Incirlik Airmen earn high-value contracting officer warrants Published Jan. 19, 2022 By Airman 1st Class Brandt Self 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Two contracting Airmen from Incirlik Air Base recently earned high-value contracting officer warrants granting them easier access to procure goods, construction assets and services to complete the Air Force mission more effectively and efficiently. First Lt. Dustin Golden and Master Sgt. Cristopher Pennock, contracting officers assigned to the 39th Contracting Squadron, received an unlimited contract warrant and a $25 million warrant, respectively. “In my entire 15 years of service, I have only seen four second lieutenants earn an unlimited warrant,” Golden explained. “And they are all prior contracting enlisted members with years of experience like myself.” He noted the significance of having an unlimited contracting officer warrant, as it symbolizes his knowledge and experience in his career field. “It makes me feel like I made the right choice by coming into the contracting career field,” Golden said. “[It] lets me be a motivator to my subordinates. If I can do it, so can you.” In operational contracting, which directly supports operational missions, warrants are typically between $250,000 and $2 million, with the highest being an unlimited warrant. The warrant is the documented authority to enter into a contract on behalf of the government. Contracting officers can only obligate the government to the extent of their warrant value. Although highly encouraged, it is rare to have a high-value warrant in operational contracting, especially for enlisted members. Pennock is one of only 14 enlisted Airmen who currently have a $25 million warrant. “I feel an unlimited warrant is the Holy Grail for an enlisted member, but to earn a warrant that is over $5 million takes a lot of experience and knowledge” said Pennock. To earn either an unlimited or $25 million warrant involves a lot of hard work, to include having at least two years of experience, taking a series of tests, attending multiple courses, earning certifications, providing letters of recommendation, completing interviews and going through an in-person warrant board with legal, policy and functional experts. Any warrant greater than $5 million must be approved by the unit’s major command while the unlimited warrant is issued at the Air Force level. “A higher warrant is what every officer, civilian or enlisted member in contracting strives for,” Pennock explained. “An unlimited warrant is…my next goal for my career.” Both Airmen will maintain their warrants when they move to their next base, enabling them to continue executing the Air Force mission seamlessly. “Earning a high value warrant is a huge and significant milestone in our career field. To earn such an honor during a short tour is a tremendous feat,” said Maj. Holland Canter, 39th CONS commander. “With any warrant, and especially a high value warrant, comes more responsibility, leadership opportunities and ultimately more work. I commend Master Sgt. Pennock and 1st Lt. Golden for their dedication to the mission and our people.”