KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center has two senior non-commissioned officers that were selected as part of the initial cohort of 78 Airmen from across the Active-duty, Reserve, and Air National Guard total force who will attend the newly created Warrant Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. starting this October.
Master Sgt. Jonathan Miller from Headquarters AFOTEC’s Operation Directorate and Master Sgt. Dennis Cracraft from AFOTEC’s Detachment 3 at Hill AFB, Utah were selected as part of the Air Force’s reintroduction of warrant officers to maintain an edge in two fast-moving technical fields: information technology and cybersecurity and created two new Air Force specialty codes for warrant officers.
Miller is part of the first AFSC, 17W, Warfighter Communications and Information Technology Systems Operations. These individuals are subject matter experts and trusted advisors on the planning, deployment, employment, and security of enterprise and warfighter communications systems.
Cracraft is part of the second AFSC, 17Y, Cyber Effects and Warfare Operations that serve as subject matter experts and trusted advisors on offensive and defensive cyber operations assets and personnel.
The Air Force dissolved its Warrant Officer Corps in 1958 following the creation of the senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant ranks, who took on warrant officer responsibilities. These senior NCOs took on specific technical duties but were never relieved of their institutional requirements.
“It is an honor to be a part of the first group of warrant officer selectees in the United States Air Force since the 1950s,” said Master Sgt. Jonathan Miller. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to help shape what it means to be a USAF warrant officer for future generations and am excited for the new career path for our respective career fields.”
The reinstatement of the Warrant Officer Corps career path in the Air Force aims to address critical operational needs, while maintaining highly perishable skills, and leverage the unique expertise and capabilities of warrant officers. They will serve as technical experts, functional leaders, advisors, professionals, and risk managers, contributing to the overall proficiency of their organizations.
“It is a great honor and privilege to be amongst the first wave of Air Force warrant officers,” said Master Sgt. Dennis Cracraft. “For years, the cyber community has dreamed about this opportunity, and it is finally here. I enlisted when I was 24 years old with no computer background and was a client systems technician. I started taking classes as soon as I could to learn more in a career field that I felt passionate about and would complete certifications along the way to completing my Masters in 2020. Being chosen for this esteemed role signifies not only recognition of our past achievements and work ethic but also a commitment to uphold the highest standards of excellence, integrity, and service. As pioneers in this journey, I feel it is our obligation to lead, inspire and set a benchmark for future generations.”
“The reintroduction of the warrant officer career path reflects the Air Force's commitment to expanding and retaining technical excellence, essential for maintaining a strategic advantage in an era defined by Great Power Competition,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “By investing in talent management programs that preserve proficiency and competence in our perishable and highly technical skills, the Air Force aims to ensure its readiness to stay ahead of rapidly advancing threats and safeguard national security interests effectively.”