BERNE — Jacqueline “Jackie’ O’Keefe, a Berne resident, became the Command Chief Warrant Officer for the New York Army National Guard during a ceremony on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Her commander handed her a sword used by her son, Bradley, to symbolize her assumption of power.

She is married to Brian O’Keefe, a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army Reserve.

They have three sons, all serving in the military: Master Sgt. Brian O'Keefe Jr., who serves in the Army’s Special Operations Command; 1st Lt. Bradley O'Keefe, who serves in the 101st Air Assault Division; and Cpl. Brenden O'Keefe, who is assigned to the New York National Guard's 173rd Cyber Protection Team.

Their daughter, Brooke O’Keefe, attends Greenville Central High School.

As Command Chief Warrant Officer, O’Keefe is responsible for implementing the New York Army National Guard’s Warrant Officer Program. Warrant Officers are technical experts who fall between sergeants and commissioned officers in the Army’s command structure.

She will report to Major General Anthony German, the Adjutant General of New York.

O’Keefe is replacing Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jeffery Schirmer, a Rochester resident, who is retiring after 36 years in the Army.

In his remarks during the ceremony, held at New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs in Latham, German thanked Schirmer for his service and said he was looking forward to working with O’Keefe.

“I am proud, grateful and honored beyond words to be here today,” O’Keefe said, according to a release from the National Guard. “I’m looking forward to what the future will bring.”

Warrant officers, O’Keefe told her listeners, are charged by the Army with fixing problems, not making problems. She looks forward to keeping that tradition going, she said.

During the short ceremony, a sword was transferred from Schirmer, the warrant officer leaving the position, to German. He then handed the sword to O’Keefe, symbolizing her assumption of the duties.

The officer’s sword has traditionally been the mark of a leader.

The sword used in the Feb. 28 ceremony was the one issued to O’Keefe’s son, Army 1st Lt. Bradley O’Keefe, when he was a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

O'Keefe has served in the Army National Guard since 1983 when she enlisted as a personnel specialist. She advanced to the rank of Sgt. 1st Class and entered the Warrant Officer Corps in 1995.

She’s served in a number of New York Army National Guard units to include the 27th Rear Area Operations Center, the 53rd Troop Command, the 42nd Infantry Division, and Joint Force Headquarters. She has served as Officer Personnel Management Branch Chief, Active Guard and Reserve Branch Chief, and Warrant Officer Strength Manager.

O’Keefe is a graduate of the Warrant Officer Senior Service Education Course, the Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education Course, and the Adjutant General Warrant Officer Basic and Advanced Courses.

She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University.

Her awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and National Defense Medal with one Bronze Star, Armed Forced Reserved Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and National Guard Recruiter Badge.