As an Officer, is it possible to go Warrant? If so, what would be the benefit?

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:15:16 -0500

From some brief research I think it is possible but I'm hoping someone here could provide clarity on this. Under what circumstances would someone want to do this and what would be the benefit?

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Feb 8 at 2018 3:20 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:20:03 -0500

That’s a good question.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 3:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:20:33 -0500

Sure is! I would think the benifits would include “doing” things more than leading them, if you’re into that. Also, you could fly! I always wanted to be a pilot, damn TBI....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Feb 8 at 2018 3:22 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:22:16 -0500

That's an interesting question, are you speaking of a commissioned switching to warrant, actually, despite the obvious aspect of the lower rank? Or, are you speaking for your own interest, in trying to go warrant? I was just curious, as I found how you actually phrased the concept rather unusual, so far as you might ne able to elaborate at all, many thanks....

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 8 at 2018 3:46 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:46:50 -0500

Yes, it's possible. It requires resigning and then enlisting in a WOC program. I know several officers that have done it, mainly on the National Guard side of things. For these guys, the Warrant was a full time AGR slots instead of part time and if they stayed until they retired, they still retired at their highest rank. The other advantage is that the WOC is not up or out, or at least not to the extent the Officer Corp is at Major and above, also. I don't know about now, but at the time, they were not required to WOCS, but had to pick up the MOS school.

Response by SGT David T. made Feb 8 at 2018 3:47 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:47:26 -0500

Interesting idea. The most obvious answer is you would become a mythical being that is very rarely spotted by us mere mortals. All sarcasm aside, I have no idea why anyone would do this.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 3:56 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 15:56:24 -0500

I see a lot of different responses on here but as someone who has done it, here is how it worked for me. First, DO NOT resign your commission because that is much more permanent, speak to your OPM folks on how to handle the process. For me, in 2007 I was a 1LT aviator and wanted a fulltime job on our state's counterdrug program flying OH-58's but they were only hiring WO's. We did some paperwork and a month later I was a WO1. It was very simple. In 2012, I was re-appointed to 1LT and promoted to CPT around 90 days later. Plus, my five or so years as a WO was added to my MRD and I was placed into a new peer group. Win-win for me because now I can stay in until I'm pension collect eligible when/if I make LTC. Being a Warrant Officer had its perks but leading Soldiers to me is much more rewarding.

Response by CW3 Harvey K. made Feb 8 at 2018 4:43 PM

CW3 Harvey K. — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 16:43:03 -0500

The scuttlebutt was that the Army frowned upon such a move, but I know of one such instance.
My CO was a major, up for mandatory promotion to LTC. He was non-selected because of a disputed lack of required military education.
He applied for and received Warrant appointment.
There have been similar cases, where officers become "gentlemen rankers" (remember your Kipling). I knew a MSG in the ROTC cadre at my college who enlisted in WWII, was battlefield commissioned a 2LT, and was promoted right on up to BG.
After the war, he was told he could continue his service, in the ranks as MSG. He accepted the deal. Then Korea broke out, and his star was back. When Korea ended, it was deja vu all over again, back to MSG.
Of course, he retired as a brigadier general. So I guess it was worth being told you were only good enough to be an officer when bullets are flying.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Feb 8 at 2018 4:52 PM

LTC Jeff Shearer — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 16:52:50 -0500

Carlos yea, kind of, I am not sure if you can do it any more but at one time. I know a few Special Forces Officers that became WO's. They had to go to several courses/schools to become qualified SF WOs. This allowed them to extend their team time. I dont know if you can still do that

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 5:13 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 17:13:20 -0500

There's a new MILPER Message (18-054) that is asking Officers to become Warrant Officers for CID. The benefit in this would be career choice. You cannot be a CID Special Agent as an Officer. Talking with a few that has made this decision don't see it as stepping down. Sure they get paid less but the experience in Federal LE might outweigh the pay difference.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 8 at 2018 7:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 19:15:27 -0500

Idk but I don't get why you'd want to switch in the first place , nothing against WOC but if you're already a commissioned officer then just stay where yore at.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 8 at 2018 9:38 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 21:38:29 -0500

It is the only way to become a CID investigator. There is a process to relinquish your commission and accept an appointment. It’s s whole thread on here.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 9 at 2018 8:27 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 08:27:53 -0500

And the OFFICIAL answer is yes. AR135-100 Chapter 1-6
Isn't the internet wonderful sometimes.
I knew people that did it, but I haven't been on the Active Reserve or Active side for a long time, but there it is in black and white.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 9 at 2018 10:57 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 10:57:12 -0500

Only if in a RIF, I believe

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 9 at 2018 3:41 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:41:07 -0500

Yes, I have seen this a couple of times in the Guard. Always they preferred doing the technical aspect.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2018 3:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:42:19 -0500

I can only say, when I deployed to Afghanistan, my commander's husband was an LTC but I guess did not get picked up for promotion or what ever officers have to do, he went Warrant. Not sure how that works or how an officers field translates to a warrant field.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2018 9:28 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 10 Feb 2018 21:28:20 -0500

I had a XO who was an 0-3. She wasn’t happy because she had so many other obligations on top of being an aviator. She used to always say how she would get too much desk time and not enough stick time. She went from CPT to either CW2 or CW3 (it was 6 years and 2 units ago). But she enjoyed her decision because she could make flying her primary focus.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 11:49 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 11:49:12 -0500

Can't tell you the exact reference, but I have seen it twice, once on active for a guy who wanted to continue flying (and still was to retire at his old rank, o4 if I remember correctly), and one guy in the guard who dropped from o (at least 4, maybe 5) straight thru wo straight to e just to get a full time position and do what he loved. If you fall under the high 3 system and didn't opt for the blended change, this could be a fairly good benefit. Some people just don't want to get that higher level of responsibility of babysitting, or the possible over looks in the promotion system.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 15 at 2018 9:44 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 21:44:58 -0500

I knew a long time National Guard officer, he was enlisted for about 10 years made SFC and was commissioned, he was a commissioned officer for about 20 years and became a LTC, he then became a warrant officer, the then served as a warrant for about 15 years and finished as a W3. He retired at age 62 with 45 years of service.
Why go Warrant? As you may have heard, being a Warrant is the best of both worlds. You can focus on your specialty but don't have to be good at everything like a commissioned officer. You also don't have to compete for promotion. If you do your job well you get promoted.