Is it possible to be a Aviation Warrant Officer in the Army and then switch over to the Air Force?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 14:45:57 -0400

If so, what rank structure in the Air Force is equivalent to the Army's warrant officer rank structure?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2020 3:46 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 15:46:35 -0400

The Air Force has no equivalent rank structure to warrant officer. You would have to get commissioned to be a pilot in the Air Force.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Jul 13 at 2020 3:49 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 15:49:06 -0400

USAF has the legal authority to use the W1-W5 warrant officer rank structure, but chooses not to.

"The United States Air Force no longer uses the warrant officer grade. The USAF inherited warrant officer ranks from the Army at its inception in 1947, but their place in the Air Force structure was never made clear. When Congress authorized the creation of two new senior enlisted ranks in each of the five services in 1958 (implementing them in 1959–1960), Air Force officials privately concluded that these two new "super grades" of senior master sergeant and chief master sergeant (styling the incumbents as "superintendents" vice senior or staff NCOICs as does the USA and USMC) could fill all Air Force needs then performed at the warrant officer level. This was not publicly acknowledged until years later. The Air Force stopped appointing warrant officers in 1959.

The last active-duty Air Force chief warrant officer, CWO4 James H. Long, retired in 1980. The last Air Force Reserve chief warrant officer, CWO4 Bob Barrow, retired in 1992. Upon his retirement, Barrow was honorarily promoted to CWO5, the only person in the Air Force ever to hold this grade."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrant_officer_(United_States)

Warrant_officer_(United_States)

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Jul 13 at 2020 4:05 PM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 16:05:03 -0400

There may be a way to do it, just keep in mind that to be a pilot in the USAF, you have to have a 4 year college degree. You would then be a commissioned officer in the USAF (probably a O-1 or O-2).

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jul 13 at 2020 5:11 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 17:11:39 -0400

Why would you want to be a staff officer in the AF when you could spend the rest of your career in a cockpit as an Army Aviation WO? The AF is having a tough time retaining quality pilots because they get very little "stick" time and a whole lot of "desk" time as compared to other branches. The AF does not utilize the WO ranks (authorized but not used). A minimum of a four year degree is required to be a commissioned officer in the AF. Personally, I'd pursue the Army Aviation track if possible. You'll likely end up with more cockpit time in the end.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 13 at 2020 8:20 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 20:20:00 -0400

You do know that there are a lot less WO's in the USAF right? Also I have never seen an aviation warrant in the USAF, some Maintenance /weapons types but no flyers.

Response by LCDR Keith Trepanier made Jul 14 at 2020 9:42 AM

LCDR Keith Trepanier — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 09:42:44 -0400

Yes it is possible. But in order to do it, you still have to meet the qualifications to be an AF pilot to transition. Meaning you have to have a bachelors degree. If you transition, you will transition from being a Warrant Officer to a Commissioned officer. Many years ago, there was an aggressive program by the Air Force trying to bring helicopter pilots over. You would do an interservice transfer, go to OTS then go to the helicopter transition course and boom you were an Air Force pilot. A couple of my friends went through the program. One is a senior officer flying the Osprey now. I went through the process as well but timing didn't work out in the end so I went and flew for the Coast Guard instead.

I'm not sure what the process would be today but I'm sure there is still a way.

Response by MAJ Ronnie Reams made Jul 14 at 2020 10:34 AM

MAJ Ronnie Reams — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 10:34:40 -0400

Flight Officer, but have not seen one in quite a while and I go to SJAFB on a monthly basis.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Jul 16 at 2020 11:36 AM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 11:36:45 -0400

https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/996754/first-two-enlisted-pilots-complete-solo-flights/

First two enlisted pilots complete solo flights

Two Air Force master sergeants became the first enlisted Airmen in six decades to complete solo flights during Initial Flight Training at the 1st Flying Training Squadron Nov. 3.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 1 at 2020 1:04 AM

CMSgt James Nolan — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 01:04:48 -0400

No WOs in AF anymore. Too hard to get them into a formation. (That was meant as humor for those that don’t get it).
As someone who bounced around, aLOT. Life can be harder than you need it to be. My advice is that if you can find that career you love, stay there. I get that sometimes you have to take the winding road. Just saying.