Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jacqueline O'Keefe, a Berne resident, becomes NY National Guard Command Chief Warrant Officer
Latham, NY (02/28/2018) — Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jacqueline "Jackie" O'Keefe, a Berne resident, became the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the New York Army National Guard during a ceremony at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs here on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
As Command Chief Warrant Officer, O'Keefe is responsible for implementing the New York Army National Guard's Warrant Officer Program. Warrant Officers are technical experts who fall between sergeants and commissioned officers in the Army's command structure.
She will report to Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York.
O'Keefe is replacing Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jeffery Schirmer, a Rochester resident, who is retiring after 36 years in the Army.
In his remarks German thanked Schirmer for his service and said he was looking forward to working with O'Keefe.
"I am proud, grateful and honored beyond words to be here today," O'Keefe said. "I'm looking forward to what the future will bring."
Warrant officers, O'Keefe told her listeners, are charged by the Army with fixing problems, not making problems. She looks forward to keeping that tradition going, she said.
During the short ceremony a sword was transferred from Schirmer, the warrant officer leaving the position, to German. He then handed the sword to O'Keefe, symbolizing her assumption of the duties.
The officer's sword has traditionally been the mark of a leader.
The sword used in the Feb. 28 ceremony was the one issued to O'Keefe's son, Army 1st Lt. Bradley O'Keefe, when he was a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
O'Keefe has served in the Army National Guard since 1983 when she enlisted as a personnel specialist. She advanced to the rank of Sgt. 1st Class and entered the Warrant Officer Corps in 1995.
She's served in a number of New York Army National Guard units to include the 27th Rear Area Operations Center, the 53rd Troop Command, the 42nd Infantry Division, and Joint Force Headquarters. She has served as Officer Personnel Management Branch Chief, Active Guard and Reserve Branch Chief, and Warrant Officer Strength Manager.
O'Keefe is a graduate of the Warrant Officer Senior Service Education Course, the Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education Course, and the Adjutant General Warrant Officer Basic and Advanced Courses.
She is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University.
Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and National Defense Medal with one Bronze Star, Armed Forced Reserved Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and National Guard Recruiter Badge.
O'Keefe resides in Berne, N.Y. with her husband Brian, a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve.
She has three sons: Master Sgt. Brian O'Keefe Jr., who serves in the Army's Special Operations Command; 1st Lt. Bradley O'Keefe, who serves in the 101st Air Assault Division; and Cpl. Brenden O'Keefe, who is assigned to the New York National Guard's 173rd Cyber Protection Team.
Her daughter Brooke attends Greenville Central High School.
Media Attachments
Air Force Major General Anthony German (left) the Adjutant General of New York, congratulates Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jacquelin "Jackie" O'Keefe on becoming the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the New York Army National Guard during a ceremony at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham,N. Y. on Wednesday, Feb. 28. ( Division of Military and Naval Affairs photo by William Albrecht)
Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jacqueline "Jackie" O'Keefe accepts a ceremonial saber from Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York, during a ceremony at which she was recognized as the Command Chief Warrant Officer of the New York National Guard on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs headquarters in Latham, N.Y. O'Keefe replaces Chief Command Warrant Officer Jeffery Schirmer (left) in the job.( Division of Military and Naval Affairs photo by William Albrecht)
New York National Guard
Col. Richard Goldenberg, 518-786-4581Share this Story
Recent News
- West Valley resident, promoted to one-star general during August 15th ceremony at NY National Guard Buffalo Connecticut Street Armory
- East Amherst man named top New York Naval Militia member for 2026
- Thiells resident Col. Steven Perry takes command of training unit at Camp Smith Training Site.
- New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs Annual Report is now available for download as a digital document
- Mechanicville resident Lynette Tangredi becomes top enlisted leader for New York Air National Guard
- New exhibits at New York State Military Museum employ augmented reality to tell the story of the 1777 Battle of Saratoga.
- Major Devin Will, a Remsen resident, takes command of New York Air Guard's 224th Security Forces Squadron at the Eastern Air Defense Sector
- 109th Airlift Wing volunteers restore iconic LC-130 gate guard, preserving the wing's history.
- Correction: Two New York Air National Guard Wings will participate in July 4 International Aerial Review over the Hudson River
- Staten Island resident Carlos Perez promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 4 in New York Army National Guard