Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) Gregory Settles:

CW4 Settles was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from South Philadelphia High School in June 1967. CW4 Settles attended UALR and the Arkansas College of Technology to study electronics and received an Associate Degree.

CW4 Settles military career started September 23, 1969, when he joined the United States Air Force. In the Air Force, he served as a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Specialist where he received the Missile (ICBM) Master Technician Award.

In March 1978, CW4 Settles joined the Arkansas Army National Guard and was assigned to Training Site Unit, Camp J.T. Robinson, as a Utilities Repair Mechanic. He was later hired into the full-time workforce as an Electronic Mechanic for the 212th Signal Battalion at OMS-6. He later worked as a supervisor at CSMS Electronics Shop and as a database administrator at the United States Property and Fiscal Office (USPFO). CW4 Settles retired with 35 years of Federal Technician Service in 2004.

After retiring from the Federal Technician Program, he joined the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program in Aug 2004 as the Network Management Technician/COMSEC Custodian for HHC 212th Signal Battalion. In June 2006, CW4 Settles was transferred to Company C, 39th BSTB, Pine Bluff, Arkansas as Unit Administrator. Once the 39th Infantry Brigade Headquarters discovered that they had a highly qualified COMSEC Warrant Officer working for the newly formed Signal Company, CW4 Settles was invited to be part of the 39th Infantry Brigade’s Staff.

CW4 Settles served 8 years as the Tactical Network Technician and COMSEC Custodian for the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas Army National Guard. During his Deployment to Iraq in 2009, at Victory Base Camp, Iraq, he was instrumental in establishing the Brigade’s COMSEC Account at the Base Defense Operation Center.

In March 1985, CW4 Settles was assigned as the first African American First Sergeant for D Company, 212th Signal Battalion, Arkansas Army National Guard. He was the first African American to be assigned as First Sergeant in the 212th Signal Battalion. In April 1988, CW4 Settles was selected as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major for 212th Signal Battalion, Arkansas Army National Guard. He was the first African American to serve as Command Sergeant Major in the 212th Signal Battalion.

CW4 Settles was appointed as a Warrant Officer on October 2, 1992, for Headquarters and Headquarters Company 212th Signal Battalion. CW4 Settles also served as the Electronic-Communication Inspector for the Command Evaluation Team, State Maintenance Office, and Joint Forces Headquarters.

CW4 Settles is past President and the first African American to serve as President of the Arkansas National Guard Noncommissioned Officer Association 1989-1990. He also served a member of the Moral, Welfare and Recreation Board (Canteen Board) and the Arkansas National Guard Museum. CW4 Settles served as President of the Arkansas National Guard Black Heritage Committee at Camp J.T. Robinson.

CW4 Settles military awards includes the Meritorious Service Medal (2), Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (7), Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Overseas Ribbon, Arkansas Service Ribbon (5), Army Achievement Medal (4), National Defense Service Medal (2), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (4), Army Reserve Component Overseas Medal, Arkansas Emergency Service Ribbon, Air Force Good Conduct Medal (2), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2), Army Service Ribbon (3), Arkansas Federal Service Ribbon, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Legion Of Merit. CW4 Settles retired on August 17, 2011, with 42 years of Military Service.

CW4 Settles has been serving the McAlmont Church of Christ since 1982 as Deacon, which he oversees Church Worship Services, Computer Networks, Digital Photography, Multimedia Consultant and Web-site Design. He also works with School of Religious Studies, Annual Capital Awards Program to recognizing Military Veterans for their Service to our Country. CW4 Settles was instrumental in establishing the Hero’s Award to Honor all Branches of the Country’s Military.

CW4 Settles’ Values and Philosophy of Life is to Love God, Family, Country and to Do the Right Thing to and for all people.