The Virginia National Guard’s Warrant Officer Candidate School welcomed a new commander and recognized the latest graduates of the program in back-to-back ceremonies held May 4 at Fort Pickett, Virginia.
In the first ceremony, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joshua Martin took command of the Virginia National Guard’s WOCS from Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wayne Sexton. Martin is the first commander to also be a graduate of Virginia’s WOCS program.
“You’re looking at a guy who was an E-5 when I was approved to go to WOCS,” Martin said. “I put my packet in the first time and it got denied. It doesn’t always work out the first time, but I persisted and I completed what was asked of me and 10 years later, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”
Martin grew up in Fincastle and now resides in Richmond.
Lt. Col. Rob Fitch, commander of 3rd Battalion, 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute which includes the WOCS, presided over the ceremony. During his remarks, Fitch noted the years of involvement that many graduates of the program dedicate to the WOCS, including the new commander.
“Mr. Martin has been doing this for nine years,” Fitch said. “It’s well-deserved to be appointed the next commander of the unit and I have every bit of faith and trust that you’re going to carry this forward and continue the beacon of success that the warrant officer program has developed over its many years.”
