Does a SGT get discharged from the Army if he transitions to becoming a warrant but later reverts back to his/her SGT rank after 14 yea RCP?

2024-10-11T18:08:38-04:00

At my last duty station I knew a WO1. Approximately three years I knew him as a WO1 but about three months before PCSing I saw him as a SFC. I never knew why he was wearing the rank of SFC but I was told by someone else that was his last rank before transitioning to warrant. Thinking to myself if that was to happen to me wouldn't that put me pass my RCP unlike SFC John Doe who has a RCP date further out?

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 11 at 2024 9:29 PM

2024-10-11T21:29:05-04:00

Although it's not routinely done, there could be a number of reasons that a Warrant Officer would revert to their prior enlisted rank, but the most common reason would be so they could continue on active duty and receive a regular retirement.

Specific to your question, there isn't an exception to RCP for an officer or warrant officer reverting to their enlisted rank (if held) prior to becoming an officer.

In the hypothetical situation you gave (Warrant Officer reverting to SGT and have over 14 years active duty service), and assuming you were eligible (AR 601-280, para 1-8d)*, you would have to obtain an ETP waiver in order to reenlist if you're past your RCP.
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* AR 601-280 (Army Retention Program) - https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/ARN35366-AR_601-280-000-WEB-1.pdf

ARN35366-AR_601-280-000-WEB-1.pdf

Response by SPC James Neidig made Oct 12 at 2024 1:57 AM

2024-10-12T01:57:41-04:00

In A Similar Situation, There Was A WO-1 Who Was The Maintenance Officer In My Last Company , Who Reverted Back To SSG ,
Because He Could Not Get Promoted To WO-2 For Failing A Required School .

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2024 11:03 PM

2024-10-13T23:03:46-04:00

Seen it happen. Associate was a Flight WO1, then his hearing tripped him up medically, then transitioned to intel MOS, and tried to apply for Intel WO from SSG, but was told too bad so said, you failed out of the flight WO program so that was your WO chance.

Totally blows.............

Response by SFC Stephen Everett made Oct 29 at 2024 1:11 AM

2024-10-29T01:11:04-04:00

Not sure, my assumption it depends on your contract as a Warrant Officer. I had friends in the Army who was a non-commissioned officer and went to Warrant Officer School and graduated. Once your transition to that rank and was honored for that rank as. You should honor it. Unless, you mess up and was demoted to Sergeant that could happen. Check with your Branch they have Regs to figure it out.

Response by SPC Michael Budzinski made Nov 27 at 2024 8:45 PM

2024-11-27T20:45:25-05:00

Must be E6 and a rigorous program to become a warrant officer plus the credentials for applying then getting picked is no easy task. Like eating chicken feet soup finally getting fried chicken and going back when completed. Probably messed up badly or very poor performance as a WO, but most likely an article 13 that demoted him. Don’t play the he/she/it crap.

Response by Capt Gilbert Nelson made Jan 29 at 2025 5:34 PM

2025-01-29T17:34:42-05:00

I was enlisted in the Air Force and was commissioned after 7 years of service. After 7 years of commissioned service there was a reduction in force (RIF) and I was let go. Since I went directly into commissioned service from enlisted the Air Force had to allow me to revert to my enlisted rank (E-5). I served 2 more years, got promoted to E-6 and then was offered an early retirement.