Ohio National Guard News

A monumental achievement for
Ohio Army National Guard Warrant Officer Cohort

Story and photos by Bill Pierce, Ohio National Guard Public Affairs

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 D.K. Taylor (left), assists in the unveiling of the Ohio Army National Guard Warrant Officer Cohort monument July 9, 2018, at the 147th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) in Columbus, Ohio. More than 100 current and retired warrant officers, special guests and senior OHARNG leadership attended the ceremony, which coincided with the anniversary of the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Cohort’s 100th birthday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (07/09/18) — The U.S. Army Warrant Officer program is 100 years old this year. To celebrate, the Ohio Army National Guard Warrant Officer Cohort commissioned a custom-made monument at the 147th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), located at Defense Supply Center Columbus, where the Warrant Officer Candidate School is conducted.

The monument was unveiled July 9 during a ceremony attended by past and present warrant officers and senior leaders of the Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG). Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lee Scott, who was in charge of the ceremony, said he received over 75 RSVPs to attend.

“The response and attendance we received was well beyond expectation,” Scott said. “So many attended, that there was standing room only at the ceremony.”

The monument is over 3,000 pounds of black granite. It is 5 feet tall, nearly 6 feet wide and 8 inches thick, and carved in the shape of the state of Ohio. On the front is a dedication to the warrant officers of Ohio, the different warrant officer rank insignias and a bronzed rising eagle, which is the symbol of the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Cohort. On the reverse side are all the specialty branches of Ohio warrant officers and the definition of the U.S. Army warrant officer.

Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr., Ohio assistant adjutant general for Army, shared personal memories with the audience from his history of working alongside warrant officers. As one example, Harris reflected on witnessing the strong character of a warrant officer who put his career on the line by insisting his passing grade for his physical training test be changed to a failure because he was two seconds too slow during the running portion of the test.

“We refer to warrant officers as quiet professionals because they indeed represent the essence of our profession,” Harris said. “Throughout my career, I have been inspired by the level of character and commitment demonstrated by the warrant officer community. Most of all, the corps is built on a foundation of competence — it is, without doubt, the source from which our trust in this respected team emanates.”

Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 D.K. Taylor, a former OHARNG state command chief warrant officer, was the guest speaker at the ceremony. He said the monument will serve as an everlasting reminder of the Ohio warrant officers’ contributions and commitment to the OHARNG, the state of Ohio and the nation.

“It was an honor and a privilege to be selected as the keynote speaker to recognize the history and contributions of all Ohio Army National Guard warrant officers,” Taylor said. “After 40 years of service, it's still inspiring being surrounded by such a fine group of technical experts and exciting to participate in a ceremony recognizing their century of service.”

Warrant officers make up the technical foundation of the U.S. Army. Areas of specialties include military police, aviation and intelligence. While Warrants make up less than 3 percent of the total Army strength, their responsibilities are important to the Army as a whole. Training Soldiers and advancing themselves within their career specialties are just two of their responsibilities. They are so depended upon that commanders use them as critical advisors in conducting organizational training.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jay Stuckman, current OHARNG state command chief warrant officer, said the Warrant Officer Strength Management (WOSM) Team is doing an outstanding job with warrant officer recruiting, and have already exceeded their required yearly recruiting mission with 16 warrant officer appointments.

“Our Ohio Army National Guard WOSM Team is tasked with recruiting highly qualified in-service applicants,” Stuckman said. “Potential applicants must demonstrate character, competence and commitment to serve as joint and combined arms capable warrant officers; maintaining the Army's capability overmatch required to “win in a complex world.”

Those interested in becoming a warrant officer or who have a strong potential lead may contact Warrant Officer Deena Ratliff, state warrant officer strength manager, at deena.l.ratliff.mil@mail.mil or 614-376-5054.