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RCAF chief warrant officer takes on military’s top non-commissioned member job
July 8, 2013
by Holly Bridges
Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West, a Royal Canadian Air Force airborne electronic sensor operator (AESOP), was appointed as the new Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer (CAFCWO) during a ceremony presided over by General Tom Lawson, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) last Friday.
“Even though I am taking on a new responsibility to represent all non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces as a whole, I will always wear my AESOP wings proudly and never forget where I came from,” said CWO West after signing the change of appointment certificates.
"It is humbling to have been selected as the next Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer and to follow in the footsteps of so many great leaders, such as CPO1 [Chief Petty Officer First Class] Bob Cleroux [the outgoing CFCWO] and others who have gone before me. It is truly an honour to have the opportunity to be part of the senior leadership team of the CAF and I look forward to continuing the work of preparing our sailors, soldiers, airmen and air women for the future," said CWO West.
CWO West, who was praised for his professional and compassionate coordination and handling of more than 42 repatriation ceremonies at 8 Wing Trenton during the height of Canadian Armed Forces combat missions in Afghanistan, replaces CPO1 Bob Cleroux. CPO1 Cleroux has held the position since July of 2010 and will be retiring from the CAF following almost 37 years of service to Canada, 30 of which were spent almost entirely on operations at sea.
“My wife was getting tired of [me being away on] all the [short and long] trips over the years and now that I am retiring, I told her not to worry because after this ceremony, [I’d be] coming home and staying home,” said CPO1 Cleroux.
CPO1 Cleroux went on to thank his family and “all the military and civilian personnel I've had the privilege and the pleasure of working with over the years" and expressed his appreciation to his colleagues and superiors, especially Gen Lawson, and the former CDS, Gen (ret’d) Walt Natynczyk, who attended the ceremony looking tanned and relaxed in his civilian attire.
Gen Lawson described CPO1 Cleroux as “a highly valued advisor whose experience, knowledge and connection with the men and women of our armed forces has been crucial to me since I became the Chief of the Defence Staff last fall.
“I thank you for everything you have done in service to the Canadian Armed Forces and to your country,” Gen Lawson concluded.
The CAFCWO serves as the principle non-commissioned advisor to the CDS, as well being Canada's senior serving non-commissioned member (NCM).
The CFCWO is regarded as being an institutional leader, co-steward of the profession of arms in Canada, and the custodian of the NCM corps. The CAFCWO advises the CDS on issues and concerns relating to the welfare, morale, development, employment and succession planning of the Canadian Armed Forces' NCMs.
"My first priority will be to get out to our fleets, bases and wings to meet with our people and to develop a better sense of where we stand,” said CWO West. “I intend to focus on ensuring we have the programs and tools that will enable all members of the CAF to effectively carry out their missions. Our personnel and their families are our number one asset and I will work hard with the Chief of the Defence Staff and the entire leadership element of the CAF to provide everything within our means to support them."
RCAF chief warrant officer takes on military’s top non-commissioned member job
July 8, 2013
by Holly Bridges
Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West, a Royal Canadian Air Force airborne electronic sensor operator (AESOP), was appointed as the new Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer (CAFCWO) during a ceremony presided over by General Tom Lawson, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) last Friday.
“Even though I am taking on a new responsibility to represent all non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces as a whole, I will always wear my AESOP wings proudly and never forget where I came from,” said CWO West after signing the change of appointment certificates.
"It is humbling to have been selected as the next Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer and to follow in the footsteps of so many great leaders, such as CPO1 [Chief Petty Officer First Class] Bob Cleroux [the outgoing CFCWO] and others who have gone before me. It is truly an honour to have the opportunity to be part of the senior leadership team of the CAF and I look forward to continuing the work of preparing our sailors, soldiers, airmen and air women for the future," said CWO West.
CWO West, who was praised for his professional and compassionate coordination and handling of more than 42 repatriation ceremonies at 8 Wing Trenton during the height of Canadian Armed Forces combat missions in Afghanistan, replaces CPO1 Bob Cleroux. CPO1 Cleroux has held the position since July of 2010 and will be retiring from the CAF following almost 37 years of service to Canada, 30 of which were spent almost entirely on operations at sea.
“My wife was getting tired of [me being away on] all the [short and long] trips over the years and now that I am retiring, I told her not to worry because after this ceremony, [I’d be] coming home and staying home,” said CPO1 Cleroux.
CPO1 Cleroux went on to thank his family and “all the military and civilian personnel I've had the privilege and the pleasure of working with over the years" and expressed his appreciation to his colleagues and superiors, especially Gen Lawson, and the former CDS, Gen (ret’d) Walt Natynczyk, who attended the ceremony looking tanned and relaxed in his civilian attire.
Gen Lawson described CPO1 Cleroux as “a highly valued advisor whose experience, knowledge and connection with the men and women of our armed forces has been crucial to me since I became the Chief of the Defence Staff last fall.
“I thank you for everything you have done in service to the Canadian Armed Forces and to your country,” Gen Lawson concluded.
The CAFCWO serves as the principle non-commissioned advisor to the CDS, as well being Canada's senior serving non-commissioned member (NCM).
The CFCWO is regarded as being an institutional leader, co-steward of the profession of arms in Canada, and the custodian of the NCM corps. The CAFCWO advises the CDS on issues and concerns relating to the welfare, morale, development, employment and succession planning of the Canadian Armed Forces' NCMs.
"My first priority will be to get out to our fleets, bases and wings to meet with our people and to develop a better sense of where we stand,” said CWO West. “I intend to focus on ensuring we have the programs and tools that will enable all members of the CAF to effectively carry out their missions. Our personnel and their families are our number one asset and I will work hard with the Chief of the Defence Staff and the entire leadership element of the CAF to provide everything within our means to support them."
