When your child is born, many things go through your mind. As the days go by, you wonder where their lives will lead them. For Swainsboro natives, Tim and Diane Stevens, their son, Andy Stevens, chose to follow the path of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Seven core traits that could only be obtained by an American soldier.
“Andy chose the most dangerous path but has applied himself in everything that he’s done. He’s an incredible father, husband, and son and has a very distinguished military career,” the Stevens explained.
Recently, Stevens was promoted to Army Chief Warrant Officer 5 (CW5); however, his exceptionally meritorious career began 20 years ago in 2002 when he joined the U.S. Army. In 2003, Stevens attended Warrant Officer Candidate School and flight training until 2004 when he joined the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR) at Fort Carson, Colorado.
His first deployment was in 2005 to Iraq with 3rd ACR in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon his return, Stevens relocated with his unit to Fort Hood, TX, where he participated in the initial testing and validation of the UH-60M Black Hawk. In 2007, he conducted a second deployment to Iraq with 3rd ACR, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After returning from this second deployment, Stevens moved to Fort Rucker, AL, where he served as a UH-60 Black Hawk Instructor Pilot (IP) teaching flight school XXI. After serving three years in this role, Stevens joined the 16th Combat Aviation Brigade as a Platoon IP at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington State.
The following year, in May 2013, Stevens left active duty and joined the Florida Army National Guard. He worked as an M-Day IP for C CO 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) MEDEVAC and flew as an EMS pilot for Med- Trans Corporation. In December of 2013, Stevens was hired as a full time IP with the Georgia Army National Guard and returned to his home state. He served the next four years in Detachment 1, C CO 1-111th GSAB (MEDEVAC) as the detachment/company Standardization Pilot (SO) Instrument Examiner (IE).
His third deployment was to Iraq in Syria and lasted from 2016 to 2017, where he served as the company's SP and as a MEDEVAC pilot in support of operation Inherent Resolve/Spartan Shield. After this deployment, Stevens completed the UH-72A aviator qualification and instructor pilot courses. He then joined detachment one, C CO 2-151st.
“When your child is a helicopter pilot in the middle of a war, you feel helpless. He always made it through and came home to his family though and for that we’re forever grateful,” Stevens’s father, Tim, said with a smile.
Stevens spent approximately nine months at the U.S. southwest border supporting Customs and Border protection. He also flew in support of Georgia counterdrug aviation operations. In 2020, Stevens joined the 1-171st GSAB as the Battalion SP, and in 2021 he was selected as the 78th Aviation Troop Command (ATC) Aviation Mission Survivability Officer (AMSO). He currently serves in this position as well as the role of Quota Source Manager, managing all graduate-level schools for the 78th ATC.
“As a parent we’re always proud of our children no matter what they do in life,” Tim explained through joyful eyes. “Andy has made a lot of sacrifices to get to where he is now. His mother and I have missed him so much over the last 20 years. The times that he would be gone for a year or more would just drag by. Whether he’s been in another state or country, we’ve always counted down the days until we would see him again.”
Stevens’s in-laws, Brad and Angie Headley, said that Stevens’s accomplishments and promotion are not a surprise to those who know him.
“As Andy alluded to in his acceptance speech for this promotion, his decision to serve our country is a family commitment,” explained the Headleys. “Andy was fortunate to have his entire family support him and his decision to serve; we knew he was in it for the long haul. Over his 20+ years of service, Andy’s ascension through the ranks of Army Aviation is no surprise to anyone that knows him; he is the epitome of the American soldier.”
CW5 Stevens has over 4000 flight hours and is qualified in the UH-60 A/L/M Black Hawk, the UH-72A Lakota, the TH-67A Creek, and the EC-135 helicopters. He will attend the Army C-12 and C-26 fixed- wing courses this year.
Stevens’s badges and awards include: the Meritorious Service medal, Air medal (3x), Army Commendation medal (3x), Army Achievement medal, National Defense service medal, Iraq Campaign medal (2x), Operation Inherent Resolve medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, Army Service ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon (3x), Georgia National Guard State Active- Duty ribbon, Georgia National Guard Counter Narcotics ribbon, Combat Action badge and the Army Master Aviator badge.
His Sikorsky Awards are 500 Hours Incident/Accident Free, 1000 Hours Incident/Accident Free, 500 Hours Combat, 2000 Hours Incident/Accident Free, and the Sikorsky Rescue Award.
Looking at his many achievements, Steven’s sister, Michele, said that her brother has always been a source of inspiration.
“Growing up, I always looked up to my brother in everything he has done and his devotion to our family,” Michele said. “Now, as an adult, his dedication to our country inspires me. I am honored to be able to be a part of his journey in his endeavors towards our freedom.”
Among these many incredible achievements, Stevens also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College. He and the love of his life, his wife, Arlie, have two children, 20-year-old Landen, who is following in his father’s footsteps, and 18-year-old Bailey, who is on her way to becoming Swainsboro’s newest Nurse Practitioner. Regarding her husband’s recent success, Arlie shared these touching words:
“What an honor it is to be married to Andy,” she began with a smile. “For the past 20 years, he has served this great nation with integrity, loyalty, and dedication. He has sacrificed so much for me and our children and for this country. He gives his all in everything that he does and has worked so hard to accomplish this well-deserved promotion to CW5. I'm so proud of him. He supports all my crazy dreams and pushes me to be better. I never doubt his love for me, and I know he will always be there no matter what. He is my husband, my rock, and my best friend. He is truly the best man I have ever known. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Andy Stevens, I love you always and forever!”
Stevens’s parents, Tim, and Diane, remind us all to thank a service member with this message for their son: “Thank you, Andy, for your service and for being such a good person and son.”
Collectively from all of us here in your hometown, congratulations CW5 Andy Stevens, and welcome home!
