CW5 Leonard R. Levy

CW5 Leonard Levy is a distinguished and accomplished military professional with an illustrious 36-year career in the United States Army. Born in Whitfield Town, Kingston, Jamaica, Levy migrated to the United States in 1986 and enlisted in the Army, where he received training as a Small Arms Repairer. He quickly rose through the ranks, accessing the Warrant Officer Cohort in 1997 and completing his certification as an Armament Repair Technician.

Throughout his career, Levy has held numerous key leadership positions, demonstrating exceptional expertise in armament repair and maintenance. As an enlisted soldier, he served in various units, including the 1st Armored Division, 24th Infantry Division, and 2nd and 3rd Corps Support Commands. He honed his skills in maintaining and managing armament gun and fire control systems, including pistols, machine guns, and tanks. Levy deployed to several operations, including Desert Shield/Storm, Vigilant Warrior, and Joint Endeavor.

As a warrant officer, Levy's first assignment was with the 4th Forward Support Battalion, where he played a crucial role in transforming the Army doctrine into a digital Army. He continuously maintained experimental weapons and systems above a 95% readiness rating, exceeding Department of the Army goals. Levy's subsequent assignments took him to Korea, where he ensured the 2nd Infantry Division's weapons and systems were fully mission capable.

In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Levy managed the deployment of Armament Section DSESTS Vans to two forward operating bases, implementing an efficient troubleshooting and diagnostic method that enabled quick repair turnaround times. His team repaired over 43 Target Acquisition Systems and 74 Sensor Assembly Units, saving the Army over $33 million in cost avoidance. Levy also installed safety mechanisms on M2 Machine Guns, reducing accidental and negligent discharges.

As Special Repair Teams Chief, Materiel Readiness Division, and Senior Maintenance Officer, Levy managed and synchronized TACOM, CECOM, and USAMMA SRT schedules, repairing and returning over 1.5 million pieces of equipment. He deployed to Afghanistan as an auditor, accounting for small arms and crew-served weapons in support of a Foreign Military Sales program.

Levy's later assignments included serving as an Armament Systems Capabilities Developer and Material Readiness Branch Chief, where he reviewed and coordinated logistics supportability for Army acquisition systems and represented the logistics and user communities in determining maintenance support requirements. He was involved in the development of over 25 weapon and weapon systems, including the M119A2 Digital Howitzer and XM17 Modular Handgun System.

Throughout his career, Levy has demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and dedication to the United States Army. His contributions have had a significant impact on the Army's ability to maintain and deploy effective armament systems, supporting operations and saving lives. Levy's legacy serves as a testament to his commitment to excellence and his unwavering dedication to the military profession. Chief Levy’s award and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC) and numerous lesser awards and decorations. Chief Levy retired in October 2022.