Posted on Oct 11, 2024
SGT Automated Logistical Specialist
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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?
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COL Randall C.
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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
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SFC Sfc Darwin Maring, USA Ret
SFC Sfc Darwin Maring, USA Ret
1 y
I met a WO chopper pilot that got RIFed after Nam, he enlisted in the Navy and when he retired he retired at his highest Warrant rank (mo money)
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SP5 Peter Keane
SP5 Peter Keane
1 y
CPT Lawrence Cable - I know that it is ancient history and not applicable today, but in 1971 I served with a light colonel who was riffed and was allowed to take an SFC slot in order to complete his 20. This happened as part of the major reduction following VN
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12 mo
All true, we even had a Green to Gold Captain who after being RIFed went Enlisted to Warrant. Sort got the full spectrum Army Experience.
2LT Richard Browning
2LT Richard Browning
11 mo
I had a friend that I never had seen in uniform but assumed he was an E-8, as he was getting ready to retire. I was shocked one day when he came into the craft shop in uniform as an E-5. turned out he was a Major and had received a direct commission in Nam and because he was not an NCO, E-5 was as high a rank he was eligible for. If he had been an E-5 or above at the time of his commissioning then they could have adjusted his rank to what ever was appropriate. They had him doing the exact same job as an E-5 as he was doing as a Major. He retired as a major and told me he expected to make LTC after spending a few months in the reserves.
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CPT Staff Officer
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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.............
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SFC Sfc Darwin Maring, USA Ret
SFC Sfc Darwin Maring, USA Ret
1 y
A WO is the expert of their field. If a former flight WO became a NCO due to a RIF and applied for a different WO in the new field and was totally qualified then they have every chance at becoming a WO in that field. If that SSG was not qualified then so be it. Telling them that they already had their chance was a smart ass reply and shame on them.
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SPC James Neidig
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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 .
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGM Erik Marquez
1 y
SGT (Join to see) - So long as QSP, QMP did not trip him up, or RCP...yes that SM could compleate a 20 year term of service.
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SPC James Neidig
SPC James Neidig
1 y
SGT (Join to see)
I Heard From A Friend From My Old Unit That He Made SFC And My Friend Was Transferred So I Don’t Know What Happened After That.
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SPC Michael Budzinski
SPC Michael Budzinski
1 y
One of my favorite things was seeing a lifer E5 get booted for failing to make E6. Idiots
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SPC James Neidig
SPC James Neidig
1 y
SPC Michael Budzinski
I Was Always Glad To See Anyone Get Promoted Who Deserved It !
If They Didn’t Deserve It ,
Get Rid Of Them.
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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?
SFC Stephen Everett
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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.
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SGT Automated Logistical Specialist
SGT (Join to see)
1 y
Thank you SFC.
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LTC Matthew Schlosser
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This reminds me of a lot of sad sacks in the Clinton RIFs. When my old man was an E-7, they offered him a direct commission (he had a masters and like 12-15 years at that time). He declined. Those who accepted were the first ones cut in the RIF, the reasoning being that they could go back to being E-7s...after losing a bunch of years of progress as NCOs. Since they successfully/honorably held the rank of Captain, they'd be able to retire as Captains, but since my dad said no, he retired as a Sergeant Major. I know which I prefer! A retired SGM gets treated like a colonel for life!
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CW3 Richard Doty
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Sort of an odd story. While assigned in Frankfurt, our office was in the IG Farben Building, aka the Abrams Building. I knew an SFC who was in the legal office (IIRC), but I noticed that he had wings. I assumed they were crew wings, but after looking at them one day I realized that they were an aviator badge. He had been an OCS grad who served as a pilot in Vietnam, and then was subsequently RIFed. It happens. I didn't see him for a while, and one day he was in his greens with WO1 bars. Apparently he had gotten a call from aviation branch and was offered an appointment as an aviation warrant. It seems they needed qualified people in his aircraft. He was headed back for a refresher course, then off to the Army as a Warrant.
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Capt Gilbert Nelson
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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.
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SPC Michael Budzinski
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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.
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