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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)
Click here for more photos.
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.”
Story by: Capt. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Chief of the Joint Staff Brig Gen. Ben Adams (left) and Command Chief Warrant Officer five Dean Stoops (right) present Chief Warrant Officer five Stuart Lindfors with the 2013 Warrant Officer of the Year in Frankfort, Ky., Mar. 4. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Stephen Martin)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Named after Chief Warrant Officer four retired Dewey Pope, the 2013 Kentucky National Guard Warrant Officer of the Year was presented to Chief Warrant Officer five Stuart “Swoop” Lindfors, of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, at Boone National Guard Center, in Frankfort, Ky., Mar. 4.
To see all photos from this event, please click HERE.
“I’m extremely proud and honored to have the opportunity to present this prestigious award,” said State Command Chief Warrant Officer Dean Stoops. “It truly recognizes the outstanding Warrant Officer in the Kentucky National Guard.”
Lindfors, affectionately known as “Swoop”, has been in the Kentucky Guard for more than 14 years. He earned his nickname in 2002 while on a maintenance test flight in El Salvador trying to test the Automatic Flight Control System and did a low pass of the airfield. Walking off the flight line afterwards, one of the master sergeants in the unit addressed him as ‘Swoop’ and the name stuck.
According to Stoops, Lindfors not only stands out as a warrant officer but an aviator as well.
Chief Warrant Officer five Stuart Lindfors pilots a UH-60 Blackhawk in Iraq in 2004. Lindfors is seen here holding his “good luck bear” given to him by his father. (photo submitted)
“Chief Lindfors is rare among aviators especially. Warrant Officer pilots not only have to be good at flying, but they also have to be proficient in one of four aviation “tracks”, either as an instructor pilot, a tactical operations officer, a maintenance test pilot or a safety officer,” said Stoops.”Occasionally you’ll find a warrant who tracks more than one, sometimes even three - but never all four. Swoop, over the course of his career, has become qualified and proficient in all four of these specialties. Because of this experience and know-how, he brings a wealth of experience to whatever position he’s in.”
Not only is Stuart an invaluable asset in this organization, but he volunteers a significant amount of his time helping with “hearts for heroes” and “military missions” projects as well as serving as one of the Den Leaders for the local Cub Scout Organization, of which is son, Spencer, is a Webelo.
“This is a great honor for my dad,” said Spencer. “I’m really proud of him and really glad I got to be here to be a part of it.”
The Soldier that the award was named after in 2007, retired Chief Warrant Officer four Dewey Pope, was also in attendance to honor Lindfors.
“Stu receiving this award is absolutely well-deserved as are all of the guys who have received it over the years,” said Pope. “I count this award as the biggest honor the Kentucky Guard has ever bestowed upon me and I’m happy to see Mr. Lindfors name added to the roster.”
Story by: Sgt. Dale Elliott, 75th Troop Command Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
NOTE: Each week kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by Kentucky National Guard unit public affairs historian representatives, also known as UPAHRs. This is an additional duty taken on by a Soldier or Airmen with the intent of telling their unit’s story. This is one such story ….
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Chief Warrant Officer Mark Josef Strunk of Danville, Ky. was selected as The Kentucky Army National Guard’s Warrant Officer of the year.
Strunk has served in uniform for 20 years, four of which were active duty. He deployed overseas once with the 2123rd Transportation Company in 2003. He now serves as an Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer in the Combined Support Maintenance Shop at the Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky.
Strunk as a young man felt a calling into patriotic service and to do something “a little different” says the Soldier. He is the son of a German immigrant and is the first in his family to serve in the United States Armed Forces.
“I really wanted to become the best I can be,” says Strunk. “Warrant Officers are required to be experts in our field. I wanted to do that and I wanted to be able to help others be the best they can be too.”
When Strunk is not working at CSMS, you can generally find him working on various home projects. “I built every home I have lived in,” he said. “ I constantly need a project going on around my house.”
“Chief Strunk has been a huge asset to the 2123rd,” said Capt, Daniel Cooper, 2123rd Transportation Commander. “We have a high caliber unit and it is vital that we have very knowledgeable and capable warrant officers that can keep us running. We just couldn’t do it without him.”
Strunk is described as a very “hands on” and technically knowledgeable member of the Kentucky Guard.
“Being selected as Warrant Officer of the year is a big deal,” said Chief Warrant Officer Four Marty Castle. “Chief Strunk has earned it.”
