Honoring Our Heroes

Chief Warrant Officer 3 LaQuiesha Nicole Andrews: Age 43

Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3) LaQuiesha Nicole Andrews served 20 years and seven months in the United States Army. She culminated her military career with the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 420A Human Resources Technician. She received the following medals, award decorations, and citations: Meritorious Service Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Commendation Medal (5th award), Joint Service Achievement Medal (2nd award), Army Achievement Award (10th award), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd award), Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal , Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd award) and NATO Medal.

CW3 Andrews was born May 7,1981 to her parents, Edward and Linda Andrews, in Montgomery, AL. She graduated from George Washington Carver High School in 1999 where she participated in school activities as a cheerleader, choir member, and she served on the JROTC Drill Team. In addition, CW3 Andrews was selected as the Homecoming Queen during her senior year.

CW3 Andrews had an illustrious military career which involved 10 duty stations and several promotions throughout her service. In January 2000, she volunteered and enlisted in the Army beginning with the rank of Private First Class (PFC). She attended and completed seven weeks of Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC. Upon graduation from Advanced Individual Training, CW3 Andrews was awarded the primary MOS 75F, Computer Information Systems Management Specialist. In June 2000, she was assigned to the 1st Personnel Services Battalion at Fort Riley, KS, as her first duty station. While she was there, she was promoted to the rank of Specialist (SPC). She earned many awards for competing and winning multiple Soldier of the Quarter Boards. In addition, she was recognized by the Sergeant Major of the Army in person for her superb job performance. Later, CW3 Andrews was directly chosen for a special assignment at the Pentagon in September 2002. At her second duty station, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant (SGT). She was also selected as the OAA Noncommissioned Officer of the Year after competing and winning previous boards.

In June 2004, CW3 Andrews received orders to USANATO in Naples, Italy. During her tenure, she served on the International Color Guard as the only American and female. She also volunteered and deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan. After this tour, she was assigned to the Missile and Space Intelligence Center located at Redstone Arsenal, AL, from June 2006--July 2009 where she began working as a Human Resources Sergeant. During this time, CW3 Andrews was also promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSG). After multiple interviews and an extensive background check, she was nominated and selected to serve at the White House. For two years, she was assigned to the White House Military Office (WHMO) where she worked as a Presidential Airlift Information and Travel Specialist from June 2009--May 2011. During this nominative assignment, she was recognized at the end of 2009 as the #1 of seven Staff Sergeants within the Operations Directorate. CW3 Andrews was also promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class (SFC) during her assignment.

In July 2011, CW3 Andrews completed training at the Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, AL. As Warrant Officer (WO1), she became a Human Resources Technician until retirement. She was deployed to Yongsan, Korea, where she was assigned to the 65th Medical Brigade. After completing one year, she returned to the U.S and served at the 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group (TAOG) and the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Career College as the Adjutant both located at Fort Rucker, AL. She was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) during her tenure. While sitting at her desk one day, she received a phone call asking if she would volunteer for another assignment back in Korea. After she agreed, CW3 Andrews was assigned to the 1st Signal Brigade at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, for one year. Before her departure, she was promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CW3). She returned to the U.S. and served at the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command as the Division Strength Manager located at Fort Bliss, TX from October 2018--August 2020. This was her last duty station where she decided it was time to retire from military service.

After military service, CW3 Andrews was employed by the Montgomery Public Schools in Montgomery, AL, working as a JROTC Senior Army Instructor at her alma mater, George Washington Carver High School, for two years inspiring the next generation of leaders. Her tenure was meaningful because it brought her full circle back to where her educational journey began. She was able to share her knowledge, experience and values with her students and help shape them into capable and confident individuals. She is a member of the First Baptist Church of Greater Washington Park in Montgomery, AL, where she takes an active part singing in the choir and with the praise team. CW3 Andrews is involved in civic duties and served as the announcer for the November 11, 2024, Veterans Day parade for the city of Montgomery. She is presently involved in setting up a non-profit, Lender Not the Borrower Foundation, hoping to impact local communities and all over the world through charity, community service, mentorship and sponsorship. In her leisure time, she enjoys traveling and being with friends and family.

CW3 Andrews' conclusions about what her military service means to her are: "Serving in the military was a pivotal experience that profoundly shaped me into the person that I am today. Beyond patriotism and service, it fostered incredible personal growth refining my perspectives, values and outlook on life. The lessons learned and challenges that were overcome continue to inspire my journey." She would like people to remember her for her kindness, authenticity, resilience and spreading happiness wherever she goes inspiring others by being a lender and not a borrower. She concludes by saying, "Having siblings who served in the military was inspiriting and influential. My gratitude for my siblings, Miyoshi, Drew and Orlando and their service is truly heartfelt. Growing up with role models like them paved the way for me. Their example instilled confidence and motivation in me to follow in their footsteps."