The second spotlight from the 3d Medical Command (Deployment Support) in recognition of Black History Month is, Command Chief Warrant Officer, Chief Warrant Officer 5, Fred Hodges.

I joined the Army in 1984 after realizing college wasn’t for me at the time. I was not doing anything promising but wanted to prove that I can succeed in life; the Army gave me that opportunity. And later in life the joy of serving with my wife and sons.

Over the course of my career I’ve had many roles as a Soldier, NCO and Warrant Officer; from Radar Equipment Repairer, Dental Assistant, Medical Equipment Repairer, Medlog NCOIC, all the way to my current position with Logistics Management for the 3d MC(DS).

I continue to serve because I love mentoring the Soldiers I work with and the Army still makes me feel like I'm contributing to something that's bigger than myself and my inner circle. I continue to feel proud of what I'm doing every day I put on the uniform.

In the next few weeks I will be deploying with the 804^th Task Force as a Senior Medical Maintenance Officer. I am excited to deploy again but reminded this position is one of many critical Warrant Officer positions in the Army Reserve.

Deployed or at the HQ with the 3d MC(DS) I will continue to advocate for Warrant Officers. There is no one path to becoming a warrant officer even though they make up less than three percent of total Army strength. Warrant Officers make up the technical foundation of the U.S. Army. Throughout their careers, they specialize in a technical area. Warrant Officers have a great job responsibility that includes training Soldiers, organizing and advising on missions, and advancing within their career specialties.

My door is always open to talk with Soldiers about the Warrant Officer program.