FORT PICKETT, Va. –
Four Soldiers graduated from the Virginia Army National Guard’s Warrant Officer Candidate School and were appointed as warrant officers March 8, 2026, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The graduates entered the Old Dominion Cohort after completing a rigorous program that tested their technical expertise and leadership. On average, the candidates had 12 years of service, an overall academic average of 91% and represented three branches.
The graduates began their WOCS experience in October 2025, with a two-week annual training phase, followed by monthly drill weekends from November to March. Throughout the course, candidates completed written exams, overcame physical challenges, navigated the leader reaction course and delivered oral briefs to refine their communication skills.
“You’ve survived the challenges of WOCS, proven your leadership and stepped into one of the most respected roles in the military,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Douglas L. Harris, command chief warrant officer for the Virginia Army National Guard, during his remarks. “Today, and every day forward, you are a warrant officer.”
Rounding out the official party alongside Harris were Lt. Col. Cari Kelso, commander of 3rd Battalion,183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute, which includes WOCS; and Col. Beau Mason, director of manpower and personnel for the Virginia National Guard, who served as the guest speaker for the event.
“In a world full of generalists, warrant officers are the specialists,” Mason said. “You’re becoming the technical backbone of the force. You’ll advise commanders. You’ll mentor Soldiers and solve problems that don’t appear in manuals. People will come to you, not because of your rank alone, but because of your expertise and judgment.”
Following Mason’s remarks, the four officer candidates stepped forward and, as Kelso administered the oath of office, raised their right hands and swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Virginia. They were then pinned with their new rank by family members and friends and received their first salute from an enlisted service member.
The graduating class of the Virginia Army National Guard’s Warrant Officer Candidate School Class 26-001 is as follows:
- Warrant Officer 1 Jonathan S. Bacon is a 131A Field Artillery Targeting Technician Warrant Officer assigned to the Bowling Green-based 29th Division Artillery, 29th Infantry Division.
- Warrant Officer 1 Adam J. Marcus is a 255A Data Operations Warrant Officer assigned to the Bowling Green-based 29th Division Artillery, 29th Infantry Division. Marcus achieved the highest overall average for academic and physical requirements and was selected by his peers to receive the leadership award.
- Warrant Officer 1 Jae H. Park is a 170A Cyber Warfare Technician Warrant Officer assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 91st Cyber Brigade.
- Warrant Officer 1 Zachary J. Thompson is a 170A Cyber Warfare Technician Warrant Officer assigned to the Fort Belvoir-based 91st Cyber Brigade.
“We live in a quiet place where things work because of our expertise and may fail if we fall short. The mission succeeds silently on our watch, but any gap in knowledge or judgement draws every eye,” Harris said. “Embrace that pressure, for it defines your new role as a quiet professional.”
Warrant officers serve as subject matter experts and advisors to commanders. While prerequisites vary by career field, candidates must typically meet time-in-service and time-in-grade requirements as noncommissioned officers. In Virginia, Soldiers must also attend a Pre-WOCS drill weekend to prepare for the course.
View the Warrant Officer Feeder MOS List here, or click to learn more about Warrant Officer Candidate School.