Command Chief Warrant Officer, CASCOM

Chief Warrant Officer Five
Nicholas T. Laferte

CW5 Laferte was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He has been married for 24 years to his wife Jessica, and they have three daughters – Morgan and (Son-in-Law) CPT Joseph Candelaria, Alyssa age 21, Joey age 19. He entered the Georgia Army National Guard in January 1999. He attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC under the Army Split Option program. After completing his senior year of high school CW5 Laferte attended AIT in Fort Leonardwood, MO. He spent six years serving in the National Guard as a heavy equipment operator, military liaison, and combat engineer before transferring to active duty. His first active assignment was with the 555th MEB (P), Fort Lewis, Washington. In 2007, CW5 Laferte was selected to become an Army Aviation Warrant Officer. CW5 Laferte transferred into the Army Maritime field in 2010.

CW5 Laferte has served on four operational and two combat deployment tours and has had several diverse assignments across the Transportation and Sustainment community. Some of his notable assignments include Detachment Commander, 545th Harbormaster Detachment , JBPHH, HI(FWD Kuwait); Detachment Commander, 163rd Transportation Detachment LSV-4, JBPHH, HI; Detachment Commander, 492nd Harbormaster Detachment, JBLE, VA (FWD Kuwait); Master, Maritime Operations, 8th TSC, Fort Shafter, HI; Chief, Military History Department, Warrant Officer Career College, Fort Rucker, AL; Organizational Integrator (Watercraft), HQDA G-3/5/7 DAMO-FM, Pentagon, DC.

CW5 Laferte’s Military and Civilian education include: Heavy Equipment Operator Basic Course, Combat Engineer Basic Course (Phase 1&2), Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic NON Commissioned Officers Course, Warrant Officer Candidate School, Army SERE, DUNKER, Marine Deck Officer WO Basic, Action Officer Development Course, JLOTS Operations Course, Marine Warrant Officer Advanced Course, Commanders Safety Course, Marine Deck Officer A2 Certification Course, Company Commander/First Sergeant Pre-Command Course (Phase 1), Common Faculty Developers / Instructors Course, and How The Army Runs Course.

CW5 Laferte’s awards and decorations include: The Legion of Merit, The Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award (2 OLC), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, GWOT Expeditionary Medal, GWOT Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Ribbon, Army Sea Service Ribbon, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Drivers Badge w/ Driver – W Clasp, Combat Action Badge.