If an NCO approached you asking about staying Enlisted vs Warrant vs Officer, what would you say? If an NCO or junior enlisted Soldier approached you with the aforementioned question, what advice would you recommend and why?

If an NCO approached you asking about staying Enlisted vs Warrant vs Officer, what would you say?

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Posted 12 y ago

MSG Morgan,<div> </div><div>I once had dinner with Colonel who had been all of the above. His words As an enlisted man he wanted to make changes and couldn't. As a Warrant he couldn't make large changes but the Officers listened more to him. Then as an Officer there was still people who didn't care what he said. But he could influence more by setting the example and leading all under him. </div><div> </div><div>Just a thought.</div><div> </div><div>V/R</div><div> </div><div>1SG Haro</div>

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MSG (Join to see)

12 y

1SG

Interesting point. A LTC I was deployed with was enlisted, attended OCS and subsequently became commissioned. Prior to leaving OEF, he wanted to change from Officer to Warrant in order to remain on active duty longer.

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CW2 (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

SSG Hasbun,=) I can’t
help it but back in the day when I did my last promotion board. One of the
questions asked was "What is LEADERSHIP?" Leadership is influencing
people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to
accomplish the mission and improving the organization. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Leadership
is not a skill set that is cornered by NCOs, Warrant Officers or Generalist
Officers. I ask that you please not say Warrant Officers are not Leaders.
Thru our Technical Skill set we do indeed provide purpose, direction, and
motivation IOT accomplish the CDR’s mission. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Here is
how I look at it:<o:p></o:p>

If you
think that person would be the great as the next CSM of the Army, Air Force, Navy
or Marines one day… Then Please stay Enlisted.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

If they REALLY
enjoy their current job and DO NOT want to PROMOTE themselves out of that Skill
or environment… Then Please go Warrant. Even after I am promoted to CW5 I will
stay in the maintenance field “for the most part”<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

If you can
see yourself serving under them as your Commander one day… Then Please go Green-to-Gold.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

We ALL
LEAD soldiers in one way or another… I would just look at what that persons
future goals are.    <o:p></o:p>

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SSG Robert Burns

Posted 12 y ago

This is a very tough question because it depends on each and every soldier and how well you know them. I've helped soldier with warrnat packets, PA packets, and they are all very different.

I would encourage a soldier to stay enlisted if I think he has great interpersonal skills with dealing with "soldier" issues. It is important for senior leaders to not only know Soldier's but know why they do what they do. They need someone who can relate to them and empathize.

The only Warrant I've ever helped was for flight school. He just wanted to be a pilot. Too easy.

Officers I've helped were just great nurses/medics that showed an ability to take their education to a higher level. They not only were good at what they did but understood why they were doing it. They wanted to do more.

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SFC Michael Hasbun

Posted 12 y ago

It just depends on the individual and their skillset.  Brilliant kid who you think is wasted in their current position? Go commisioned.  Smart kid who's great at his job but not exactly "leader" material? Go Warrant.  Smart kid with great leadership potential? Stay enlisted. There's a 1000 other variables as well, to include temperament, education, communication skills, overall character, etc... There's no one "shake and bake" answer...

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SFC Michael Hasbun

12 y

CW3 Jones, as a warrant, your primary responsibility is to be a Subject Matter Expert, not to be a day to day leader of Soldiers. You're likely not going to be responsible for Soldier's counselings, finances, mental/emotional health, DUI's discipline, etc...  You won't be going on foot patrols, clearing buildings, leading convoys, or countless other tasks that NCO's and traditional (I say traditional because of the commisioning that happens after CW2) Commisioned Officers will be doing every day.That would be the NCO, which is why I think the leadership needs to be focused there.The reason I stress intellect and the Commisioned Officer route is that the Colonels, the Generals, those that make the MASSIVE decisions that affect all of us as a whole are all traditional Commisioned Officers, not NCO's or Warrants. If this kid is just a BRILLIANT mind, just a real wunderkind, I want him in the positions that will do the most good, to be a game changer. I want him to be the next Chief of Staff.

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SFC Michael Hasbun

12 y

Thank you 1SG, I appreciate it.

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CW5 (Join to see)

>1 y

SSG Hasbun and 1SG Porter,

I am concerned that your experience with warrant officers has given you a false impression of what a warrant office is supposed to be. Take a look at the definition of warrant officer. Certainly the definition identifies the warrant officer as a technical expert (too many stop reading the definition here-including SOME warrant officers), but they are ALSO combat leaders, trainers, and advisors.

Take a look at the duties of the 180A SF Warrant Officer, the 880 Marine Deck Officer, or the 420C Bandmaster. All of these warrant officer MOSs hold command.

Many warrant officers fill the role of platoon leader.

I can't speak for ALL warrant officers any more than you can for all NCOs. I have been a PL and Company XO dealing with Soldier marriage issues, finance issues, discipline issues, mental health issues and substance abuse issues etc. I spent countless hours on convoys logistic patrols, conducted PCCs and PCIs, ran ranges. I have been the guy the BC sought for advice when one of his 1SGs received a DUI and the guy another trusted when he needed to replace a couple of company commanders. I report to the PT formation everyday and outrun most of the formation.

I would like to apologize for those among my cohort who have eschewed your understanding of the warrant officer's role.

WOCC | WO Program

"The Army Warrant Officer (WO) is a self–aware and adaptive technical expert, combat leader, trainer, and advisor. Through progressive levels of expertise in assignments, training, and education, t...

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SFC Michael Hasbun

>1 y

What things are supposed to be, and what they are, are seldom the same. I have met a great many Warrants that were great. But sadly, I have met far more that were incompetent, dirtbag NCO's who wanted to not have to deal with Soldier issues while simultaneously making more money.. They ruin it for all the rest of the Warrants I'm afraid. But, I know all you have to choose from are the ones submitting packets, so it's a tough fix..

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MAJ Christopher Daily

Posted 11 y ago

This really has to do with the individual. Their motivation for wanting to be a Warrant or Commissioned Officer will make all of the difference. I have been all three and there are upsides and downsides of each. I am really happy with where I am now as a Company Commander and can't think of anything I would rather be doing than leading Soldiers. Here is my response for each:

NCO: I loved leading Soldiers and that is really important. Your guys know if you really care. The pay is significantly different than an Officer's so this is a factor. (Raising a family and retirement should be a consideration) You will really have a limited ability to change the way your unit does business, unit dependent. At some point you will have to stop doing your MOS and simply become a leader and adviser.

Warrant: You are known to be a subject matter expert if you are a Warrant. Sure there are some young pilot types, but your job is to know as much about your MOS and to be a Subject Matter Expert in your field. There are very few Leadership positions opened to Warrants (A few PL and Command Positions) but they are only for a few years. There are, however, plenty of staff jobs and instructor jobs. You will be doing less with the private snuffy and more working to advise your BN CDR on how not to get everyone killed at the next LFX.
So you get to be more independent but directly lead less. That is why I went Commissioned.

Commissioned: There are many great things about being an officer. Better pay, more responsibility, better career opportunities, you get to work next to senior NCOs who have lots of great advice and lessons learned to pass on to you, and you are only limited by yourself, time, and 350-1. You will have a lot of stress, many deadlines, and you must be willing to accept failure and move on at times, but, when you succeed and your Soldiers succeed it is awesome. Oh and you get your own office. Seriously, it is great. And free cake. Did I mention the free beer?

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1LT (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

It depends on the Soldier and their skills, their qualifications, and the mood the Army is in that day. My advice is: Find something you love and do it for money, even if that thing you love is killing people with indirect fire.
On that note, keep multiple pots going on the range. Complete the AA/AS for green to gold or the BA/BS for OCS while ensuring you meet the requirements of your warrant field and stay focused on meeting all the requirements for promotion under DA PAM 600-25. A lot of this stuff overlaps.

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MSG (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

CW3 Jones, I think it would depend on their work ethic, character, values and ultimately what would fit them the best. I would sit them down and chalk up goals and passions to figure out which would be best for them. I'd recommend they sit down with a few commissioned or warrant officers to get further guidance on the specifics. As a leader, being honest with them would be most important.

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LTC (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

I believe that CW2 Goodman hit the proverbial nail on the head. Personal preference of the individual matters, but as a leader you have to judge and give your honest opinion of where you see that person's skill set making the most difference. In the end when both of those things are brought together, I believe that the best people for the most part will follow the career path that they are meant to be in.

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MSG (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

Stay NCO! That was the dumb response I used to give. I'd have to know the person. Don't recommend people on themselves and their goals. Recommend them on the goals of our future leaders. They don't have to possess everything before you counsel and recommend. They just need the potential. If this junior is a leader, I would try to influence them at the highest level. If the soldier is smart as a whip maybe warrant would benefit everyone best. If the soldier is a motivator, NCO is good. All have to mirror. I don't ever regret staying an NCO. hard being an officer. When I was coming up, NCOs could make mistakes and learn from them. Warrants and commissions were held to a higher standard. Nowadays. All mirror. Nobody can mess up.

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SGM Matthew Quick

Posted 12 y ago

Officers - Commands the execution of orders

Warrant Officers - Technical experts to specific fields

NCOs - Enforces standards and the orders to be carried out
Soldiers - The workhorses of any unit/industry

Just like our government, their must be a separation of powers for balance.

Hope I'm on the right track

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MSG (Join to see)

12 y

MSG Quick…..you were close. I'll give you a B+ :o)

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SGM Matthew Quick

12 y

Better than 'average' ... I'll try harder ;)

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If an NCO approached you asking about staying Enlisted vs Warrant vs Officer, what would you say?

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