Missouri and Oklahoma Guardsmen become Warrant Officers

Courtesy: Missouri National Guard Public Affairs

FORT McClellan, Ala. – Six Missouri and Oklahoma National Guardsmen from the 140th Regiment – Missouri Regional Training Institute, Ft. Leonard Wood were among those graduating from Reserve Component Warrant Officer Candidate School during ceremonies hosted Saturday, April 21st at Ft. McClellan, Alabama.

Four Candidates were pinned as Warrant Officer One’s and accepted their Warrant Officer appointment, while two Candidates remain Certificate Of Eligibility (COE) holders – classified as such because they are full time unit support Service members who have five years to transition into a fulltime Warrant Officer position before their COE expires.

The graduates include WO1 Lena J. Conway (Commandant List – Oklahoma National Guard), WO1 Nicole R. Reynolds (Commandant List – Missouri National Guard), SSG Jonathan R. Fowler (Commandant List, Certificate Holder – Missouri National Guard), SFC Benjamin L. Gubitz (Certificate Holder – Oklahoma National Guard), WO1 Gary L. Lewis (Missouri National Guard), and WO1 Craig E. Wadlow (Missouri National Guard).

Warrant officers—commissioned officers with highly specialized knowledge — are technical experts in a particular area of expertise, including personnel, intelligence, aviation, logistics and electronics.

During warrant officer school, candidates trained in a rigorous, high-stress setting designed to challenge them on all levels.

Soldiers went through three phases of training on their path to becoming warrant officers. The first phase was 80 hours of online learning. The second phase consisted of training over five drill weekends at the 140th Regiment Missouri Regional Training Institute Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Leonard Wood. The third phase culminated with 15 days at Fort McClellan, which is meant to combine all the training and test candidate’s skills.

To complete all the training, Soldiers had to perform physically and mentally. In the second phase, candidates had to complete a 2 mile, 4 mile and a 10 kilometer foot march, with a weapon and 48 pound pack.

In the classroom, candidates take three exams and taught several subjects, including military history, Army operations, officer personnel, officer customs, courtesies and traditions, risk management, troop leading procedures, mission command and combat orders.

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Want to become a Warrant Officer?

http://www.nationalguard.com/careers/become-a-warrant-officer

http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/Wogeninfo_mos.shtml

Contact CW4 Rodney Hughes, MOARNG Warrant Officer Strength Manager

(573) 659-1600 Ext. 31630, rodney.a.hughes8.mil@mail.mil