FRANKFORT Ky. - In January 1944, the appointment of women as warrant officers was authorized and the first women were appointed in March 1944. At the conclusion of World War II, 42 female warrant officers were on active duty.
Today, the Army has roughly 2,000 female warrant officers in its ranks.
Chief Warrant Officer Stephanie Allen, military personnel technician with the 138th Fires Brigade stationed in Lexington Ky. is one of many female warrant officers serving in the Kentucky National Guard.
As an MP technician and qualified Army instructor, Allen is in charge of human resource services, personnel support, financial services, chaplain activities, medical services and legal services support.
The 15-year Guard veteran also manages the functions that support the Army's personnel management systems by monitoring the input of data into automated and manual systems along with many other other duties.
With the vast amount of responsibilities appointed to Allen as a warrant officer, she has had the opportunity to make a huge impact in Soldier's lives within the past year.
"This year gave me the opportunity to make a positive difference for our Soldiers," Allen said. "Additionally, I gained invaluable hands-on experience tracking medical and administrative deployment requirements." This opportunity allowed me to work diligently to increase the readiness within the brigade."
Allen has previously worked as a heavy mobile equipment transporter and as a human resource specialist, but thanks to one of her supervisors, she made the switch to warrant officer.
"My senior leadership at the Human Resource Office who trained, mentored, and encouraged me suggested I could make a greater impact to the organization as a warrant officer," said Allen who became a warrant officer in 2009. "I enjoy what I do for the National Guard; becoming a warrant officer has been one of the best decisions I've made."
Even though she remains busy with work, in her spare time Allen enjoys spending time with her two boys, Kaden and Zain.
"I am active in my church assisting with children's programs and women's ministry," said Allen, "My children are active in the community. They play baseball and soccer and I spend a lot of time attending their sporting events."
Allen looks toward the future and hopes to work full time for the brigade and eventually work her way up to supporting and assisting all commands in the state.
"My future is very bright," said Allen, "I am an integral part of a dynamic organization and I look forward to doing this for a long time."