Photo By Glenn Sircy | 180928-N-XX139-0036 PENSACOLA, Fla. (September 28, 2018) Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) 2...... read more read more
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PENSACOLA, Fla. – A senior chief intelligence specialist assigned to the Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) was commissioned as a chief warrant officer (CWO) during a ceremony at the Mustin Beach Officers Club onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, Sept. 28.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy W. Smith, a native of Gladewater, Texas, was selected for intelligence technician CWO, and now represents one of 45 CWOs in his community.
Navy CWOs are recognized experts who accomplish and lead Sailors in many of the fleet's toughest jobs. Navy intelligence technician CWOs assist in collection, evaluation, and dissemination of naval intelligence in support of surface, air, and antisubmarine warfare units and operational staffs.
“I knew I wanted to be a chief warrant officer since my first ship in 2000, the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67),” shared Smith. “We had a Chief Warrant Officer Walter Orr as our imagery officer, and it was his technical knowledge and knowledge of the Navy that made me respect him the most. He was the subject matter expert is his field and no one could match his knowledge of the rating and the Navy. He led by example and was always willing to sit down and teach a young Sailor something new.”
Pensacola holds special meaning for Smith. In 1999, Smith, just out of boot camp, arrived at his first “A” school here. Today, he commissioned as a CWO on the same base.
“Being commissioned as a chief warrant officer is an awesome feeling,” said Smith. “I started my Navy career in Pensacola at Naval Aircrew Candidate School back in 1999, and was advanced to E-3 during my time there. Now, 19 years later I am being promoted to chief warrant officer in Pensacola, very near where it all began. That is a truly awesome feeling and memory that I will never forget.”
At CIWT, Smith has served as the training manager for 31 intelligence specialist rating courses since Dec. 2017. He is responsible for ensuring curriculum and training initiatives are up-to-date and support mission requirements for the Navy’s roughly 2,500 intelligence specialists.
To mark this significant milestone in his career, Smith invited family and shipmates who have had significant impact on his career to take part in the ceremonial removal of his previous rank insignia and enlisted cover and placing of his new rank and cover. His first salute, a tradition for newly commissioned officers, was given by Chief Operations Specialist Kim Meeks.
“My family and shipmates have truly inspired me to always do better and be the best I can,” said Smith. “There is no higher honor to have you all here today, and thank you for participating in and celebrating this special moment with me and my family today–it means a lot to me that you are all here.”
The guest speaker was Lt. Cmdr. Shawn Hughes, a Navy intelligence officer. Smith has known for nearly 10 years. In his speech, Hughes shared what it means to commission; the importance of leadership; why Smith deserves this commission; how incredibly gratifying it is to see the results of his hard work; congratulated him and his family on this important milestone in his career; and wished him and his family well on this next chapter of their lives.
“No matter the task or mission, Randy always steps up and delivers results well above his paygrade,” said Hughes. “I can specifically remember a deployment to Iraq where he filled a Lt. Cmdr. billet as a chief, and he continuously knocked it out of the park.”
Smith’s next and initial assignment as a CWO will be aboard the USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, as the ship’s assistant intelligence officer.
Smith’s previous assignments include various ships and high-tempo operational units. His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (two awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), as well as numerous campaign and unit awards.
“I am going to miss being a chief and a part of the Chiefs Mess, but I look at this as an extension of the Mess into the Wardroom,” shared Smith. “I will take the wisdom and guidance I have acquired throughout my time in the Mess and carry them over into the Wardroom.”
Center for Information Warfare Training delivers trained information warfare professionals to the Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.
For more news from Center for Information Warfare Training enterprise, visit http://www.navy.mil/local/cid/, http://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/ciwt/, http://www.facebook.com/NavyCIWT, or http://www.twitter.com/NavyCIWT.
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 09.28.2018 15:36 |
| Story ID: | 294898 |
| Location: | PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,430 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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