Jacksonville Soldier becomes first to complete new warrant officer process

Story by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office

Related Media

140125-Z-IK722-007X_web.jpg

SPRINGFIELD, IL (11/13/2014)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Staff Sgt. Courtney McCormick of Jacksonville, Illinois, completed the federal recognition board at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, Nov. 12 to become a warrant officer. She was the first Soldier to complete the necessary steps before obtaining the warrant officer candidate rank using the new recruiting process.

McCormick completed the federal recognition board, which is the last step before attending the five-week warrant officer candidate school in January 2015, where she will achieve the rank of warrant officer 1.

"I want to be the subject matter expert in my field," said McCormick. "I like knowing something well enough to help people and explain the challenging process to them."

Approximately 50 Soldiers from all over Illinois were evaluated and prepared for the summer warrant officer selection event in July and August to become warrant officer candidates.

The Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG) hopes to improve its warrant officer strength with this new process, said David W. Hammon of Petersburg, Illinois, State Command Chief Warrant Officer 5.

"Units recommend people to go through a screening process," said Warrant Officer 1, Morgan Madrick of Loami, Illinois, strength management warrant officer. "I collect the information and create packets in preparation for the warrant officer selection events."

The process changed from primarily recruiting Soldiers to become warrant officers to a selection process that honed in on vacancies across the state. This selection process pre-screened Soldiers who meet the criteria to become a warrant officer and fill vacant positions.

"I was impressed with the process," said McCormick. "The event was beneficial and I learned a lot from the breakout sessions, but I already knew I wanted to become a warrant officer."

The process worked and it is an accomplishment to get through all the steps, said Hammon.

"It is a relief to have gotten this far and I know the challenges that lay ahead," said McCormick.

(Left) State Command Chief Warrant Officer 5, David W. Hammon of Petersburg, Illinois, congratulates Staff Sgt. Courtney McCormick of Jacksonville, Illinois, as the first Soldier to complete the necessary steps before obtaining the warrant officer rank using the new recruiting process at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, Nov. 12. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

(Left) State Command Chief Warrant Officer 5, David W. Hammon of Petersburg, Illinois, stands with Staff Sgt. Courtney McCormick of Jacksonville, Illinois. She is the first Soldier to complete the necessary steps before obtaining the warrant officer rank using the new recruiting process at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois, Nov. 12. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Aleah M. Castrejon, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)