Photo By Terrance Bell | Chief Warrant Officer 5 Danny K. Taylor accepts the Ordnance Corps Warrant Officer...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (June 25, 2019) -- Acknowledged as an individual “with the experience and insights to carry the torch of his predecessor,” Chief Warrant Officer 5 Danny K. Taylor was officially installed as the Ordnance Corps’ most senior CWO during a June 18 ceremony in Ball Auditorium here.
Taylor, a Soldier of 26 years, is the 11th individual to hold the position. He replaced CW5 Norman G. May. Presiding over the formalities was Brig. Gen. Heidi J. Hoyle, Chief of Ordnance, who passed the corps’ CWO charter from the outgoing to the incoming officer.
The event, coming on the heels of the 59th Ord. Brigade change of responsibility the week prior, drew roughly 200 people from throughout the sustainment community including key leaders from the Quartermaster and Transportation schools.
Hoyle’s torchbearer comments came during a laudatory description of May’s work and introduction of Taylor, who she said was selected via an arduous screening process. The new CWO’s resume includes two tours in Iraq and a long list of other successes to include a previous position here as the ordnance warrant officer personnel developer.
“He is an innovative leader and technical expert who has the right mix of critical thinking and problem-solving skills we need to continue to build the premier land-force technical experts – the best talent in the right positions, fully equipped to support Army readiness,” Hoyle acknowledged.
Before going into the core of his remarks, Taylor removed himself from the lectern and walked over to kiss his wife, Linda, who was celebrating a birthday. The gesture of spousal support was in line with family oriented stories he told about his children – two of whom were present – and how well they integrate into new environments.
“I’m just amazed at how adaptive you are as military children,” he said. “So, I love you; I love you both.”
Taylor went on to thank a number of those in the audience including his out-of-town guests, those he served with previously and those he will serve with, including Hoyle.
“Ma’am, thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent over 3,000 ordnance warrant officers with nine different MOSs across the active Army, National Guard and Army Reserve,” he said. “It is absolutely humbling to be standing here in the footsteps of the previous Ordnance Regimental Warrant Officers.”
Taylor comes to Fort Lee from an assignment as the G-4 senior warrant officer, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
May, who assumed his duties in 2017, was commended by Hoyle for surpassing expectations in all of his roles.
“He was the principal and trusted advisor not just to me but the whole command team and to all of the 96,000 ordnance professionals around the world,” she said. “In fact, during his short tenure with us, Chief May informed and influenced professional decisions in not one, but two Chiefs of Ordnance, and the Ordnance Corps is significantly better for it.”
As a technician with a broad depth of knowledge and experience, Hoyle said May was steadfast and unwavering with his assessments, opinions and strategies, especially when they attended meetings.
“I never hesitated to ask for his input (intentional pause), and he never hesitated to give it,” she said as she received acknowledging laughter from the crowd. “His input was always solicited, always needed and always spot on.”
May, Hoyle continued, was not only interested in mission accomplishment but also serving as an advocate for all ordnance Soldiers and especially those who wore the warrant officer bars.
“Chief May worked tirelessly to promote the pride, prestige and traditions of the Ordnance Corps,” she said. “He is a true champion of education and professional development of warrant officers across the total force.”
May spearheaded the redesign of ordnance warrant officer professional military education resulting in 300 hours of technical training added to the warrant officer basic and advanced courses. Hoyle also cited many other examples of May’s innovative thinking, leadership and mentorship. She said they all have legs of longevity.
“Over the last two years, he’s championed many initiatives that will positively impact our corps, the school and warrant officers for years to come,” she said. “That’s a good win for Team Ordnance, the sustainment community and for our Army.”
May, for his time at the lectern, thanked his family (his wife and son were in attendance), the leadership and all those who supported him during the course of his duties. He said his follow-on position will likely leave a void in an area that’s abundant here at the schoolhouse.
“The thing I’m going to miss most is being able to walk out and see the youngest Soldiers coming into the Army – (the opportunity) to talk with them and just seeing the sheer pride with their eyes wide open, ready to serve the country,” he said. “The moments when you get to see the raw patriotism in young Soldiers is what I’ll miss the most.”
May is scheduled for duty at the Army Sustainment Command, Rock Island, Ill. It only has a fraction of the roughly 4,000 troops that are assigned at the Ordnance School on any given day.
| Date Taken: | 06.25.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 06.25.2019 16:57 |
| Story ID: | 329134 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 185 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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