Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4) Heath Welch:

CW4 Welch was raised in Beebe, Arkansas and graduated from Beebe High School in 1985. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Education from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resources Development from Webster University.
CW4 Welch’s outstanding military career began in May 1984 when he enlisted under the delayed entry program in the 820th Signal Company, U.S. Army Reserves, Camp Pike, North Little Rock, Arkansas. He completed Basic Training in August 1984, and later transferred to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard. After completing high school, he completed his Advanced Individual Training where he acquired the Military Occupational Skill (MOS) 76C10, Equipment Parts Specialist.
From 1985 to 1992, CW4 Welch served as a Prescribed Load List (PLL) Clerk. His duties consisted of maintaining records of services performed, ordering, and managing repair parts, dispatching parts, and equipment. In 1987, he transferred to the 936th Air Traffic Control (ATC) unit as a (76V), Material Storage and Handling Specialist.

In August 1993, CW4 Welch was hired into the Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) Program as a (68W) Medical Logistic Specialist and assigned to the 204th Dental Detachment, Arkansas Army National Guard. He was later reassigned to Detachment 4, STARC (-), Camp Robinson, Arkansas as the (68J) Medical Logistic Specialist. In 1997, he was assigned to STARC (-), Camp Robinson, Arkansas, where he served as the (92A), Unit Supply Specialist. While assigned to STARC (-), CW4 Welch entered the Warrant Officer Candidate School Program. Upon completion of the Warrant Officer Candidate School Program on November 2000, CW4 Welch accepted his commission as a Warrant Officer One and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 39th Support Battalion in Hazen, Arkansas as the Property Accounting Technician (920A). While deployed with the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (2004-2005), CW4 Welch served as the 39th Infantry Brigade’s Property Book Officer. He was the first African American to serve as the Property Book Officer in the history of the 39th Infantry Brigade.

In 2009, CW4 Welch was reassigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 77th Combat Aviation Brigade, Camp Robinson, Arkansas. He was assigned as the Property Accounting Technician (920A) and served as the Property Book Officer. CW4 Welch was the first African American to serve as Property Book Officer in the history of the 77th Combat Aviation Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard. He deployed with the 77th Combat Aviation Brigade in support of Operation New Dawn in 2011.

CW4 Welch’s military education consist of U.S. Army Basic Training, Fort Dix, New Jersey, Advanced Individual Training, Fort Lee, Virginia, Primary Leadership Development Course, Camp Ball, Louisiana, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Fort Lee, Virginia, Warrant Officer Candidate School, Fort Rucker, Alabama, Warrant Officer Basic Course, Fort Lee, Virginia, Warrant Officer Advanced Course, Fort Lee, Virginia and the Warrant Officer Staff Course, Fort Rucker, Alabama.

For his distinguished military service, CW4 Welch has received the following awards and commendations to include the Iraq Campaign Medal w/2 Campaign Stars, Bronz Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, 2nd Award, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal 2nd Award, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal 4th Award, National Defense Service Medal w/Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorsm Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon 2nd Award, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/M-Device, Armed Forces Medal 2nd Award, Army National Guard Recruiter Badge, Combat Action Badge, Physical Fitness Excellence Badge, Arkansas Federal Service Ribbon, Arkansas Service Ribbon and the Arkansas Emergency Service Ribbon.

CW4 Welch retired from the Arkansas Army National Guard in May 2014, with over 30 years of dedicated service to this great Country and the State of Arkansas. He currently serves as a mentor with the Little Rock Public School District Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) Program. Additionally, he is a member of the Arkansas Officials Association of which he serves as a basketball official. He is a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Life Member of the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), Life Member of the National Guard Association of Arkansas, (NGAA), Life Member Porsche Club of America and a member of Prince Hall Mason of Arkansas. He also enjoys traveling and spending time with his grandchildren. CW4 Welch currently resides in Little Rock, Arkansas.