In this special Warrant Officer Birthday edition of COHORT W, host CW4 Jessie Morlan welcomes CW5 LaShon P. White, the 9th Command Chief Warrant Officer of the United States Army Reserve, to help commemorate the enduring legacy and future of the Warrant Officer Cohort.

With a military career spanning nearly four decades, CW5 White brings a wealth of experience and perspective to the conversation. From his enlistment in 1986 as a machinist in the Army Reserve to his transition into the active component and eventual commissioning as a Warrant Officer in 2000, his journey reflects dedication, adaptability, and service excellence. Now serving as the senior Warrant Officer for the Army Reserve, CW5 White leads mentorship, development, and readiness initiatives that shape the future of the Cohort.

In this brief but meaningful episode, CW5 White delivers a powerful birthday message to Warrant Officers past, present, and future—highlighting the Cohort’s evolution, values, and the critical role Warrant Officers play in the Army’s readiness and transformation.

Join us as we reflect, honor, and celebrate the professionals who serve as the technical and tactical experts of the force. Happy Birthday to the Warrant Officer Cohort—107 years of excellence and counting.

🔥 Top Resources for Warrant Officers

📖 Strength in Knowledge Journal – Warrant Officer Journal
Explore current ideas, innovations, and research from across the cohort.
🔗 Read Now

🏛️ Warrant Officer Historical Foundation (WOHF)
Learn more about the legacy and future of the Warrant Officer Cohort and how you can support programs like this podcast.
🔗 Visit warrantofficerhistory.org

📲 Follow WOHF on Social Media

• Instagram: @WOHF1918
• Twitter: @WOHF1918
• LinkedIn: Warrant Officer Historical Foundation

🏫 United States Army Warrant Officer Career College (USAWOCC)
Explore Warrant Officer education, training, and course offerings.
🔗 USAWOCC Overview

🤝 United States Army Warrant Officer Association (USAWOA)
Stay connected with your professional association.
🔗 Visit usawoa.org
Facebook: United States Army Warrant Officer Association

🧠 Leadership Writing Resources

📝 The Harding Project
A community dedicated to building better writers and leaders.
🔗 Learn More

📘 CGSC Professional Writing Guide
Helpful guidance for military professionals looking to write and publish effectively.
🔗 Download PDF

🏛️ ARMYU Press
Home to professional military publications including NCO, Warrant Officer, and Military Review journals.
🔗 Visit Army University Press

🎵 Credits

🎼 Theme
Composed by SFC(R) Joshua DiStefano
🔗 joshdistefano.com

🎺 Ceremonial Music
Provided by The U.S. Army Band
🔗https://www.usarmyband.com/ceremonial-music-guide

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!

Welcome to a special Independence Day episode of the COHORT W Podcast. I'm your host, CW4 Jessie Morlan, and today, we celebrate the 4th of July with a message of pride, patriotism, and purpose from one of our most respected senior leaders in the Warrant Officer Cohort.

Joining us is CW5 Brian Searcy, the 8th Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army National Guard, who brings decades of service and insight shaped by a career spanning intelligence, readiness, and leadership at the highest levels. From his beginnings as a cannon crewmember in the Utah Army National Guard to becoming the senior warrant officer advisor to the Director of the Army National Guard, CW5 Searcy has embodied the strength and resilience of the Citizen-Soldier.

In this Independence Day episode, CW5 Searcy reflects on what it means to serve in the world's most capable land force, how the Army National Guard supports our communities and our nation, and the enduring values that unite us on this day of celebration. His words serve as a reminder of the role that each Warrant Officer plays in preserving liberty and leading through service.

Whether you're in uniform, a proud veteran, or someone who supports those who serve—this message is for you. Happy Independence Day from the entire COHORT W team.

🔥 Top Resources for Warrant Officers

📖 Strength in Knowledge Journal – Warrant Officer Journal
Explore current ideas, innovations, and research from across the cohort.
🔗 Read Now

🏛️ Warrant Officer Historical Foundation (WOHF)
Learn more about the legacy and future of the Warrant Officer Cohort and how you can support programs like this podcast.
🔗 Visit warrantofficerhistory.org

📲 Follow WOHF on Social Media

• Instagram: @WOHF1918
• Twitter: @WOHF1918
• LinkedIn: Warrant Officer Historical Foundation

🏫 United States Army Warrant Officer Career College (USAWOCC)
Explore Warrant Officer education, training, and course offerings.
🔗 USAWOCC Overview

🤝 United States Army Warrant Officer Association (USAWOA)
Stay connected with your professional association.
🔗 Visit usawoa.org
Facebook: United States Army Warrant Officer Association

🧠 Leadership Writing Resources

📝 The Harding Project
A community dedicated to building better writers and leaders.
🔗 Learn More

📘 CGSC Professional Writing Guide
Helpful guidance for military professionals looking to write and publish effectively.
🔗 Download PDF

🏛️ ARMYU Press
Home to professional military publications including NCO, Warrant Officer, and Military Review journals.
🔗 Visit Army University Press

🎵 Credits

🎼 Theme
Composed by SFC(R) Joshua DiStefano
🔗 joshdistefano.com

🎺 Ceremonial Music
Provided by The U.S. Army Band
🔗https://www.usarmyband.com/ceremonial-music-guide

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!

In this powerful episode of COHORT W, host CW4 Jessie Morlan sits down with a true legend in the Warrant Officer Cohort—Chief Warrant Officer Four (Ret.) Bob Cooper—to reflect on his 30-year military journey and the timeless lessons of professional military education (PME). From enlisting in 1957 and becoming a dual-rated Master Army Aviator with over 4,000 flight hours—including 1,100+ in combat—to shaping key safety initiatives in Army Aviation, CW4 (Ret.) Cooper's story is both inspiring and instructive.

As a former Director of the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation and lifelong advocate for the Warrant Officer Cohort, Mr. Cooper shares candid reflections on what PME looked like in his era, which elements stood the test of time, and what modern leaders should preserve as PME continues to evolve.

🔹 Topics Covered:

• CW4 (Ret.) Cooper’s early Army experience and transition to Warrant Officer
• The value of PME in the 1960s and ’70s
• Key takeaways from aviation safety reforms and major Army studies
• Timeless advice for the next generation of Warrant Officers

Whether you’re new to the Cohort or a seasoned leader, this episode is filled with stories and insights that will leave a lasting impact.

🔥 Top Resources for Warrant Officers

📖 Strength in Knowledge Journal – Warrant Officer Journal
Explore current ideas, innovations, and research from across the cohort.
🔗 Read Now

🏛️ Warrant Officer Historical Foundation (WOHF)
Learn more about the legacy and future of the Warrant Officer Cohort and how you can support programs like this podcast.
🔗 Visit warrantofficerhistory.org

📲 Follow WOHF on Social Media

• Instagram: @WOHF1918
• Twitter: @WOHF1918
• LinkedIn: Warrant Officer Historical Foundation

🏫 United States Army Warrant Officer Career College (USAWOCC)
Explore Warrant Officer education, training, and course offerings.
🔗 USAWOCC Overview

🤝 United States Army Warrant Officer Association (USAWOA)
Stay connected with your professional association.
🔗 Visit usawoa.org
Facebook: United States Army Warrant Officer Association

🧠 Leadership Writing Resources

📝 The Harding Project
A community dedicated to building better writers and leaders.
🔗 Learn More

📘 CGSC Professional Writing Guide
Helpful guidance for military professionals looking to write and publish effectively.
🔗 Download PDF

🏛️ ARMYU Press
Home to professional military publications including NCO, Warrant Officer, and Military Review journals.
🔗 Visit Army University Press

🎵 Credits

🎼 Theme
Composed by SFC(R) Joshua DiStefano
🔗 joshdistefano.com

🎺 Ceremonial Music
Provided by The U.S. Army Band
🔗https://www.usarmyband.com/ceremonial-music-guide

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!