Remaining Relevant on the Ever-Changing Battlefield

By WO1 Marianna Feliciano

June 1, 2026 | Warrant Officer Journal, 2026 E-Edition

Read Time: < 4 mins

CW5 Yolondria Dixon-Carter (ret.), a renowned member of the United States Army, exemplified the Army values and demonstrated what an Army leader looked like. Her career culminated in her appointment as the Chief Warrant Officer of the Army, previously known as the Senior Warrant Officer Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army. She was only the third Warrant Officer to hold the position and the first female. Throughout her career, she demonstrated a top-tier presence, fostering calm, positive work environments. Her mission statement was “people first,” and she constantly put it into action. She cared about her Soldiers and worked to build trust and mutual respect within her team, which led to the efficient accomplishment of the mission. Her passion for those around her was evident in her presence, her drive to develop those coming after her, and her genuine stewardship of the profession. She retired after 36 years of service, leaving her great mark on the Warrant Officer cohort.

Wanting to best provide for her daughter, CW5 Dixon-Carter (ret.) enlisted in the Army in 1989 as a 79E Personnel Actions Specialist. After participating in Operation Just Cause, she knew she wanted to stay in the Army. Her original plan to become a Drill Sergeant changed after interacting with some Warrant Officers and observing how they operated. She adjusted the fire, and in 2002, she submitted her packet and was selected to join the cohort. She served on two deployments as a Warrant Officer with the 3rd Infantry Division and was said to be fearless under fire (Sheftick, 2020). Throughout her career, she was known for taking care of people and being the calming presence in the room. ADP 1 states that presence is more than just being physically present; it is having confidence and the ability to maintain composure while maintaining steady emotional control. (Department of the Army, 2019b). CW5 Dixon-Carter (ret.) demonstrated this on multiple occasions. While others were moving a mile a minute, she remained calm amid the chaos and gave advice and direction to restore order. Giving off those “Chief knows” vibes and rising to the occasion. Her presence was unmatched, especially during COVID-19. She cared about people. Continually showing up, even when it could not be in person. Checking in on her Soldiers and their families and ensuring they were taken care of during the difficult time.

She continued to develop those around her by organizing weekly discussions for the Warrant Officers in her brigade while deployed to Baghdad, to discuss current situations and provide advice to the commander. (Sheftick, 2020). While appointed as the Chief Warrant Officer of the Army, she headed up the Army Senior Warrant Officer Council (ARWOC), continuing to give back to the cohort by advising leadership on policy, training, recruitment, and management of the Warrant Officer cohort. In an article by CW5 Napoli, published in the Warrant Officer Journal, he speaks about his “CARE” model for success. Breaking it down into Credible, Approachable, and Relevant every day. (Napoli, 2024). CW5 Dixon-Carter (ret.) illustrated this daily, striving to ensure the Warrant Officer Professional Military Education (PME) was up to date and relevant. In her article “Senior Leader Corner,” published in the 2023 Warrant Officer Journal, she discussed the need to modernize and revolutionize Army Warrant Officer education. She states, “The world is changing. The Army is changing with it and within the Army so must the Warrant Officer Cohort.” (Dixon-Carter, 2023) Her understanding of how the cohort fits into the big picture and her ability to ensure that it is on par with the rest of the Army are unparalleled.

Throughout her 36-year career, CW5 Dixon-Carter (ret.) was a steward to the profession. According to ADP 6-22, “Leaders demonstrate stewardship when they act to improve the organization beyond their own tenure.” (Department of the Army, 2019a). She demonstrated this in everything she did, from how she interacted with her colleagues to the key role she took in revamping the Warrant Officer PME. She consistently led and developed others to improve the cohort. She highlighted the need for Warrant Officers, regardless of their background, to provide analysis and critical thinking to achieve optimal outcomes, and to explain what happened and how. (Dixon-Carter, 2023). CW5 Dixon-Carter (ret.) shone a light on broadening assignments, providing Warrant Officers with unique opportunities to grow their career. She oversaw the Chief Warrant Officer of the Army (CWA) Charter, which officially established the highest-ranking Warrant Officer in the Army—solidifying the cohort’s position of trust to advise the Chief of Staff on all matters related to Warrant Officers across the Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve components. CW5 Dixon-Carter maintained an open line of communication with the cohort. When she took the Chief Warrant Officer of the Army position, she stated, “I may have the title, but we, the cohort, hold the position.” (Sheftick, 2020). This spoke volumes about her dedication to stewarding the profession and improving the organization.

CW5 Dixon-Carter (ret.) displayed a strong presence, a desire to develop, and a devotion to stewarding the profession. Her actions speak louder than words and reveal her strong desire to mentor and develop those around her. CW5 Dixon-Carter (ret.) embodies all the characteristics of a Warrant Officer, integrating new and updated training to ensure that the future Warrant Officers are more prepared and ready for the ever-changing battlefield. She provided clear and concise communication to effectively improve the Warrant Officer cohort for generations she would never meet, ensuring the cohort’s voice was heard at the highest level. CW5 Dixon-Carter (ret.) motivated those around her to show up every day while providing the purpose, motivation, and direction needed to accomplish the mission. She fostered positive work environments and a people-first culture. CW5 Dixon-Carter (ret.) remained a calm, cool, and collected leader, consistently providing an excellent example for all Warrant Officers who came after her.

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