Posted on Dec 28, 2025
2LT(P) Operations Officer
2.9K
13
5
2
2
0
Current national guard and prior 12T, I would like to resign my commission after 10 years to become a warrant officer in my same branch. I have civilian geotechnical engineering and construction experience, and project management. What would this process look like especially when trying to bring it up to my senior rater as a future military goal? I love leading soldiers and planning training for them, but I still have that itch to be the guy doing the math and technical stuff on site instead of having to attend what seems like perpetual meetings. Im aware that once I resign my commission, I might not ever get it back until I hit CW2. I was told that EBOLC and ROTC will basically count as the WOCS "equivalent" so I dont have to do that over again. How about EWOBC?
Posted in these groups: Warrant officers logo Warrant Officers
Avatar feed
Responses: 3
CW3 Richard "Lee" Doty
4
4
0
Joey, my experiences are ancient, so take them with a five-pound bag of salt. I actually knew an MI guy who resigned his commission as a captain to accept a warrant. I don't recall if it was WO1 or CW2. Either way, from personal experience, being a warrant officer was a blast! I got to do all the hands-on stuff AND got to be a leader. I was never going to be a battalion commander, but then, my commanders were never going to get to do what I was doing. I would suggest giving the warrant officer in charge of that branch a call and discussing options from his or her perspective. He or she will be the person that you'll likely deal with on that side of the house. Once you get answers there, that will give you more concrete information to approach your current boss.
(4)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
COL Randall Cudworth
3
3
0
Edited 2 mo ago
The first step is submitting a 'Conditional Rank Resignation' memorandum* HRC for a conditional release from your Branch Chief.

After that you would apply to the Warrant Officer Selection Board and include that as part of your packet*.

You'll have to look through the applicable MILPER messages for the year you (try to) make the switch to determine what constructive credit will apply. This will determine what, if any, PME you'll need to complete and what grade you'll be appointed at.

If anyone is telling you that any of your previous education/training 'will' count in regards to your WOBC, have them cite the applicable regulation and/or policy letter. Unless the course has been formally reviewed, and and guidance has been issued regarding what, if any, portion of XXXXX is satisfied by YYYYY, then it will be a judgement call regarding which training objectives required by the Program of Instruction (POI) are met.

In other words, BOLC and WOBC have two different focuses. There is a lot of overlap but some significant differences. You'll have to show that your totality of education/experience as a 2LT covers all the requirements from the WOBC POI.
---------------------------------------------------------------
* Conditional Rank Resignation (template) - https://recruiting.army.mil/Portals/15/updated%2011_%20AV_Conditional_Rank_Resignation_MFR_TEMPLATE.docx
* Warrant Officer Application Checklist - https://recruiting.army.mil/Portals/15/Applicant%20Checklist_1%20Feb%202023.pdf
(3)
Comment
(0)
Avatar small
Infantryman
2
2
0
I'm confused. Why would you wait 10 years, a point at which you should at least be promotable to Major, to switch to Warrant? If being commissioned isn't your thing, why wait to try to switch?

If it's about 2LT being a shit job, it's a shit job in almost every branch. It gets better. Two of the best jobs I had in the Army were at Captains rank, Company Commander and Assistant Brigade Engineer. Most Officers remember their first Company Command as a highpoint of their service.
(2)
Comment
(0)
2LT(P) Operations Officer
2LT(P) (Join to see)
2 mo
10 years for officer retirement
(1)
Reply
(0)
CPT Lawrence Cable
CPT Lawrence Cable
2 mo
2LT(P) (Join to see) - I understood that part. You retire on the top three pay years and the pay difference between an O-4 and W-4 isn't all that much and O ranks get competitive above O-3. Why waste half a career? If you think Warrant is the way to go, I would advise doing it now.
(1)
Reply
(0)
Avatar small

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

close