CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT - Servicemembers and civilians kicked-off celebrations for the 98th Warrant Officer Corps birthday during a Warrant Officer Heritage 5-kilometer run at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait July 9.

"It was important to put this event together to showcase what the Warrant Officer Corps is all about and reflect on our heritage," said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Harry Pershad, event coordinator.

Warrant officers bonded with service members throughout the day offering career advice and personal experience in their respective duties as well as what it means to them to be a member of the corps.

"It was great to have personal interaction with someone who had experience in the field I'm interested in," said Staff Sgt. Nathaniel Guzman, a military intelligence debriefer for U.S. Army Central.
Soldiers interested in becoming a warrant officer were encouraged to attend a career recruitment briefing that highlighted the opportunities, qualifications, and application process to become a warrant officer in the U.S. Army.

Following the briefing, attendees met for a birthday cake cutting ceremony and queried the warrant officers over lunch.

"It is important to get to know these Soldiers and develop relationships on a personal lever because it's what makes us such a unique and close community," said Pershad.

Several members of the warrant officer corps reviewed applications for Servicemembers who had completed packets, offering constructive critiques and guidance.

"I want to be a warrant officer because they are the subject matter experts in their field, their answers are golden, and I want to spend my career perfecting my field to achieve that standard," said Guzman.