| Third annual warrant officer muster meets in Dublin |
DUBLIN, Ohio - Nearly 90 Ohio Army National Guard warrant officers from throughout the state convened at the Dublin Crowne Plaza hotel March 15 and 16 for their third annual muster. The event brings together warrant officers of all branches to share information pertinent to the warrant officer corps, interact with counterparts from different branches and resolve issues specific to their branch. “The concept is not only to inform and educate warrant officers, but give them the opportunity to be exposed to other Ohio Army National Guard warrant officer branches and instill a sense of camaraderie,” said Command Chief Warrant Officer D.K. Taylor, Ohio’s top-ranking warrant officer. After a brief opening ceremony and welcoming remarks by Taylor, Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Wayt, Ohio adjutant general, addressed the gathering. “I could not be prouder of all you are doing for your Soldiers because it’s about the guy on the bottom,” Wayt said The two-day event was filled with informational briefings and updates on a variety of subjects including benefits, financial management and recruiting. Warrant Officer Ronald L. Cook from the Newark-based 211th Maintenance Company said he enjoyed learning about new ideas and techniques as well as helping to improve the state’s overall readiness. The event is important because it offers warrant officers—who make up only two percent of the National Guard—the opportunity to see the bigger picture outside of their individual technical fields, Taylor said. “The muster gives them that needed exposure to other warrants who work in the same field or MOS (military occupational specialty) to glean information, brainstorm and resolve similar problems,” Taylor said. “It is important to me that all warrant officers feel like a member of an elite team of technical experts prepared to serve the state and nation at the highest levels.” A Saturday evening social at the Crowne Plaza Grill offered the warrant officers a chance to network with their counterparts from throughout the state and discuss the day’s topics. “This is the third year we’ve conducted the muster,” Taylor said. “We will be hosting it again next year although more than 50 percent of our warrants will be deployed.” - 30 - |
