Robert L. Huffman

CW5 Robert L. Huffman has a distinguished 30-year military career in the U.S. Army, serving in various aviation roles and contributing significantly to the Warrant Officer community. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in August 1977 and served as a crew chief on UH-1H, U-21, and C-12 aircraft at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Korea, and Fort Gordon, Georgia. In 1983, he was appointed to the rank of Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) and graduated from the Warrant Officer Flight Training Program at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

After flight school, he returned to Fort Campbell, KY as an aero scout pilot, where he later became an instructor pilot and instrument flight examiner for the OH-58A/C and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters. His expertise and leadership were essential in training new Army Aviators. He was notably selected as the first aero scout/armed reconnaissance helicopter pilot to serve with the 1st Aviation Regiment of the Australian Army Aviation. This opportunity highlighted his skills and international collaboration within military aviation.

Throughout his career, he held various leadership positions including Chairman of the Senior Warrant Officer Advisory Council and Aviation Branch Proponent at Fort Rucker, where he played a critical role in the development and modernization of aviation training and standards within the Army. As a mentor concerning the leadership model of “Be, Know, Do” he once said, “In retrospect, the accumulation of flight hours, rank and duty positions are perhaps important qualitative and quantitative factors, however, in our profession, these considerations should contribute in only a small measure when assessing your career in today’s Army.”

His outstanding service was recognized through several awards, including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medals (fifth oak leaf cluster), Air Medals, and Army Commendation Medals (fourth oak leaf cluster) among others. This extensive recognition underscores his contributions and dedication to the Army.

After retiring from active duty on September 1, 2007, CW5 Huffman continues to engage with the military community through various organizations and projects aimed at supporting and improving the Warrant Officer cohort, remaining an influential figure in Army aviation and training. His military career illustrates a continuous commitment to excellence, both in service and leadership, significantly impacting the aviation branch and the warrant officer community as a whole. His legacy is marked by his expertise, mentorship, and dedication to the soldiers he served with throughout his career.