Any experience going from Officer to Warrant Officer (CID)?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 14:17:16 -0500

Recently a MILPER message came out looking for Junior Officers willing to apply for a branch transfer to CID and therefore become a Warrant Officer. Has anyone taken this route before? Officer -> Warrant Officer? Thoughts? Opinions?

After much thought, I personally have submitted an application for this process and was curious to see if anyone was familiar with it.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jan 4 at 2016 2:38 PM

SN Greg Wright — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 14:38:44 -0500

1LT Private RallyPoint Member I can't offer any help, but I have a question. Why do you want to do it? Seems like a step down, isn't it? What's the benefit for you?

Response by CW2 Ernest Krutzsch made Jan 4 at 2016 8:05 PM

CW2 Ernest Krutzsch — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 20:05:18 -0500

check here https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/pictures/images/000/029/628/for_gallery_v2/WarrantOfficerRanksExplained.jpg? [login to see]

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Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 9:12 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 21:12:26 -0500

I'll just say, I have 2 soldiers in my unit who each resigned their commissions from their prior MOS before branch transfers were being accepted. One was O-4 the other O-2 and they went back to E-5 to become agents. After their time they went Warrant Officer and both do not regret it one bit. I became a CID Warrant Officer in 2013 after 7 years as an agent and by far the best move in regards to a civilian career in law enforcement. I am now a Digital Forensic Examiner and all of the training I received and experience I developed as an agent have paid significantly in my police career. As a Warrant Officer, I am a subject matter expert within my field of expertise. It's the perfect fit for those who want a career in law enforcement. Also, the big plus is if you decide to leave AD, plenty of Reserve CID units available where you continue on!!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jan 5 at 2016 5:47 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 17:47:02 -0500

COL Jean (John) F. B., is there any advice you can offer 1LT Private RallyPoint Member?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2016 11:04 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 11:04:48 -0500

LT, it sounds as though you are on your way! Congratulations and welcome to one of the best jobs in the Army!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2016 12:53 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 12:53:16 -0400

A buddy of mine did. Captain to CW2. He is now a CW4 and his pension increased. He likes being a warrant.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2016 2:32 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Nov 2016 14:32:38 -0500

1LT Private RallyPoint Member not to reignite an old thread but did you drop your packet and if you did where are you at in the pipeline today? Thank you.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2017 7:11 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 May 2017 19:11:25 -0400

Once upon a time, I was a [USAR] Special Forces Captain and transitioned to a [USAR] CID WO1 ... at that time it was the best move I could have made ... and it worked out well in the long run. I was mobilized after 9-11 to, what is now called, Protective Services Battalion. An ideal CID unit to plug reservists in during the Post 9-11 environment. In 2014, I retired from DEA and went back on active duty; detailed to the FBI's National Joint Terrorism Task Force (NJTTF) as a TFO/LNO. A great retirement job for a CID Warrant Officer [NOT available for Commissioned Officers]. So being a CID Warrant Officer has been very, very good to me.

There are many reasons to remain a "Real Live Officer" (RLO) ... Opportunities to fill command and staff billets at different echelons. So ask yourself, what do you like doing? Where do you want to be in five, ten or more years? What are your ambitions?

Conversely, there are many arguments for being a CID Warrant Officer ... Opportunities to become extremely proficient as an investigator and single tracked officer; SME; and, a highly respected officer within the MP Corps.

To summarize, ... I don't think you'll go wrong with a decision to remain a RLO or transition to a WO. I believe either is a Win, Win for you. I wish you the best.

V/R - H. John O'Donoghue, CW5, MP (USAR)

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2017 5:55 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 31 May 2017 17:55:10 -0400

Not a step down. CID Agents have more responsibility, autonomy, and career opportunities within CID than one can imagine. I went from USMC to SF to CID as an E6 and retired as a CW3. Best career move I ever made. Had a position waiting for me.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2017 8:20 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 08:20:46 -0400

In 1996, I converted from a SF Captain (USAR) to a CID Warrant Officer (USAR) which worked out very well for me in the long run. As a Warrant Officer you are able to remain engaged at an operational level and generally develop into a SME within your "track", where you will remain. As you progress through the ranks in the Officer Corps, you are likely to be assigned various staff duties and if you're fortunate, possibly catch a Battalion/Brigade/Group Command. Therefore, I suggest that you ask yourself where do you want to see your career in one, five, ten and more years from now. Do you wish to become a single track SME or would you rather experience a variety of being a "Jack of all trades and a master of none", but experience a variety of assignments throughout your career. In summary, you can't go wrong by becoming a Warrant Officer or by remaining a RLO. Follow your passion with commitment.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 6:16 PM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:16:34 -0400

The Milper is still out there for FY 2018 for active only. I was told on the reserve side I would have to drop to E-5.

Response by CW3 Michael Clifford made Nov 28 at 2019 8:47 AM

CW3 Michael Clifford — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 08:47:34 -0500

I think you made a wise decision. I went the enlisted to warrant route but I am somewhat knowledgeable about your route. Give me a call sometime and I can speak to your specific questions. My contact information is located under the account information.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Feb 8 at 2020 10:02 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Sat, 08 Feb 2020 22:02:41 -0500

So how did this work out?

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 8 at 2023 8:49 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Oct 2023 20:49:53 -0400

How does it work for retirement grade if officer was a 1LT and later achieves CW4 or CW5 rank? Do they retire as 1LT or CW4/CW5?