Nearly two years ago,
the US Navy began the "Flying Chief Warrant Officer" program to
supplement the current officer aviation force by placing qualified
CWOs in the cockpit as pilots and naval flight officers (NFOs), and
just recently two of the initial applicants received their
"wings of gold."
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dale Courtney of Richmond, Va., and
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adam Rittierodt of Kent, Wash., were among
the first to take advantage of the opportunity and received their
wings during a ceremony, Dec. 20th.
Courtney and Rittierodt were selected in 2006, commissioned and
then reported to Pensacola, Fla., along with the other NFO
selectees to begin their primary flight training. According to
Rittierodt, training began with Aviation Pre-flight Indoctrination
where the warrant officers learned about aviation physiology. The
six-week course develops a foundation of aviation knowledge that
challenges students both physically and mentally.
"We were then sent to our primary squadrons," said Rittierodt.
"We attended ground school and conducted basic contact flights,
which means we actually put our hands on the controls. Then we
attended instrument ground school, which is where we learned to use
the controls in the back of the plane."
Prior to joining the program, Rittierodt already had previous
aviation experience as an enlisted aircrewman. Courtney however,
began with an entirely different background, as well as
eco-level.
"I was initially a navigation electronics technician aboard
submarines," said Courtney. "I've always had a fascination for
aviation and I've always wanted to become an officer, so this
opportunity gave me the chance to do both."
Courtney said his ultimate goal is to qualify as a TACCO, aboard
the P-3. "That's the guy that runs the show in the back of the
P-3," he explained. Both Courtney and Rittierodt gave their best
recommendations to anyone thinking of applying for the Flying Chief
Warrant Officer program.
"Definitely do it," said Rittierodt. "There isn't much more to
say!"
Courtney had a warning for those who are considering the
program, "don't procrastinate - putting a package together is a
lengthy process."
According to both officers, aside from the general requirements,
good study and time management skills are a must for those wishing
to get their flight wings. Along with Courtney and Rittierodt,
VP-30's Commanding Officer, Capt. Rich T. Fite awarded NFO wings to
Lt. 2nd Grade Patrick Leisner and Lt. 2nd Grade Christian Hegemann,
both of the German Navy.
"It is my honor to
welcome each of you to the world's most elite fraternity," said
Cozad as he addressed the new NFOs. This was Cozad's first time
participating in a wing pinning ceremony. During his speech he
reflected on his own pinning ceremony several years ago.
"Every time I put this uniform on, the part I'm most proud of is
what rests above my ribbons," he said, pointing to his own wings of
gold.
"I'm sure today's ceremony will start a similar lifetime of
pride for you all."
The next selection board for the active-duty Flying Chief
Warrant Officer Program will be held in the summer of 2008. [ANN
salutes Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Rebecca Kruck,
Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Southeast]