How would you describe what a Warrant Officer is and what they do to a civilian?

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:02:02 -0500

This isn't a joke (though this image is hilarious). I was just asked by a civilian to explain what a warrant officer is and it's not easy. Try it sometime - it's harder than you think.

How would you explain the Warrant officer ranks, roles, responsibilities to a civilian with limited understanding of the military?

How do you describe their unique skillset to civilian employers?

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 5:07 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:07:15 -0500

If only I had a dollar for everyone of these WO Rank explanation memes.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 5:07 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:07:31 -0500

SSG Carlos Madden Lord, who knows. I mean, they're supposed to be more of a technical expert in the field than those of senior enlisted rank, but not in a leadership position that a commissioned officer is. They are those that walk between the rows?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Feb 21 at 2018 5:11 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:11:28 -0500

Warrant Officers by definition are experienced technical supervisors, which is why in the old days they were normally grizzled NCO's you wanted to keep. They are the technical expert in their fields- not all fields have warrants either. Aviation, Maintenance, Ordnance, etc. Compare them to master electricians, plumbers, computer programmers etc. Know everything and can do anything with very little in their field.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Feb 21 at 2018 5:12 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:12:45 -0500

Swiped from the Navy, but appropriate.

We are technical experts, who utilize and manage specific systems for our MOS. These can be computer systems, such as maintenance or personnel systems, or equipment systems, such as helicopters or watercraft. For most of us, we are also the only ones who recruit and train our own replacements (I’ve pulled 4 into the Warrant Officer Cohort).

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 21 at 2018 5:36 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:36:56 -0500

Like the discriptions.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Feb 21 at 2018 5:38 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:38:19 -0500

I often use a technical field such as a union carpenter to describe the warrant officer. Any of the union jobs out there is a comparable example, where they start out as laborers and work up to skilled journeyman who drive the field with some being the supervisor on the job site and others being the tradesman and managers.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 5:40 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:40:20 -0500

Let's see. They grow mustaches and can't be bothered with petty things like formations.

All kidding aside, I look at WOs as experts in their field. If I need an answer, I assume they will have it.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Feb 21 at 2018 5:56 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:56:42 -0500

It's a former NCO who didn't want to deal with Soldiers anymore, so now they just do their jobs ;o)

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Feb 21 at 2018 8:41 PM

CW3 Jeff Held — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 20:41:34 -0500

I see the humor but worked my tail off to dispel the views of what a WO was. WO’s can Command, re-enlist, and hold senior level staff positions. We are leaders and technical experts.

Quick story; a 1LT decided to feel frisky and question my input to the scheme of maneuver. He was quite abrupt and frankly being a dork. I reminded him that “I was doing this shit since before he was finger-painting”. CDR, XO, CSM, and the rest of the staff laughed their asses off. That LT was pretty quiet from that point forward.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 12:06 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 00:06:35 -0500

Warrant officers are meant to be technical experts in their fields. I have met some who you know are working hard. And others that make everyone wonder where they are at 90% of the time. Luckily, I have known more of the former.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 4:03 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 04:03:39 -0500

Well, as far as flyingnjons in Aviation go, the Chief Warrant Officer the Instructor Pilot, the Aviation Safety Officer, Maintenance Test Pilot, or the Aviation Mission Survivability Officer when they are tracked after making Pilot in Command. That is the first step beyond simply being a Pilot (PI). At that point you are responsible for everything envolved with the aircraft and that mission as well as developing junior aviators. Additionally you have your tracked profession and additional duties (depending on where you are assigned) to worry about. The lives of your crew are the utmost of your responsibilities. I’m not too familiar with Texh Warrants, but when it comes to Aviation, we expect the best, to know your job, and to execute; whether it be a ring route, VIP mission support, Air Assault, or MEDEVAC. Never endanger the lives of your crew; but never fail a mission because of incompetence.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 22 at 2018 11:55 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 23:55:01 -0500

I once saw the office of a Master Warrant Officer. He had three large computer screens - before such things were fashionable. Anyway, I didn't see him there and assumed he was elsewhere. Then it dawned on me - he was in invisible mode. Master Warrant Officers can do such things. Oh yes! They can!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2018 3:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 15:07:19 -0500

I would say they are specific subject matter experts, and fall between the enlisted ranks and commissioned officer ranks.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2018 6:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 18:38:12 -0500

"How would I explain the Warrant officer ranks, roles, responsibilities to a civilian with limited understanding of the military?" I wouldn't. Lol

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2018 12:55 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Oct 2018 00:55:59 -0400

So, does this mean the USMC has 2 SPOTs?