Alabama Warrant Officer Distinguished Honor Graduate at WOBC

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WO1 Mickey Dickerson

MONTGOMERY, AL (08/30/2010)(readMedia)-- Alabama Army National Guard Warrant Officer Mickey Dickerson continues to outshine the competition. A recent graduate from Signal Systems Support Technician Warrant Officer Basic Course, Dickerson set the standards for all to meet, being named the distinguished honor graduate for her class.

She was also named the Distinguished Honor Graduate and Leadership Award recipient for her Warrant Officer Candidate School. Other achievements and awards include the German Army Troop Duty Proficiency Badge (Gold), the Commandant's Award for Physical Fitness, one Meritorious Serve Medal, six Army Commendation Medals and six Army Achievement Medals.

According to the state chief warrant officer, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Thomas Gilbert, Dickerson personifies what the warrant officer corps is all about. "Her accomplishments are of no surprise," said Gilbert. "She was an outstanding noncommissioned officer who was an expert in her field and was highly recommended to continue her career as a warrant officer."

Dickerson said the driving force behind her success was simple tenacity and the will to succeed. "I believe that nothing is worth doing if you are not going to give the most of yourself," remarked Dickerson about her military accomplishments. "Anything less than that is just selling yourself short."

Dickerson said she made the decision to become a warrant officer while serving in Iraq. "I received a WO1 rank (insignia) from a warrant officer that I worked with," reminisced Dickerson. "I carried that rank with me from then on." With the encouragement of her leaders in the 31st Chemical Brigade, Dickerson accepted the challenge and enrolled in Warrant Officer Candidate School.

The rewards of becoming a warrant officer far outweighed the challenges for Dickerson. "Warrant officers are, by definition, technical experts, combat leaders, trainers and advisors. I see the warrant officer as a person who is trusted by the officer corps to make technical recommendations to accomplish the mission and successfully meet the commander's intent.

They can also be excellent mentors and trainers for enlisted personnel." Dickerson said the experience has provided her with a new focus and a new level of excitement for her military career.

Dickerson's passion and dedication drive her to succeed in her civilian life as well. To date she is two classes from completing her bachelor's in information systems with hopes of acquiring a masters in business administration within the next four years.

"She exemplifies excellence in all that she does as attested by her accomplishments," said Gilbert. "She always meets challenges positively and head on."

Dickerson has many influencers in her life. "I have nine nieces and nephews who are very important to me. I work hard to set the example for them and others. I want them to believe that anything is possible if you just work hard and give it your best."

But her strongest influencers have been her parents. "They are the reason I originally joined the military. They encouraged me to take this path to have options for education and training," said Dickerson. "They have always been supportive of my career, my successes and my failures."

According to Gilbert, Dickerson is, without question, a Soldier with unlimited potential. "She is a great ambassador for the Alabama National Guard and the warrant officer corps," said Gilbert.