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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
By Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Chief Warrant Officer James Taylor (center) is named Kentucky’s Warrant Officer of the Year by Brig. Gen. Stephen Hogan (left) and State Command Chief Warrant Officer Dean Stoops (right) during a ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 17, 2016. Taylor serves as the property book officer for the 201st Engineer Battalion and the 103rd Chemical Battalion.(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Annually the Kentucky Guard selects the most outstanding warrant officer. For the second year in a row, that Soldier came from the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. Chief Warrant Officer James Taylor, with the 201st Engineer Battalion earned the title for 2015.
“It is a humbling experience to be accepting this award. Nothing in my experience has prepared me for an honor like this - especially to be recognized for doing something that I so love to do,” said Taylor. “When one works in a field where every warrant officer regularly extend themselves above and beyond their duties, it is difficult to consider anything that one does as outstanding. I am blessed to have the opportunity to work with such a professional cohort of warrant officers that we have here in Kentucky. I share this award with them.”
Chief Warrant Officer James Taylor discusses inventory with Staff Sgt. Danny Ison with the 201st Engineer Battalion in Richmond, Ky. Dec. 29, 2015. Taylor has served in uniform for 27 years and is known as a constant mentor and teacher, sharing his knowledge of supply with officers and enlisted Soldiers. (Courtesy photo)
Taylor serves as the property book officer for the 201st as well as for the 103rd Chemical Battalion, overseeing the inventory of nine companies and three detachments. In true warrant officer fashion, through his knowledge and work ethic, Taylor has earned the respect of many across the Kentucky Guard.
“Chief Taylor’s leadership and expertise delivers incredible results to the logistical readiness of the 201st Engineer Battalion,” said Lt. Col. Douglas Clay, commander of the 201st. “He is a proven leader and sets an excellent example through his consistent and steady performance.”
Enlisting in 1989, Taylor began his career as a combat engineer. In 2003, he switched fields into unit supply and by 2009 was the unit property book NCO. It was in 2009 that Taylor decided to become a warrant officer.
“I made the decision to become a warrant officer to expand my audience,” he said. “I wanted to share my knowledge with commanders and staff officers while continuing to lead enlisted personnel.”
And lead he does. Taylor is credited with with providing a smooth transition for force structure re-alignments with the brigade and becoming a subject matter expert on the Global Combat Support System, the Army’s newest supply standards. He singlehandedly directs and coordinates the management and control of unit equipment worth more than $150 million.
Chief Warrant Officer Buddy Barcus (right) presents the Kentucky Warrant Officer of the Year trophy to Chief Warrant Officer James Taylor in Frankfort, Ky., Feb. 17, 2015. Taylor followed Barcus as the top warrant officer in Kentucky, both from the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
“We all have success and failures,” he said. “In relation to my own experience I regularly refer to the book of Philippians 4:13 ‘I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me,’ to overcome those tough assignments. I have found that over my 27 years of service the best way to influence other Soldiers to do their best is to know the standard, lead by example, and never give up. Always take the hard right over the easy wrong. The standards that we set as leaders will be the one that they use while making critical decisions.”
Taylor’s dedication extends beyond the uniform. A devout Christian, Taylor is an active member of two local churches where he has ministered for the past six years. He regularly coordinates and participates in food drives and various community service activities.
“Chief Taylor desire to serve others is continually inspiring,” said Command Chief Warrant Officer Dean Stoops. “He is always willing to travel and assist other Soldiers overwhelmed with tasks at hand. He is also adamant about inspiring others to go the extra mile.”
“He is the embodiment of the quiet professional,” said Stoops.
Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs with contributions from Kyle Hilbrecht
Former Kentucky Warrant Officer of the Year are recognized during the 97th anniversary of the Warrant Officer Corps ceremony in Frankfort, Ky., July 9, 2015. Each winner since 2007 was presented with the commendation which became an official award in 2014. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky National Guard gathered to celebrate the 97th anniversary of the Warrant Officer Cohort at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, July 9. State Command Chief Warrant Officer Dean Stoops was joined by Brig. Gen. Charles Jones, Deputy Adjutant General and hundreds of warrant officers and Soldiers to recognize nearly 100 years of the “quiet professional.” “The modern U.S. Warrant officer Cohort is nearly a century old, and I’m sure the original forty warrant officers of the 1918 Mine Planter Service had no idea the significance their appointment would have on the United States Army,” said Stoops. “We now see a highly professional cohort that is indispensable to the United States Army and the Kentucky National Guard.”
State Command Chief Warrant Officer Dean Stoops promotes Ricky Skelton to the rank of chief warrant officer four during the 97th anniversary celebration of the Warrant Officer Corps in Frankfort, Ky., July 9, 2015. In addition to celebrating 97 years, several warrant officers were honored for their achievements and service to the Kentucky Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
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Stoops commended Kentucky’s warrant officers for their recent gains in National Guard categories of education and readiness. There are less than 175 warrant officers in the Kentucky Guard, while nearly 30,000 warrant officers serve worldwide in the Army components.
Known as technical experts in their fields, warrant officers are also referred to as the “quiet professional” for their behind the scenes stance in numerous occupational specialities.
In addition to the celebration of 97 years, Kentucky Guard leadership also recognized the previous eight Warrant Officers of the Year, ensuring each received the commendation which became official just last year. Stoops said the award is the only award among the three Army components dedicated to the recognition of warrant officers for their outstanding service and achievements.
“The creation of this official state award is the culmination of a seven year effort to create an award that was equal to the Outstanding Airman and Soldier of the Year Award,” said Stoops. “I am very pleased and proud that we could go back and present it to all of the previous seven recipients. It just seemed to be the right thing to do.”
Stoops said he has already been contacted by other states looking to adopt the award and he fully expects it to take off and potentially become a national standard.
Retired Chief Warrant Officer Larry Moore receives the 2008 Kentucky Warrant Officer of the Year commendation during a birthday celebration of the warrant officer corps in Frankfort, Ky., July 9, 2015. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Following that award presentation, Chief Warrant Officer Ricky Skelton was promoted to the rank of chief warrant officer four and Warrant Officer Jonathan Dukes was promoted to chief warrant officer two.
Chief Warrant Officer Jacob Lewis was also recognized for being named the 2014 Most Outstanding Engineer Warrant Officer in the National Guard. He was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal for his accomplishment.
Jones said the warrant officer used be an untapped resource for the Army and National Guard, but that has changed thanks to education, leadership and support from senior warrant officers. He called them an integral part of the Guard’s daily operations.
“The Army takes the cream of the NCO Corps off the top, makes it warrant officers and gives it special, graduate level training,” said Jones. “Warrant officers are an incredible resource of commanders and soldiers alike. They are world renowned for being the Army’s technical and tactical experts and are valuable leaders as well.”
