I can't wait to be a Warrant Officer! Any advice?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 03:14:58 -0400

I love being a soldier. I love the job I do. But deep down I know I can do a lot more than what I'm doing. I don't know any PBOs that are Warrant Officers so I haven't gotten any advice on it. I'm even considering being a pilot. I just know that being enlisted isn't the way for me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 4:02 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 04:02:01 -0400

Good job setting goals and having high expectations for yourself. Make progress every day!

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 16 at 2015 7:22 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 07:22:39 -0400

Be fully prepared for the written exam and physical test & good luck.. I would suggest asking WOs or CWOs what were the exam questions they were asked... Anyhow this is what most Senior Staff NCOs did in my Reserve Unit in Boston MA when they applied for the few open WO slots which were keyed to their MOS

I recall the Warrant Exams tested your knowledge of your MOS... if that is any help or probably what you already knew???

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 10:33 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 10:33:01 -0400

I went through WOCS with two PBO's. Great individuals. I will try to look for their contact information and connect you with them. If you are considering two specialties I would place them both on your application. Should something go wrong at flight school (Flight Physical, injury, etc.) you will have another job to switch to without reverting back to the enlisted grades. This should be the page for any information you need regarding the packet: http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/index.shtml

All too often I see posts and conversations containing assumptions and incorrect information when the correct information is easily found on USAREC's website.

Good luck!

U.S. Army Recruiting Command's Warrant Officer Recruiting Information Site

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 11:43 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 11:43:27 -0400

Where are you in the process--Have you applied? Was accepted? Waiting on school?

That is wonderful to have set/met an immensely rewarding goal irrespective of where you are in the process. As a WO and specialist in your tradecraft, you will have great opportunities both in your MOS as well as leadership.

Keep us posted! :)

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 11:50 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 11:50:54 -0400

Thank you everyone! I really am a big believer in advice and I greatly appreciate all of it. I hope to keep everyone posted on my progress for the future

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2015 11:51 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 11:51:30 -0400

It follows my one least idiot rule, same rule I apply at traffic lights, I always take the shortest line because then I am behind one least idiot. Same with making rank and getting a commission it lowers the probability of working for an idiot. Here is a pictorial illustration of a less than intelligent driver. The would be the guy in the McLaren, I was not behind him for long.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Oct 16 at 2015 1:02 PM

CMSgt Mark Schubert — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:02:16 -0400

Wow - " juggernaut NCO"? Well - I don't know about that! :-)
I would say it seems as if your "deep down" is telling you something - and I'd listen to it if I were you! At one point early in my career, I too had an inkling to be an officer in the AF - I did apply and the application went nowhere - and looking back, it seems it was all part of HIS plan! So, with that said, go for it - you will find out soon enough. Just remember that your plans may not be His plans and it's always better to go with HIS plan in the end! Good luck!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 16 at 2015 5:45 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:45:46 -0400

Don't piss off the grey haired old men. <<<<<<<<<< OK I don't know why I wrote that.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Oct 17 at 2015 2:01 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 02:01:12 -0400

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member Do not take this as being critical. You say that you love being a solder, and your job..but know that being enlisted is not the way.
I would ask you to think about why that is.
Is it just because you want more responsibility? Is it because you feel that you are treated like bottom of the food chain? Because that view changes rapidly. And good leaders remember how good leaders took care of troops.
I think it is great to strive for advancement and responsibility. Chase it. Seek out your full potential.
The only guaranteed way to be told no, is not to ask.
But know this, the job of the enlisted, is different than the WO and that is different from the O.

Good luck.

Response by CSM Carl Cunningham made Oct 17 at 2015 5:02 PM

CSM Carl Cunningham — Sat, 17 Oct 2015 17:02:07 -0400

I would love to know the "why" on why you think enlisted is not for you, and what you think being a warrant officer is about? I cannot accurately give advice if I do not have the context of your perceptions.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 10:06 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 22:06:44 -0400

I have some Soldiers I work directly with the same feeling... I'll give you the same advice. Speaking from the Tech warrant side: Focus on being an outstanding NCO first, that is one of the keys to being selected for WO. As a tech WO, you'll most likely start at BDE or BN staff. Unlike O-grades, you have to know what it's like to be in the shoes of the Squad Leaders and Platoon Sergeants you are supervising/training/guiding as that experience is what is expected of tech WOs. I'm not saying don't set goals, but focus on the now, focus on Soldiering to get your stripes, then focus on becoming a great NCO.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 1:03 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:03:12 -0400

The best advice I give to young troops wanting to become Warrant Officers..."stay out of trouble." Stay on the right path, get good marks on your NCOERs, and you'll be fine.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 1:57 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:57:59 -0400

Take your time you are still young in rank. See what is like to be a NCO preferably SFC...I transitioned over at SFC and never looked back but some of my greatest and fondest memories were that as a SR. NCO. Strong NCO equals Strong Warrant!!! Good Luck!

CW3 Martinez

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 5:52 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 17:52:48 -0400

SPC Williams, my best advice to you is to consider what you love about being a soldier. If you love the troops, being around them, teaching them, watching them learn and develop, then stay an NCO. If you want to take charge, to be responsible for the unit, to have authority to establish and implement policy, go to OCS and get your commission. And if you love the job that you do, to see the mission succeed, to ensure that it happens the right way every time (or as close to it as possible), become a warrant officer. Being a technician has a lot of perks (the respect is second to none, believe me), but it does not come easily or lightly. Be sure of what you want out of your career before you make the decision.

Response by CW4 Jim Cote made Oct 22 at 2015 7:46 PM

CW4 Jim Cote — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 19:46:45 -0400

SPC,
"I know that I can do more than what I'm doing". What thoughts all successful Warrant Officer Candidates have in common. The Army provides great opportunities as a 920A. I spent a year in Afghanistan (2012) as a Logistics Advisor to coalition forces and never felt so needed, challenged and self fulfilled! Getting that first "dot" is really a big deal! Once a candidate, you'll prove more to yourself than you can ever realize. So ask questions, satisfy yourself (If you are married, bring your wife into it the decision), explore the many opportunities as a 920A, and make the decision of your life!
If you choose to join us, don't allow anything to stand in your way. Persevere, don't cut corners, be true to yourself and never take no for an answer.
Good luck,

Chief
CW4 Jim Cote (PAARNG Ret List - 37 yrs)

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Nov 5 at 2015 10:33 PM

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 22:33:10 -0500

Know everything there is to know about your MOS. Go to every school related to your MOS. Be the "go to guy" when someone has a question. Be a leader. All too often the Army is allowing Soldiers to become WO’s before they are ready – don’t be that guy.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 7 at 2019 9:52 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Tue, 07 May 2019 21:52:43 -0400

Get a letter of recommdation from a cw3 or above.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Jun 3 at 2019 1:04 PM

LTC Eugene Chu — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 13:04:44 -0400

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member This post is from October 2015. Did you go to WOC or did circumstances change for you?