KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and civilians throughout Kandahar Airfield celebrated the U.S. Army's Warrant Officer Corps 100th birthday, here, with a luncheon and a base-wide 5k run.
On July 9, 1918, Congress established the Army Mine Planter Service, which appointed Army personnel to operate the vessels, as part to the Coast Artillery. The establishment of the service began the Army Warrant Officer Corps. During that time warrant officers served as masters, mates, chief engineers and assistant engineers.
Two years later, warrant officers were expanded to serve in clerical, administrative and band leading activities. Since then the corps has expanded to serving in 17 branches and 67 warrant officer specialties.
During the luncheon, held July 9th, warrant officers throughout the airfield had the opportunity to engage with each other and talk about the significance of the corps centennial birthday.
"The corps has a rich history and I am truly honored to be part of something as significant as celebrating its 100th birthday as a member of the corps," said U.S. Army Warrant Officer Ebony Spry, an information services technician assigned to 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
Spry, a native of San Antonio, Texas, graduated from the Warrant Officer Candidate School on August of 2016.
"I was encouraged by my (officer in charge) when I worked in the pentagon to submit my packet to transfer from enlisted to warrant officer," said Spry. "After being selected and graduating from the basic course I was a bit scared because as a warrant officer I am the subject matter expert in my specialty."
Although nervous about her new responsibilities, Spry said she didn't' regret her decision.
"It was a big learning experience and I was able to learn a lot from my peers during the (basic) course," she said. "It's important for me to continue to learn about my specialty, to keep up with every change or update because I take pride in being able to mentor and teach Soldiers who look at me for guidance in my specialty."
The celebration of the corps centennial birthday continued on the morning of July 15, with a 5k run open to everyone on the airfield.
Warrant Officer Sonia Shaw, a property accounting technician attached to the 40th Infantry Division, California National Guard, came out to run and celebrate along with her peers.
"As an enlisted Soldier I was 'raised' by nothing but warrant officers, so I knew very early in my career that I would someday be a warrant as well," said the Paso Robles, California native. "Growing up in the Army I saw warrant officers not only as technical experts but also as very well rounded leaders, so now it's my job to continue that image."
Shaw, who graduated from WOCS in April of 2017, said the centennial birthday was not only special to her but her godfather as well, a retired Chief Warrant Officer 4.
"My godfather served during the first stages of the corps and was able to witness first-hand the growth and I am excited to be able to carry the weight and contribute to the corps as he once did."
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