17/05/2026
Ernestine C. Epps was honored during a retirement ceremony on May 3, 2026, recognizing 31 years of distinguished military service and leadership. The ceremony took place at Joint Force Headquarters in Delaware, where fellow service members celebrated her decades of dedication to strengthening the force.
Epps began her military career in the United States Marine Corps before joining the Delaware Army National Guard in 1999. She later became a warrant officer in 2006 and advanced through the ranks, making history in 2023 as the first woman in Delaware to achieve the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five and serve as State Command Chief Warrant Officer.
Throughout her career, Epps focused heavily on mentoring, recruiting, and developing warrant officers across the organization. Fellow leaders credited her with helping build a professional, mission-ready force grounded in accountability, leadership, and excellence.
During her retirement ceremony, Epps received multiple honors recognizing exceptionally meritorious service, including the Legion of Merit and the Order of the Griffin. Her influence continues through the generations of leaders she mentored and the lasting impact she made on the Delaware National Guard community.
Source: Delaware National Guard releases, military reports
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