Chief Warrant Officer Five (CW5) Kenneth D. Brown:
CW5 Brown began his military career on May 5, 1979, after graduating from East End Bigelow High School. He enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard split option program, and performed his basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and his Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri the following years. His unit assignments were with the 439th Signal Company, Delta Company, 212th Signal Company, Bravo 39th Support Company, HHC 212th Signal Company, Golf Company 39th BSB, Alpha Battery 1/206th Field Artillery and Joint Force Headquarter.
His Warrant Officer Military positions and occupations held are, State Command Chief Warrant Officer (currently), Alpha Battery 1/206th Executive Officer, Battalion Maintenance Officer, Unit Maintenance Officer, Command Maintenance Evaluation Team (COMET) Chief and member, Battalion Special Staff Officer, Senior Maintenance Officer, Engineer Warrant Officer. Chief Brown’s enlisted positions held are, Platoon Sergeant, Network Operator, Senior Generator Repair, and Heavy Equipment Repairer Supervisor. He holds five Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) 91B (63B), 52X, 31F, 915A, and 915E.
He was hired as a Military Technician in September 1984, and worked as a Mechanic, Automotive Mechanic Supervisor, Heavy Equipment Repairer Supervisor, Surface Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor, and Surface Maintenance Specialist Supervisor. On December 3, 2018, the Adjutant General of Arkansas selected CW5 Brown as the State Command Chief Warrant Officer for the Arkansas Army National Guard. CW5 Kenneth Brown is the first African American in the history of the Arkansas Army National Guard to hold that position.
His military schools are Primary Leadership Development School, Basic Non-Commission Officer School, Advance Non-Commission Officer School, Warrant Officer Candidate School, Warrant Officer Basic Course, Warrant Officer Advance Course, Warrant Officer Staff Course, Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course, Instructor Training Course, Master Fitness Course, and a Knowledge Management Course. He has numerous college hours toward a Homeland Security Bachelor’s Degree, an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Vincennes University.
Chief Brown’s awards received are Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Force Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Ribbon, and numerous State Ribbon and Awards.
CW5 Brown retired from the Arkansas National Guard in 2023.