Tackett named Command Chief Warrant Officer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ricky L. Tackett, of Ashland City, took the reins as the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the Tennessee Army National Guard today during a change of responsibility ceremony in the Hall of Flags, at the Guard’s Headquarters in Nashville.  Maj. Gen. Terry M. “Max” Haston, Tennessee’s Adjutant General, conducted the ceremony in the presence of family and friends making Tackett only the fifth person in Tennessee Guard history to hold this key position.

“There were many highly qualified candidates up for consideration, but I believe Ricky is the right man at the right time for the job”, said Haston, “and I look forward to the future impact he will make on all our Soldiers, not just warrant officers.”  

As CCWO, he serves as the principal warrant officer advisor to the Adjutant General and Assistant Adjutant General-Army, responsible for the supervision, training, and well-being of all Tennessee Army National Guard warrant officers.  Tackett has been on the job since April 7, but due to scheduling conflicts, the ceremony was pushed back.  Prior to his appointment, he served as the detailed inspector general for the Tennessee Army National Guard.

In 1984, Tackett enlisted in the Army and served as a combat engineer until his acceptance into the warrant officer flight program in 1986.  Upon earning his wings, he was assigned as a UH-1 Huey pilot with the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky., where he deployed to El Salvador.  His second deployment was in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm as CH-47 Chinook pilot-in-command. 

Tackett is a Master Army Aviator, having flown nearly every helicopter in the Army’s inventory.  His qualifications include instructor pilot, instrument flight examiner and both, a safety and accident investigation officer just to name a few.  As a Tennessee Army National Guardsman, he deployed a third time in 2009-10 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he served as a UH-60 Blackhawk pilot-in-command.

Tackett replaces Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert V. (“R.V.”) Davis, who has held the post since December of 2011.  Davis, an east Tennessee native, retires next month having held numerous positions of increased responsibility throughout his more than 37 years of distinguished service in uniform.

(L to R) Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ricky L. Tackett, the incoming Command Chief Warrant Officer, Tennessee Army National Guard, alongside outgoing CCWO, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert V. (“R.V.”) Davis during a change of responsibility ceremony in the Hall of Flags at Guard Headquarters on May 12, 2017.