THIS MONTH NNOA CELEBRATES THE SERVICE OF MUSTANG OFFICER

CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 WILLIE J. MCCULLEN, JR., UNITED STATES NAVY

By CDR(sel) Desmond K. Walker, USN

“I did it the hard way…I EARNED IT!”. This phrase is the last sentence of the traditional Navy Mustang Creed. It is the closing statement of commissioning ceremonies every month for enlisted Sailors that have worked through the ranks, beginning at the deckplates, to take their place in wardrooms around the world. Forged in the fire of consistent technical performance and proficiency, the Mustang brings a technical expertise that every unrestricted line officer in executive leadership is advised to respect. With this appreciation of the Mustang contribution, I present to you our October 2019 Mustang Officer to be featured during NNOA’s yearlong recognition of Mustangs. This month, we recognize Chief Warrant Officer 4 Willie J. McCullen, Jr., United States Navy.

CWO4 McCullen is a native of Charleston, South Carolina.  CWO4 McCullen enlisted in the Navy in September 1989 as an Undesignated Seaman, converted into the Operations Specialist rating and advanced to Chief Petty Officer in 2005.  He was then selected as a Chief Warrant Officer and received his commission in October 2008.

His time as a Chief Petty Officer reflects a profound sense of self and an enduring desire to create an environment for those under his charge to be successful. This level of dedication resulted in so many lessons learned. During his time in USS STEPHEN W. GROVES (FFG-29), his biggest lesson was displaying the ability to “train your people and trust your people to do their jobs. By allowing people to do their jobs I have learned that they give their all when they feel they are contributing to the success of the command.”  Emulating a passion for continual learning, during a second tour at sea as a Chief Petty Officer, in USS DOYLE (FFG-39), Willie recalls, “I also learned to listen to my Sailors. Often, as leaders, we get wrapped up into our point of view and not how the Sailor perceives the information. By listening to Sailors, I gained their respect and became the most trusted Chief onboard. Sailors trusted me so much that I could get almost anything done by anyone on the ship.”

Willie’s continuous self-improvement increased dramatically through attending Excelsior University where he earned a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business Administration degree in December 2013.  He later obtained a Master’s of Science in Management from Excelsior University in June of 2015.

CWO4 McCullen’s professional development did not stop with achieving academic excellence. After a successful transition from the Chief’s Mess to the Wardroom, his journey continued in several commands. He has served in Space and Field Activity Chantilly VA as Chief of Operations,  MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND as the Strategic Plans/Division Officer, USS FARRAGUT (DDG 99) as Assistant Operations Officer/Combat Information’s Officer and COMPSRON  THREE (USNS JACK LUMMIS) as the Operations Officer.

Thus far, USS FARRAGUT has been the most influential tour for his professional and personal development. He learned the importance of building relationships in the wardroom.  “Often Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers distance themselves in the wardroom. Sailors who integrate in the wardroom successfully have great tours and achieve all the qualifications and certs they need.”  He added, “I learned not to lead with my feelings. Your feeling and personal beliefs  will get you in a heap of trouble.”  Subsequently, he has advice for newly commissioned  LDO’s/CWO’s reporting to their first command. CWO4 McCullen stresses that “new accessions need to take their time to understand the Mustang Community and their new titles (or designators). Often new accessions come in trying to make immediate changes that are frown upon by both the Line and Mustang communities.”

Being a Mustang that tends to show a wild streak from time to time, is not afraid to petition senior officers as well. His plea to Commanders and Commanding Officers is simple. “Accept Mustangs for who they are and what they bring to the table. In my career I have felt that my bosses wanted me to be an 1110 (Surface Warfare Officer). I chose the Warrant program because it’s truly in my heart”.

In February 2018, CWO4 McCullen assumed his current duties as Deputy Operations Officer, COMLCSRON TWO.  He is responsible for the training, readiness, maintenance, schedules, material, supply discipline and morale of the staff, crews and mission packages for all LCS ships assigned to the Atlantic Fleet that are homeported in Naval Station Mayport.

CWO4 McCullen is authorized to wear the Defense Meritorious Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Three awards), Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal (eight awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal, (four awards) and numerous unit medals and ribbons.  He also attained his Surface Warfare Officer qualification along with a graduate-level certification in Human Resource Management, from Villanova University. Other certifications from Villanova include Lean Six Sigma, Mastering HR Organization Effectiveness. He also earned a Computer-Peripheral Operator Certification from the United States Department of Labor and qualified as a Defense Acquisition level 1 Program Manager. 

CWO4 McCullen selected for CWO5 during the FY-20 ACTIVE-DUTY NAVY CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER, W-3, W-4, AND W-5 SELECTION Board in August 2019. He is an active contributor to the NNOA Jacksonville Chapter and is always available to support NNOA’s mission to enhance Sea Service operational readiness by supporting recruiting, professional development, and retention in an effort to achieve a diverse officer corps that reflects the demographics of our Nation.

NNOA is honored to celebrate Chief Warrant Officer Willie McCullen’s career as a Mustang and appreciates his years of service to the National Naval Officers Association, the United States Navy and the United States of America.