FORT SILL, Okla. (April 12, 2018) -- In its 50th year, the Air Defense Artillery (ADA) branch welcomed its fifth chief warrant officer of the branch (CWOB) and school during a change of responsibility ceremony April 5, at Snow Hall.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 Eric Maule took over the responsibilities from outgoing Chief Warrant Officer 5 Christopher Wehmeier in front of hundreds of fellow Soldiers, retirees, families, and friends.
Brig. Gen. Randall McIntire, ADA School commandant and chief of ADA, thanked and noted the numerous accomplishments of Wehmeier, and he welcomed the Maules to the Lawton-Fort Sill community.
The role of the CWOB is to create and maintain a healthy warrant officer corps that expands the entire ADA branch, said McIntire. The CWOB advises him on the status of the branch, and recommends actions and ways to improve not only the warrant officer cohort, but also the ADA enlisted and officer branches.
"Once I know the warrant officer cohort is healthy, I'll know the rest of the branch is healthy," the general said.
McIntire described Wehmeier as a talented leader, tactical expert and stand up person, who spoke with candor and confidence during his two years as CWOB.
Wehmeier oversaw the split of the military occupational specialty (MOS) 140E Patriot Air and Missile Defense Tactician and Technician into two separate tracks: MOS 140K Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Systems Tactician; and MOS 14L AMD Systems Technician. The 140K is the killer in the van who pushes the button; and the 140L is the logistician maintainer, said McIntire, sharing how he distinguishes the two.
"The chief's wisdom and his recommendation was that we need to split this (140E) out," McIntire said. "He took this huge undertaking for the branch, and today we have a pilot course that's underway where we'll graduate over 20 warrant officers in respective MOS 140K and 140L later this year," McIntire said.
Also under Wehmeier's tenure, the MOS 140A Command and Control Systems Course was approved to increase to 23-plus weeks as a Warrant Officer Basic Course, plus a 12-week WO Advanced Course, McIntire said.
"The goal of these grand changes is to increase the depth and knowledge of the individual warrant officer," McIntire said. They will be experts, who are 1-inch wide and a mile deep, rather than the reverse.
The commandant continued that Wehmeier was integral to the ADA participation in America, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, or ABCA armies. The group works on interoperability of training and equipment among these armies.
"Both Chris and Eric will leave tomorrow for Australia where they will participate in this (ABCA) summit," he said.
Wehmeier's efforts crossed into the Army National Guard and its shortage of ADA warrant officers, McIntire said. He has worked with commands in numerous regions to increase recruitment of warrants.
"He's done a great job of trying to find different ways of doing that: thinking outside the box, getting folks from different services entering our branch," McIntire said.
Wehmeier was also a member of the Army Service Warrant Officer Council, which is the senior leadership body that introduces, reviews, and addresses all issues concerning the Warrant Officer Corps, McIntire noted.
McIntire thanked and congratulated Wehmeier on his retirement.
"I thank you for your service, and all your dedication to the branch and the Army," McIntire said. "We wish you and your lovely family all the best as you start a new chapter in your life."
During the ceremony, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jonathon Boon, ADA warrant officer proponent, handed the officer saber to Wehmeier as the final deference of his authority and leadership, said program narrator Mike Simmons, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security chief of ceremonies. Wehmeier then passed the saber to McIntire symbolizing the relinquishment of his duties. McIntire accepted the saber and passed it to Maule with this charge: "From this day forward, I charge you to commit yourself to the duties and responsibilities of the chief warrant office of air defense artillery, and to carry out those duties with the highest standards. Maule then returned the saber to Boone.
McIntire welcomed Maule, who he said has hit the ground running.
"Good luck chief, we know you can do the job that's why we picked you," McIntire said. "You have the right skills, and the right experience."
CW5 MAULE
Maule was most recently the command chief warrant officer at the 94th Army and Air Missile Defense Command at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. He had served at Fort Sill, in 2010, coming here as part of the Base Realignment and Closure move of the ADA from Fort Bliss, Texas. He worked at the then-6th ADA Brigade as the Patriot Top Gun Course manager. In 2013, he transferred to the Training and Doctrine Command Capability Manager Office here as its life-cycle management officer.
Maule described himself as a logical thinker, and that's reflected in his leadership style.
"I will assess the situation, and make logical decisions on where the branch needs to go and advise the commandant accordingly," he said.
The new CWOB said he will continue the efforts of Wehmeier, and retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Nate Jones (Wehmeier's predecessor), who was at the ceremony.
"I will continually to push that ball forward, as well as find opportunities for improvement from my own perspectives and from my own experiences, so I can move the cohort to make it better," said Maule, who enlisted in the Army Jan. 24, 1989.
When the 140E warrants graduate Oct. 1, Maule will make the determination whether they go 140K or 140L, he said.
"We look at their records and see what they are qualified for, and I will make the final decision on what MOS they will be awarded."
The ADA CWOB has an indefinite tour length, Maule said, noting some chiefs have filled the position for 10 years. He added he is excited about his new role.
"I look forward to being a combat multiplier to the warrant officer cohort for the foreseeable future."
CW5 WEHMEIER
Wehmeier took the CWOB position March 18, 2016. He reflected back on the past two years.
"I will remember the senior leaders that I interacted with and learned from, and the 350 warrant officers that the air defense artillery has in the branch -- they're passionate about what they do. They're just incredible leaders -- men and women who put the mission first."
Wehmeier retires June 15; until then he will work in the ADA commandant's office. He said he and his family will be staying in Lawton.
"We love Lawton and the community, and the people of Oklahoma."
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