an operations officer,” said Walker. “Also, the influence of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert W. Laverty, assistant operations officer for the Training and Education Command, made a lasting impression on me, which pushed me towards the enlisted to warrant officer program. He’s a mentor.”
Walker attributes his success in life to all the leadership he has received in the Corps, from both seniors and subordinates. Additionally, he credits his faith and family for having a huge impact on his career.
Walker looks forward to making a significant impression at RS San Francisco, his first duty station after attending the Warrant Officer Basic Course at Quantico, Va.
Walker enjoys spending his spare time with his wife Christina and son Matthew.
He can't say "Don't call me sir, I work for a living" now.
Not to diminish this Marines accomplishments ... being elevated to WO from Gunny isn't bad ... actually very good. However, being assigned to San Francisco as a Marine recruiter would be a very tough assignment ... especially if you're the guy that has over all responsibly for recruitment in that area.
That is not a target rich environment ...
Welcome to the Brotherhood of the Broken Bar.
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