First SWCC Warrant Officer Commissioned

By Journalist 1st Class (SW/AW) Sonya Ansarov, Naval Special Warfare Command Public Affairs

CORONADO, Calif. (NNS) -- Chief Warrant Officer (CWO2) David L. Wylie III, Special Boat Team (SBT) 12 in Coronado, Calif., was commissioned as the first Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman (SWCC) warrant officer Oct.1, at a ceremony held aboard Naval Amphibious Base.

Wylie, who was a chief boatswain's mate (SWCC/SW), is the first of four SWCC chiefs selected to the rank of warrant officer. The other three SWCC warrant officers will be commissioned later this year and early next year.

"The warrant officer program is a giant step for the SWCC community," said Cmdr. Steve Nelson, commanding officer, SBT-12. "This program was designed to fill the 'expertise' billet. Warrants are the technical experts, the masters. I cannot think of a better person to fill this
billet. Chief Wylie's successful career proves he's the right man for this job, and I'm extremely proud he's the first warrant for our community."

Warrant officers have been around since the inception of the Navy. They were listed as sailing masters, pursers (a ship's officer charged with keeping accounts), boatswains, gunners, carpenters, sail makers and midshipmen. Over the years, the warrant officer rank evolved as the technical experts within their particular field. Today, warrant officers provide the Navy with an invaluable form of leadership, as an officer who has the expertise and authority to direct the most exacting technical operations in a given occupational field.

After Wylie's chief anchors were removed, the commanding officer read the Officer's Oath, and then Wylie's wife and daughter attached the warrant officer shoulder boards on his uniform - designating him as Chief Warrant Officer Wylie.

"The warrant officer program is important for our community," said Wylie. "We now have our own SWCC officers as the special boat detachments officers in charge. This is a very important role for the SWCC community, and I feel I am the right person for the job.

Wylie has been a SWCC for 15 years, and he's been the assistant officer-in-charge (AOIC) of two MK-V detachments, most recently, in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.

"I know the significance and importance of this job, and I'm ready for the responsibility," Wylie said. "I'm just honored to be selected to wear this uniform, and I'm especially honored to be the first SWCC warrant officer.This is the future for our community."

After LDO/CWO (Limited Duty Officer/Chief Warrant Officer) indoctrination in Pensacola, Fla., Wylie will report as the MK-V Officer-in-Charge at Special Boat Team 20.

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