COHORT W – Details, episodes & analysis

COHORT W – Season 5: A Legacy of Service

Welcome to Season 5 of COHORT W! I am your host, CW3 Marcus Harvey, an Army Warrant Officer, educator, and Warrant Officer Historical Foundation Fellow with a long-standing interest in Army history and the Warrant Officer profession.

Across the season, I will chat with historians and today’s Warrant Officers to explore how experience, trust, and technical expertise have shaped the Army across branches and generations. The conversations connect past lessons to present-day service and look ahead to the future of the force.

Produced in partnership with the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation, A Legacy of Service isn’t just about history; it’s about understanding where the profession comes from and why it continues to matter, often outside the spotlight.

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about military history, leadership, and the people who keep complex systems running, this season is worth a listen.

🎵 Credits

🎼 Theme MusicComposed by SFC (Ret) Joshua DiStefano🔗 https://www.joshdistefano.com/

🎺 Ceremonial Music

Provided by The United States Army Band🔗 https://www.usarmyband.com/ceremonial-music-guide

🎙️ Editing Support

DeAndre Gaines

Point of Contact: Deandre.m.gaines@gmail.com

🔥 Top Resources for Warrant Officers

📖 Strength in Knowledge – Warrant Officer Journal

Explore current ideas, innovations, and research from across the Warrant Officer cohort.

🔗https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Warrant-Officer-Journal/

🏛️ 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.

🔗 https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

📲 Follow WOHF on Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wohf1918

Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WOHF1918

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/warrant-officer-historical-foundation/

🏫 United States Army Warrant Officer Career College (USAWOCC)

Explore Warrant Officer education, training, and course offerings.

🔗 https://armyuniversity.edu/wocc/courses?p=Overview

🤝 United States Army Warrant Officer Association (USAWOA)

Stay connected with your professional association.

🔗 https://usawoa.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnitedStatesArmyWarrantOfficerAssociation co

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!

In this Season 4 finale, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jessie Morlan returns with a unique perspective—as both host and student. After completing the eight-week 420A Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) alongside newly appointed Warrant Officers from across all Army components, CW4 Morlan captures a moment of transformation within Warrant Officer Professional Military Education (PME).

This episode introduces the WOBC Project, a two-phase effort to document and reflect on the experiences of current WO1s—the very generation of Warrant Officers who will be most impacted by PME modernization. You'll hear directly from students in the Regular Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve as they share candid insights from their early PME journey.

📌 Phase 1 captures their thoughts during the initial weeks of the course—expectations, surprises, and first impressions.
📌 Phase 2, recorded two weeks after graduation, reflects on what they've learned, how it's applied in their new assignments, and their recommendations for shaping PME to meet the demands of future warfighting and sustainment.

From fresh perspectives to experienced reflections, this episode amplifies the voices of those who matter most in the evolution of Warrant Officer training—the students themselves.

🔥 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

🎵 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 episode of COHORT W, we sit down with Chief Warrant Officer 5 Steven Finney, the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC), to explore how Warrant Officer Professional Military Education (PME) is evolving within the elite world of Army Special Operations.

With over three decades of service—from his early days as an infantryman, to earning his Green Beret, to mentoring future leaders—CW5 Finney brings deep insight into how PME must adapt for the future fight. His experience spans operational deployments globally, institutional leadership at the JFK Special Warfare Center and School, and strategic advising at the highest levels of Army SOF.

Together, we discuss:

• The evolution of PME in Special Operations
• How elite Warrant Officers are developed to meet global challenges
• Balancing tradition and innovation within PME
• Mentorship, leadership, and lifelong service in the Warrant Officer Cohort

If you want to hear how Special Operations Warrant Officers prepare to lead at the tip of the spear, this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

🔥 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 follow-up to Season 4, Episode 2, COHORT W continues the conversation on the future of Warrant Officer Professional Military Education (PME) with CW5 Carlos Terrones, Command Chief Warrant Officer of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center.

But this time, we widen the lens.

Joining the discussion are CW4 Kent Frye, Commander of the Warrant Officer Recruiting Company (Active Component), and CW5 Aaron Anderson, the Chief Warrant Officer of the Army—bringing their operational and strategic insights to a conversation that connects education, accessions, and Cohort-wide modernization like never before.

Together, they explore:

• Recent PME developments and pilot programs
• Critical accessions challenges, successes, and MOS shortages
• How modernization is shaping recruiting messaging
• Enterprise-wide alignment and leadership guidance from the CWA
• A unified vision for preparing the Warrant Officer Cohort for 2030 and beyond

Whether you’re leading at the unit level, recruiting tomorrow’s Warrant Officers, or sitting in the PME classroom today—this episode brings perspective, clarity, and a clear call to action for shaping the future of our Cohort. Listen now to hear how PME, recruiting, and leadership are coming together to build the bench for the next generation.

🔥 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 episode of COHORT W, host CW4 Jessie Morlan and CW5 Charmaine Hilliard, Assistant Executive Officer to the Chief of Staff of the Army, share a conversation that traces an extraordinary Army career and powerfully testifies to the impact of Warrant Officer Professional Military Education.

From her early days enlisting in Jasper, Texas, to her leadership at the highest levels of the Pentagon, CW5 Hilliard shares the lessons, experiences, and key PME moments that helped shape her into the senior leader she is today. Together, they explore what worked well in her professional military education journey, how PME prepared her for strategic leadership roles, and how the Army can modernize PME for the next generation of Warrant Officers.

Topics Covered:

• The importance of early professional development
• Lessons learned from deployments and operational assignments
• How PME shaped her growth from tactical to strategic leadership
• Insights from teaching Warrant Officer courses
• Preparation of Warrant Officers for enterprise-level leadership
• What PME should preserve—and where it must evolve

🎙️ COHORT W Podcast – Featured Resources & Links

Stay connected with the Warrant Officer Cohort and elevate your professional development with these curated resources featured on the COHORT W podcast.

🔥 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 compelling episode of COHORT W, host CW4 Jessie Morlan sits down with CW4 Ronald Carrion, Adjutant General Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education–Follow On (WOILE-FO) Instructor, to explore the modernization of Professional Military Education through the lens of the Human Resources mission set.

With over 20 years of experience supporting warfighter readiness across Iraq, Afghanistan, AFRICOM, and beyond, CW4 Carrion brings a unique blend of operational depth and instructional expertise. As a leader shaping the future of HR Warrant Officers, he discusses the evolving role of the Adjutant General Corps, the critical skills needed for success in large-scale combat operations, and how PME must evolve to remain relevant and impactful.

🎯 Key topics include:

• The intersection of HR and warfighter readiness
• Adapting PME for a dynamic operational environment
• What future AG Warrant Officers need to lead effectively

Join us for an inside look at how one of the Army’s top HR instructors is shaping the next generation of leaders to meet the demands of tomorrow’s fight.

🎙️ COHORT W Podcast – Featured Resources & Links

Stay connected with the Warrant Officer Cohort and elevate your professional development with these curated resources featured on the COHORT W podcast.

🔥 Top Resources for Warrant Officers

📖 Strength in Knowledge Journal – Warrant Officer Journal
Explore current ideas, innovations, and discussions 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 and join the conversation.
🔗 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 in uniform.
🔗 Learn More

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

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

🎵 Podcast Credits

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

🎺 Ceremonial Music
Provided by The U.S. Army Band
🔗

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!

In this episode of COHORT W, host CW4 Jessie Morlan continues the conversation on the modernization of Warrant Officer Professional Military Education (PME) with a guest helping lead that transformation from the front lines of institutional training.

CW5 Stephen Napoli, Deputy Commandant of the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College, joins the show to share his unique perspective on evolving the education and development of Warrant Officers to meet the demands of tomorrow’s battlefield. From his start as an Aeroscout Observer in 1993 to his current role shaping PME for the entire cohort, CW5 Napoli brings operational insight, strategic vision, and decades of leadership experience.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

• How WO PME is aligning with the Army’s future operational concepts
• The importance of adaptability in Warrant Officer PME
• Lessons from CW5 Napoli’s career—from cockpit to classroom

Tune in for an in-depth conversation on preparing the next generation of Warrant Officers for success in a dynamic, multi-domain environment.

Meet The Harding Project!

https://www.hardingproject.com/p/welcome-to-the-harding-project

A helpful writing guide from CGSC:

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/home/Resources/CGSC-Professional-Writing-Guide.pdf

Army University Press:

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/

You can find more information about the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation at https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org

Please visit us on Instagram @WOHF1918, Twitter @WOHF1918, and the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation LinkedIn page.

Visit warrantofficerhistory.org to learn more about how you can help support the foundation and programs like this.

Stay current with Warrant Officer ideas! All current Strength in Knowledge Journal Issues are posted at https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Warrant-Officer-Journal/

To learn more information about Warrant Officers, visit USAWOCC: https://armyuniversity.edu/wocc/courses?p=Overview

Please also feel free to connect with the United States Army Warrant Officer Association at https://usawoa.org and visit their Facebook page @UnitedStatesArmyWarrantOfficerAssociation or the US Army Warrant Officer Career College @TheU.S.ArmyWarrantOfficerCareerCollege

Theme music (intro &  outro) composed by SFC(R) Joshua DiStefano. https://joshdistefano.com/

Ceremonial music provided by https://www.usarmyband.com/ceremonial-music-guide

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/
 
 Preserve and educate!

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!

In this episode of Cohort W, host CW4 Jessie Morlan continues the deep dive into the modernization of Warrant Officer Professional Military Education (PME), this time through the lens of Military Intelligence.

Joining the conversation is CW5 Peter Davis, the 9th Chief Warrant Officer of the Military Intelligence Corps and the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE). As the first-ever Signals Intelligence Technician to hold this position since its inception in 1999, CW5 Davis brings a fresh and critical perspective to shaping the future of MI Warrant Officers.

With the battlefield evolving and intelligence playing a pivotal role in future conflicts, how must PME adapt to keep Warrant Officers at the cutting edge? In this episode, CW5 Davis discusses the modernization of MI training, the skills Warrant Officers need to stay ahead, and the challenges of preparing the cohort for the complexities of tomorrow’s fight.

Tune in for a compelling conversation about leadership, intelligence, and the evolution of PME in the ever-changing operational landscape.

Listen now!

Meet The Harding Project!
https://www.hardingproject.com/p/welcome-to-the-harding-project

A helpful writing guide from CGSC:
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/home/Resources/CGSC-Professional-Writing-Guide.pdf

Army University Press:

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/

You can find more information about the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation at https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org

Please visit us on Instagram @WOHF1918, Twitter @WOHF1918, and on the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation LinkedIn page.

Visit warrantofficerhistory.org to learn more about how you can help support the foundation and programs like this.

Stay current with Warrant Officer ideas! All current Strength in Knowledge Journal Issues are posted at https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Warrant-Officer-Journal/

 To learn more information about Warrant Officers, visit USAWOCC: https://armyuniversity.edu/wocc/courses?p=Overview

Please also feel free to connect with the United States Army Warrant Officer Association at https://usawoa.org and visit their Facebook page @UnitedStatesArmyWarrantOfficerAssociation or the US Army Warrant Officer Career College @TheU.S.ArmyWarrantOfficerCareerCollege

Theme music (intro &  outtro) composed by SFC(R) Joshua DiStefano. https://joshdistefano.com/

Ceremonial music provided by https://www.usarmyband.com/ceremonial-music-guide

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!

In this episode of COHORT W, host CW4 Jessie Morlan sits down with CW5 Carlos Terrones, the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, to discuss tackling one of the most pressing issues in the Warrant Officer Cohort: the modernization of Warrant Officer Professional Military Education (PME).

With the battlefield evolving and technology advancing at an unprecedented pace, the Army is shifting toward Multi-Domain Operations. But how do Warrant Officers and institutions ensure that Warrant Officer PME is not only keeping up but also leading the way? CW5 Terrones brings decades of leadership and operational experience, from enlisting as a Light-Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic in 1993 to serving as a strategic advisor at one of the Army’s premier institutions for military education, to foster the required developments.

Join us for an insightful discussion on the future of Warrant Officer PME, the skills Warrant Officers need to thrive in a rapidly changing environment, and how the Army is preparing its technical experts to drive the future fight.

Quick-Fire Observation Tool:   

https://www.army.mil/article/273050/quick_fire_observations_rapidly_resolving_issues_and_informing_the_force

 Meet The Harding Project!

https://www.hardingproject.com/p/welcome-to-the-harding-project

 A helpful writing guide from CGSC:

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/home/Resources/CGSC-Professional-Writing-Guide.pdf

 Army University Press:

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/

You can find more information about the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation at https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org

Please visit us on Instagram @WOHF1918, Twitter @WOHF1918, and on the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation LinkedIn page.

Visit warrantofficerhistory.org to learn more about how you can help support the foundation and programs like this. 

Stay current with Warrant Officer ideas! All current Strength in Knowledge Journal Issues are posted at https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Warrant-Officer-Journal/

To learn more information about Warrant Officers, visit USAWOCC: https://armyuniversity.edu/wocc/courses?p=Overview

Please also feel free to connect with the United States Army Warrant Officer Association at https://usawoa.org and visit their Facebook page @UnitedStatesArmyWarrantOfficerAssociation or the US Army Warrant Officer Career College @TheU.S.ArmyWarrantOfficerCareerCollege

Theme music (intro & outro) composed by SFC(R) Joshua DiStefano. https://joshdistefano.com/

Ceremonial music provided by https://www.usarmyband.com/ceremonial-music-guide

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!

Welcome to Season 4 of COHORT W, the podcast exploring the Warrant Officer Cohort—past, present, and future. Host CW4 Jessie Morlan kicks off the new season with a familiar voice: CW3 Suzanne Albert.

As the FY23-24 Warrant Officer Historical Foundation Fellow, former COHORT W host, and current Department Head of Strategy and Doctrine at the U.S. Warrant Officer Career College, CW3 Albert has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of warrant officers. In this episode, she shares insights from her time behind the mic in Season 3, discusses the evolution of professional military education (PME), and offers her vision for preparing the cohort for the future fight.

Join us as CW3 Albert reflects on lessons learned from past guests, the surprises she encountered along the way, and the challenges ahead for Warrant Officer development. Don’t miss this engaging discussion on leadership, innovation, and the future modernization of Warrant Officer PME.

Meet The Harding Project!

https://www.hardingproject.com/p/welcome-to-the-harding-project

A helpful writing guide from CGSC:

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/home/Resources/CGSC-Professional-Writing-Guide.pdf

Army University Press:

https://www.armyupress.army.mil/

You can find more information about the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation at https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org

Please visit us on Instagram @WOHF1918, Twitter @WOHF1918, and on the Warrant Officer Historical Foundation LinkedIn page.

Visit warrantofficerhistory.org to learn more about how you can help support the foundation and programs like this.

Stay current with Warrant Officer ideas! All current Strength in Knowledge Journal Issues are posted at https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Warrant-Officer-Journal/

To learn more information about Warrant Officers, visit USAWOCC: https://armyuniversity.edu/wocc/courses?p=Overview

Please also feel free to connect with the United States Army Warrant Officer Association at https://usawoa.org and visit their Facebook page @UnitedStatesArmyWarrantOfficerAssociation or the US Army Warrant Officer Career College @TheU.S.ArmyWarrantOfficerCareerCollege

Theme music (intro &  outtro) composed by SFC(R) Joshua DiStefano. https://joshdistefano.com/

Ceremonial music provided by https://www.usarmyband.com/ceremonial-music-guide

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!

https://www.warrantofficerhistory.org/

Preserve and educate!