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CASCOM hosts annual sustainment warrant officer forum

By Alyssa CrockettFebruary 8, 2021

The Combined Arms Support Command conducted its annual Senior Sustainment Warrant Officer Forum Feb. 4 at the organization’s headquarters in Fort Lee, Virginia. The purpose of the day-long forum, where over 160 attendees joined in virtually, was to support leader development, cultivate shared understanding of best practices across commands, synchronize initiatives and promote dialogue within the community.
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Combined Arms Support Command conducted its annual Senior Sustainment Warrant Officer Forum Feb. 4 at the organization’s headquarters in Fort Lee, Virginia. The purpose of the day-long forum, where over 160 attendees joined in virtually, was to support leader development, cultivate shared understanding of best practices across commands, synchronize initiatives and promote dialogue within the community. (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Tom Burcham) VIEW ORIGINAL
CWOs gather for a group photo at the organization's headquarters in Fort Lee, Virginia, during the Combined Arms Support Command's annual Senior Sustainment Warrant Officer Forum Feb. 4. The purpose of the day-long forum, where over 160 attendees joined in virtually, was to support leader development, cultivate shared understanding of best practices across commands, synchronize initiatives and promote dialogue within the community.
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CWOs gather for a group photo at the organization's headquarters in Fort Lee, Virginia, during the Combined Arms Support Command's annual Senior Sustainment Warrant Officer Forum Feb. 4. The purpose of the day-long forum, where over 160 attendees joined in virtually, was to support leader development, cultivate shared understanding of best practices across commands, synchronize initiatives and promote dialogue within the community. (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Tom Burcham) VIEW ORIGINAL
Maj. Gen. Rodney D. Fogg, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, speaks during CASCOM's annual Senior Sustainment Warrant Officer Forum Feb. 4 at the organization’s headquarters here. The purpose of the day-long forum, where over 160 attendees joined in virtually, was to support leader development, cultivate shared understanding of best practices across commands, synchronize initiatives and promote dialogue within the community.
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Rodney D. Fogg, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, speaks during CASCOM's annual Senior Sustainment Warrant Officer Forum Feb. 4 at the organization’s headquarters here. The purpose of the day-long forum, where over 160 attendees joined in virtually, was to support leader development, cultivate shared understanding of best practices across commands, synchronize initiatives and promote dialogue within the community. (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Tom Burcham) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEE, Va. – The Combined Arms Support Command conducted its annual Senior Sustainment Warrant Officer Forum Feb. 4 at the organization’s headquarters here.

According to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jonathan O. Yerby, outgoing Command Chief Warrant Officer and lead for the event, the purpose was to support leader development, cultivate shared understanding of best practices across commands, synchronize initiatives and promote dialogue within the community.

Maj. Gen. Rodney D. Fogg, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, hosted the day-long forum where over 160 attendees joined in virtually. Among them was the Army’s senior logistician, Gen. Edward M. Daly, commanding general of Army Materiel Command, who provided opening remarks.

“Warrant Officers are … the center of gravity for readiness and modernization efforts,” Daly told the attendees. “Whether you’re a transporter, (a supply expert) or a maintainer, the bottom line is, what you do each and every day from the sustainment warfighting function in support of our Army is fantastic. You’re worth your weight in gold.”

Daly also highlighted the impact of the warrant officer cohort and said he wanted to leave attendees with something to think about going forward.

“Warrant officers are specialist with very specific technical expertise that we rely on to drive the Army’s readiness and modernization,” he said. “At every echelon, no matter what your job is, you have a sphere of influence to train, coach, mentor, lead and educate. You have to ask yourself, am I doing that to the maximum extent? Not only for the current unit, but to help someone develop for the future.”

Panel discussions on accessions, capabilities and initiatives included CW5 Teresa Domeier, Army National Guard CWO; CW5 Hal Griffin III, Army Reserve CWO; CW5 Richard Knowlton, Army Talent Management Task Force CWO; CW5 Steven Kilgore, Combined Arms Command CWO; CW5 Pennie Temmerman, Army Human Resources Command CWO; and Jeff Martin, deputy director of the Future Forces Integration Directorate.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Yolondria Dixon-Carter, senior warrant officer advisor to the chief of staff of the Army, offered advice to the cohort while discussing leader development.

“It is important that we are present,” she emphasized. “It is important that we continue to talk to our formations. The Army needs you – warrant officers, especially our senior (WOs) to advise, be alert, be there and be wise. I’m asking you for your time. Help us. Help the Army get better.”

Branches within the CASCOM enterprise – Quartermaster, Transportation, Ordnance and Adjutant General Corps – provided specific updates to close out the day.

At the conclusion of the forum, Yerby was recognized by senior warrant officers across the Army for his contributions while serving with CASCOM. He will be moving on to U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, N.C., to serve as the senior warrant officer advisor there.

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