I am looking at becoming a Warrant Officer or a Regular Officer in the Army. What are the Retention Points and Promotion Rates for both?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 17:03:43 -0500

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2016 5:17 PM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 17:17:55 -0500

The people who can best answer those questions are the Commissioned Officer and the Warrant Officer Recruiters. Good luck

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2016 7:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 19:18:50 -0500

I can't speak for the WO side of the house (it's pretty much a secret society and no one else really knows who they operate), but on the Officer wide of the house I can tell you that there is no simple answer to that question unfortunately. Promotion to O-2 is more or less automatic unless you really screw the pooch (DUI, DV, etc). Promotion to O-3 is super high as well. After that it's varies widely based on AOC (officer version of MOS). For my AOC I believe the promotion rate to O-4 was around 45% for the first look. For the second look I believe it jumped to 75% or so. Above that point it continues to get more competitive. With my enlisted time I doubt I stay past O-4 anyhow so that's not a big deal for me. I'm not sure if there is a place on the HRC site where you can see promotion rates by AOC or not. Perhaps some of the more senior officers can chime in with that info.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2016 8:41 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 20:41:03 -0500

Cant really speak for the Warrant side but for officers I believe its pretty consistent across all fields and branches. Up to captain is automatic with time in service. Takes 4 years. Most Captains who stick around long enough and stay out of trouble make it to Major, 6 to 8 years. From there it gets more difficult. These days you likely will need your masters in order to promote to LTC and above.

Response by CW4 Brian Haas made Dec 11 at 2016 9:55 PM

CW4 Brian Haas — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 21:55:22 -0500

What job are you wanting? Going flight? My advice would be to research which route makes you happy in the job you're doing. The promotions will take care of themselves as long as you're doing the right thing. If you're looking at doing 20 or more, the higher paying retirement would be on the RLO side.

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Dec 12 at 2016 1:56 PM

LTC Joseph Gross — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 13:56:49 -0500

The good news is that, on the officer side, the requirements for promotion are generally low enough that as long as you do a good job and stay out of trouble you shouldn't have any trouble getting promoted to at least O-5. Beyond that it is a crap shoot. All of this can change very quickly based on downsizing or the next war. Pick the right Branch and do well and you'll do fine!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2016 2:41 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 14:41:17 -0500

2 years ago, my assession NCO told me that selection for CW2 was 87%, and there is a demand for walking warrants.

Response by SFC George Smith made Dec 13 at 2016 11:12 AM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 11:12:49 -0500

The warrants are a great way to go , and carry a lot of weight and responsibility for the rank...
my only regret was not going warrant in the late 80s... and being able to stay till i was 60 ...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2017 3:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 15:45:53 -0500

I have my packet for the board at the end of January so here is hoping to join the warrant ranks. 15 years in and I wish I would have done it much sooner. Go to the usarec warrant officer recruiting page and you can find the next brief in your area as well as can talk to a warrant officer recruiter. Promotion rates are usually in the brief but run 50-90% and warrants can serve over 30 years