Illinois National Guard Soldier David Miller, Jr., of Springfield, donned new chief warrant officer four rank during a promotion ceremony April 7 at the Illinois State Military Museum in Springfield, Illinois.
Miller, the officer in charge of the Automation and Automated Records Branch (AARB) in the Personnel Directorate, enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in March 2004 as an intelligence analyst, serving in Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 232nd Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion, based in Springfield. He entered the Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) program in June 2005 as a personnel records clerk in the Personnel Services branch. In November 2009, Miller was appointed as an AGR warrant officer where he was selected to be the officer in charge of the newly created boards branch in the Personnel Directorate.
“You are mild mannered like Clark Kent,” said Col. Ronald Bonesz, Director of Military Personnel, Illinois Army National Guard. “You are indeed Superman.”
Bonesz told the audience he first met Miller when he came in as the Deputy Director of Personnel.
“I was being introduced to all the different branches in the G-1, most were self-explanatory, but then I get brought up to the second floor to the AARB and my thought was what is that? What do they do? It’s the 21st century, isn’t everything automated,” Bonesz said. “Of course, the answer is no.”
Bonesz said since first meeting Miller, he has a better understanding of the AARB.
“Fast forward to today, I understand what you do. I understand what your team does,” he said. “They are a vital aspect of what we do for our Soldiers and the Illinois Army National Guard. You have been an advisor to me. You are a subject matter expert in everything you do and you make me look sharp.”
Bonesz thanked Miller’s family for their support.
“Thank you for your support of Chief Miller. I have no doubt he’s a fantastic father and loving husband,” Bonesz said. “Thank you for sharing in this special moment.”
Miller told those attending the ceremony, when he enlisted he didn’t know what he wanted to do.
“When I enlisted I didn’t know what I wanted to do in the Illinois National Guard,” he said. “I didn’t know much about the military and sure didn’t know what a warrant officer was.”
Miller said he jumped at the opportunity to work in the personnel office where he met a few warrant officers.
“I got to work with a few warrant officers and when I saw what a warrant officer could be, I knew that’s what I wanted to do, what I wanted to be,” he said. “They helped me get here today and I hope that I can do them proud.
Miller also thanked his wife, Teresa, son Alex and daughter Elizabeth, along with coworkers from the Personnel directorate for their support throughout his career.
“You have supported me throughout my career. I am where I am because of you,” he said.