Dr. Linda R. Horton, Chief Warrant Officer Four (CW4), U.S. Army National Guard, is a distinguished leader, mentor, and trailblazer. She currently serves as the Warrant Officer Assignment Manager at the National Guard Bureau, where she oversees key personnel assignments and career management initiatives for Warrant Officers at the National Guard Bureau.
Most recently, Dr. Horton served as the Executive Officer to the Eighth Command Chief Warrant Officer (CCWO) at the National Guard Bureau in the National Capital Region. As the first African American to hold this position, she advised and assisted the CCWO in executing strategic initiatives hat advanced the Warrant Officer Corps. Together, they left a legacy of service, innovation, and excellence—modernizing processes, rewriting key policies, and establishing vital training programs that continue to empower future generations of Warrant Officers. For her exceptional leadership and contributions, she was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
In 2016, Dr. Horton received the Eagle Rising Award, recognizing Army National Guard Warrant Officers who demonstrate exceptional leadership technical expertise, and professionalism. She was the first Soldier from the State of North Carolina to receive this distinguished honor.
Earlier in her career, in 2013, CW4 Horton made history as the first African American and first female commander of the 440th Army Band, where her leadership earned her widespread respect and distinction. In 2001, she was selected to support the State Partnership Peace Training in Moldova Eastern Europe, and later deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2005). Serving as an African American female leader in a combat engineer battalion during wartime strengthened her resilience and deepened her commitment to developing others.
Dr. Horton holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from Capella University, a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Montreat College, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Fayetteville State University. She remains actively involved with her alma mater as a member of the Chancellor’s Club, the Broncos Athletic Club, and Vice President of the Raleigh-Wake FSU Alumni Chapter.
She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the National ssociation of Professional Women, and Kingdom Life Community Church in Washington, North Carolina.
