FORT LEE, Va. – A Northwood, New Hampshire native and 30-year Army veteran is now the 6th Regimental Chief Warrant Officer of the Transportation Corps.
Chief Warrant Officer 5 John. J. McCartin assumed the duties of his new position during a change of charter ceremony Tuesday morning in Wylie Hall at Fort Lee. He succeeded CW5 Jermain C. Williamson who served in the position since July 2018.
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 and Honorary Warrant Officer of the Transportation Regiment Michael J. Wichterman officiated the ceremony. Also in attendance were CW5 Danny K. Taylor, CASCOM CWO; CW5 Milo N. Jones, Quartermaster Corps CWO and many other distinguished guests.
Wichterman was first to speak at the event and began by briefly reviewing the history of the billet, then transitioning to the accomplishments of Williamson.
“What can I say? I've known him for decades,” he said. “It didn’t take a genius to figure out very early on that he had the right stuff (to serve as a leader in the U.S. Army).”
The retired chief added that Williamson had some difficult career assignments leading up to his role as the Transportation RCWO, which gave him a great wealth of knowledge. He distinguished himself as the branch’s first CWO selected to attend the Warrant Officer Career College at Fort Rucker, Ala., earlier in his career.
Wichterman then turned his attention to McCartin, with whom he is equally well-acquainted.
“John served with me as a young NCO back in the late 1990s,” he said. “We had some very memorable missions together and deployments. He was a great Soldier then, and he’s a great Soldier now.”
He then mentioned some of the unique characteristics of McCartin.
“I would say he is probably the premier developer coaching mentor in the corps,” Wichterman observed. “Jermain has made (the RCWO) shoes a little bigger … but I have no doubt you’re going to (wear them and grow them further).”
Williamson was next to speak at the event.
“When I gave my remarks as the incoming regimental chief warrant officer, I spoke about being blessed to have been in a number of challenging and diverse assignments and my hope of bringing all those lessons (learned) to assist me in the most important and difficult job that I had that time,” he said. “I got to say, this was such a great assignment; such a great honor and a remarkable circumstance.”
He then acknowledged the leaders of the Transportation Corps, thanking them for the opportunity to serve as the branch’s RCWO.
“This is an exceptional command comprised of personnel with vast operational experience and functional expertise,” Williamson said. “It is truly the people who make this command a world class organization.”
He then turned his attention to McCartin.
“We shared an entire career of experiences together. … John, I know the type of person and leader you are, and I cannot think of a more qualified and more deserving warrant officer than you for this assignment. I know you will lead the Transportation Corps to even higher heights.”
McCartin was last to speak and started by acknowledging all the mentors who have played a role in his career progression. After that, he thanked his family for their love and support.
“I’m humbled, honored and excited to be standing here as a sixth Transportation Corps Chief Warrant Officer,” McCartin said. “Jermain, thank you. You have raised the bar as the (TC RCWO). … Thank you for all the guidance and advice provided over the past weeks as we have worked to try and help me understand what this position does and how truly pivotal it is. I look forward to the challenge of continuing the work you’ve done.”
McCartin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration and Management from Excelsior College. He is a certified and demonstrated master logistician and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Transportation and Logistics from American Military University.
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