By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Crane, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
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Chief Warrant Officer Tyler Kramer was nominated to compete for the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award against warrant officers from across the country. Kramer is a UH-60M pilot, who also serves as the unit movement officer with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Crane)
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Great leaders aren’t the ones who set out to be recognized as such and talk about how much they want to be great. Great leaders put their head down and are quietly going about their business.
So when one of these type leaders are recognized, it usually isn’t something they’ve expected.
As was the case for one Kentucky Guardsman, his nomination for the 2018 General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award (GDMLA), was a complete surprise.
Chief Warrant Officer Tyler Kramer is a UH-60M pilot, who also serves as the unit movement officer with Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation. He is on orders currently full time tasked with facilitating unit movement and assisting with unit planning for an upcoming mobilization in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
“To have a list of experienced and proven leaders in the same nomination was extremely gratifying for me," said Kramer. “To be a junior officer nominated for such a prestigious and illustrious award really took me by surprise, it made me realize that I should continue to strive to be a better leader and offer my assistance wherever I can.”
The intent of the GDMLA is to recognize the leadership contributions of Army officers in a field environment. The selection criteria are based on performance in categories such as influence, proficiency and team building.
As for his leadership style that he uses, he tries to be extremely fair and forthcoming.
“From my time as an NCO to now being a junior officer I have always remembered to never put myself above anything I would ask someone else to do,” he said. “Being in the Guard also poses a unique challenge trying to balance family and personal relationships with contributing to unit success during every training event and drill weekend.”
He grew up in Northern Kentucky with three siblings. His father has been a goal oriented individual who runs a division for a global chemical company whose influence left an indelible mark on him.
“At a young age he instilled a sense of work ethic and pride, in all, he has shaped who I am today. My family is still very close and we all have a sense of commitment to one another that most people fall away from.”
He has recently married his wife, Heidi, who Kramer claims is the “hardest working person” he knows and credits the support of his new wife and his close family bonds to his ability to lead others.
“To this day I still feel extremely blessed to have all of these people in my life. As far as being a better leader I think it all comes down to having a core support group.”
“We all continue to motivate each other and offer assistance and guidance regardless of age or difference in career paths. My wife especially, has a unique trait of finding beneficial outcomes even when the situation seems bleak. All of those people in my life will continue to support me and help me grow no matter how hard the situation may be,” he added.
When Kramer isn’t leading Soldiers, he loves to spend time with his family at simple gatherings and family functions. He is also an avid motorcyclist and enjoys working on mechanical problems and common carpentry around the house.
Capt. Andrew Goldey and he will be going on to compete against 54 other National Guard officers, 7 of which will be selected and awarded in Washington D.C., later this year.
The General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award recognizes company grade officers and junior warrant officers who demonstrate the ideals for which MacArthur stood, Duty, Honor, Country, and promotes and sustains effective junior officer leadership in the Army.