Chief Warrant Officer 3 Barry Kerr
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Platoon Supervisor & 81st Brigade UAS Officer
Det. 1, D Co, 898 Brigade Engineer Battalion
Q: How long have you worked here?
A: I've been the full-time Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Operations Officer since 2012.
Q: What do you feel are the greatest benefits to working for the Washington Military Department?
A: The 4/10 work schedule, the freedom to plan and execute the training to accomplish the mission, the professionalism of the workforce and the spirit of teamwork.
Q: What's the most interesting/significant project you've worked on while with WMD?
A: Moving the UAS unit and equipment to Canada for Exercise Maple Resolve 2016 and working with multiple aviation and ground units in a military exercise with over 3,500 personnel.
Q: In what ways have you had an opportunity to grow new skills?
A: The availability of training and advances in technology and rank progression all contribute toward learning new skills and skill sets to accomplish an ever-changing mission. It forces us into unfamiliar territory we may not have developed skills in prior but have to learn to succeed and meet the mission requirements.
Q: Which value do you need to embrace most in your job, and why?
A: Flexibility and freedom. Being overly regulated stifles creativity and the goal of the mission is then viewed from a one-sided approach. There are many great opinions out there that never get heard. I like hearing new ideas and new ways to skin a cat! Thinking outside the box needs to be encouraged and supported in today's world.
Q: What do you find most challenging about the work you do here?
A: The ever-changing mission of Unmanned Aircraft with U.S. airspace/privacy concerns, battlefield support missions and how to accomplish the training to accomplish these.
Q: Do you ever think about the impact our work has on Washington residents? How does that make you feel?
A: As far as Yakima, the community is very pro-military and the WMD and Army are well respected in the area. I'm very proud to be part of an organization that helps a smaller community and provides jobs for local people that work on the training center.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or mantra you live by?
A: I don't try to take myself too seriously. Stress robs you of life...and hair.
Q: How do you recharge from a busy or stressful day?
A: I do projects around my house, or work in my yard, or my shop. I can totally distract myself very easily.
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