Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) Celquetta Babb-Pride:

CW4 Pride was born in Malvern, Arkansas. She graduated from Mountain Pine High School in 1979. CW4 Pride received an Associate Degree of Science from Vincennes University and a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Ministry from Central Baptist College.

CW4 Pride military career started in the United States Army on July 2, 1979. She completed Basic Combat Training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. She received her Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort. Lee, Virginia, where she acquired the Military Occupational Skill of 76C10, Equipment Records and Parts Specialist. Her first assignment was with the 227th Aviation Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas. She was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in July 1982.

In September 1982, CW4 Pride enlisted into the Arkansas Army National Guard and was assigned to several units, the 212th Signal Battalion, Detachment 1, Company B, 935th Aviation Support Battalion, and Company C, 38th Aviation Battalion. Her duty assignments consisted of Equipment Records and Parts Specialist (76C), Automated Logistical Specialist and Unit Supply Clerk (92Y30).

In April 1984, CW4 Pride was hired into the Full-Time Federal Technician Program at the Arkansas Army National Guard Combined Support Maintenance Shop (CSMS), Camp J.T. Robinson. During her tenure at CSMS, she worked in various positions such as a Surface Maintenance Dispatcher (GS-4), Supply Clerk (GS-6), Tools and Parts Attendant Supervisor (WG-4) and as a Senior Production Controller (GS-8). The highest position that CW4 Pride obtained in the Federal Technician Program was the GS-9, Equipment Specialist position in Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistic (DCSLOG), Camp J.T. Robinson, North Little Rock, Arkansas. CW4 Pride was the first female Supervisor assigned to the Arkansas Army National Guard Combined Support Maintenance Shop and the first female to serve as an Equipment Specialist for DCSLOG.

On August 28, 2002, CW4 Pride received her commission as a Warrant Officer and her duty assignment was with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 233rd Regiment Regional Training Institute at Camp J.T. Robinson as the Property Book Officer. CW4 Pride was the first African American Female assigned to the Property Book Officer’s position. Subsequent to the Property Book position, CW4 Pride retired from the Federal Technician Program with 20 years of Federal Service.

In May 2004, CW4 Pride was hired into the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program as a Property Book Officer (PBO) for HHC, 212th Signal Battalion, Arkansas Army National Guard. In 2006, she was assigned to the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team as the Brigade’s Property Book Officer. CW4 Pride was the first African American Female to serve as the Property Book Officer for the 39th IBCT. The 39th IBCT is the largest Brigade in the Arkansas Army National Guard with approximately 4,000 soldiers assigned.

In 2009, CW4 Pride served as Property Book Officer for the 777th Aviation Support Battalion, Camp Robinson, Arkansas. In August 2013, she was assigned to Joint Force Headquarter-Arkansas, DSLOG, Camp Robinson, Arkansas. Upon Brigade’s request, in August 2016, CW4 Pride was assigned to the 77th Aviation Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard to serve as Property Book Officer. After completing her assignment with the 77th Aviation Brigade, CW4 Pride was reassigned to Joint Force Headquarter in 2019.

CW4 Pride’s military education includes 76C, Equipment Records and Parts Specialist, AIT, National Guard Battle Skills Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Warrant Officer Candidate Course, Warrant Officer Basic Course, Warrant Officer Advanced Course, Warrant Officer Staff Course, Property Accounting Technician Warrant Officer Advance Course, Material Control/Accounting Specialist Course, Standard Property Book System Course, Basic Property Accounting/PBUSE GGSS-Army Property Book Course, Supply Manager Course, Unit Supply Specialist Basic Technical Course, Unit Supply Enhancing Course, Surface Maintenance Management Support Course, SAMS-1 Course, OMS/UTES Supply Technician Course, Supervisory Personnel Management Office Course, Supervisor Personnel Management Office Supervisor Training Course, and the Food Operations Management Course.

CW4 Pride’s military awards and citations include the Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (8th Award), National Defense Service Medal w/ Bronze Service Star, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2nd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Army Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (3rd Award), Department of the Army Certificate Of Achievement, Certificate of Achievement, United States Army Quartermaster School Noncommissioned Officer Academy, 1st Cavalry Division Certificate Of Achievement, Letter of Commendation’s (3), and Letter of Appreciation (2).

CW4 Pride served as past board member for National Guard Association of Arkansas (NGAA), and she volunteers to read for Literacy Program at local schools. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her daughter and other family members. She is currently active in her church and serves as Treasurer for Grace National Apostolic Fellowship and Assembly of Churches.

CW4 Pride is very thankful to all the Pioneers that came before her and everyone that believed in her. She’s most of all grateful to God. CW4 Celquetta Pride retired in August 2019 after over 40 years of distinguished military service.