"I was initially a navigation electronics technician
aboard submarines... 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."
Source: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Dale Courtney
of Richmond, Va., one of the first two Navy "Flying Chief
Warrant Officers. "The Navy instituted the program to
supplement the current officer aviation force by placing qualified
CWOs in the cockpit as pilots and naval flight officers (NFOs). He
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 held Dec. 20th.