Making the switch from Enlisted to Warrant Officer

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 19:44:59 -0500

I am giving a lot of thought to attempting a Warrant Officer Packet. Being an 11C (Mortarman) my choices are limited. So, like most in my position I have chosen 153A Rotary Wing Pilot. I love my profession but being that I enlisted late in life (31 to be exact) I am looking forward as to what will benefit me more when I decide to ETS and what is something I would really enjoy doing. Any guidance, experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2013 8:26 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:26:38 -0500

If you are thinking this much about it, do it now. I made the mistake of waiting until I had certain "checks in the block" before applying for a program here in the Navy that would have taken me into the Commissioned route with in my Rate (MOS), and it took longer then expected. Now I am too far along in my career and over the Time in Service limit to even apply. Looking back I would have had enough to be selected prior to this point base on friends of mine getting accepted. When you have the opportunity, take it.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Nov 13 at 2013 11:48 AM

CPT Brandon Christensen — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 11:48:28 -0500

After talking with a few warrants in my BDE, the best advice they could give me (as I am thinking of switching from officer to warrant after I make CPT) is to shadow a warrant in the branch you want to go into. And not talk to just one, but as many as you can. They also mentioned to talk with some of the senior NCO's in that field to get their input about what the warrants do and the culture of them. Each branch will be different.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2013 2:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 14:19:39 -0500

All I have to say is that those in National Guard should confirm that there are openings for Warrant Officers. If I were to go Warrant, I'd be promoting myself out of a job.

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2013 4:59 PM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 16:59:26 -0500

I waited longer than was probably necessary, almost 5 years. As soon as you meet the requirements don’t hesitate and drop your packet. I was always one requirement short, before a new requirement was needed. In my opinion the benefits of being a warrant are awesome. You get paid to do what you love for the rest of your career. Unlike the enlisted and officer ranks that seems to move further away from their MOS the higher they moved up the ranks. Keep in mind that signal and mobility are open to any MOS, not just aviation.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2013 10:09 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 22:09:46 -0500

I have almost 11 years of active duty service and the question is always being asked in the back of my mind and I am still interested just not sure what route to go. I have horrible sight so flying is not an option. I recently switched MOS's to a different branch which gives me better opportunity to feed into warrant officer positions. You have to look at the Warrant Officer recruiting page, not ALL warrant officer MOS's require a feeder MOS. You just have to go through one by one and see what the requirements are. Some actually require some college education, specific certifications or knowledge in a certain field (mind you a lot of this can be waived).

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2013 12:17 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:17:39 -0500

SGT Howard,

Recently on the Warrant Recruiting website there was a message posted listing various MOS's that were currently experiencing shortages for board packets, with 153A being one of them. They stated that selection chances for 2014 were "extremely high". This probably changed, since the entire message is no longer on the main page of the website.

While you cannot be older than 33 at the time of your board convene date, they do make exceptions for age for "applicants with exceptional qualifications and only on a case by case basis".

There are other Warrant MOS's that you can feed into from Infantry, such as UMO and I believe a networking job, however I do not know the other prerequisites.

The Army NO longer uses the AFAST as the criteria for potential rotary wing pilots. The new test is the "SIFT", and I do not believe there is a study guide available. I have personally been studying different sections from an AFAST study guide, as well as sections from Marine Corps/Navy/Air Force flight tests. Another book called "Principles of Helicopter Flight" (W. J. Wagtendonk) is a very useful book and packed full of information!

A minimum score of 40 on the SIFT is required for flight school, with a maximum score of 80. It is not a paper test, and as far as I know all education centers administer the SIFT electronically, simply requiring a signed 4187 by your commander. Test results are immediate.

Hope this helps!

Response by CW4 Richard A. Dropik made Nov 17 at 2013 11:16 AM

CW4 Richard A. Dropik — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 11:16:13 -0500

I did in 1963, the best move ever made. Made CW4 in less than 20 years of service.<div>I was a 632A, Senior Maintenance/Logistic Officer, all good other than the year and a half in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. Overall the best duty in the Military.</div><div>Retired in 1978with 20+ years and doing very well. Never turn down an opportunity to</div><div>to serve in the Warrant Officer Corp. </div>

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2013 1:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 13:00:46 -0500

Thanks for all of the feedback. I have done some research into what the requirements are. the only waiver I would need is for my age. I am good on Pt, my GT is 127, I have received very good NCOER's and I feel that my most difficult task will be brushing up on the tasks in the test. I have downloaded the information from the Warrant Officer Recruiting site with the subtests to get an idea of what to expect. I have also signed up on one of the links on AKO that help you brush up on math, reading and vocabulary skills (OASC I believe). I want to be prepared as possible before even attempting to take the SIFT. Unfortunately I do not have much opportunity to "shadow" a Warrant in my unit but I will definitely seek one out to get as much advice and feedback as possible. I appreciate all of the responses and advice.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Nov 17 at 2013 1:44 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Sun, 17 Nov 2013 13:44:54 -0500

Yes I have and I have assisted more than 40 others in the last 20 years.

Response by CW4 William Van Almsick made Nov 21 at 2013 9:42 PM

CW4 William Van Almsick — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 21:42:11 -0500

By all means, apply. 1979 I was a 12B Combat Engineer with absolutely no aviation experience but I had a strong desire to become an Army Aviator. I past the FAST and went to WOCD and then flight school. I retired as a CW4 in 1999.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2013 8:34 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 08:34:56 -0500

Just a FYI update on the Warrant Officer cutoff for submission of packets. I am going to try and fast track this and hopefully have my packet submitted. I greatly appreciate all of the feedback, advice and experiences that everyone has shared. Message on the USAREC website:<div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/">http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/</a><br><div><br></div><div><ul style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong>18 NOV 13</strong><strong> - Deadline for the JANUARY board is EXTENDED to <u>27 DEC 13 </u>for the following MOSs: 150U, 153A, 352N, 352S, 353T, 880A, and 881A. Bottom Line: We are still short applicants applying for 150U, 153A, 352N, 352S, 353T, 880A, and 881A! If you have the prerequisite experience for these Warrant Officer MOS' and the desire to submit a packet, then your chances of being selected on the second board of FY 14 is extremely HIGH!</strong></li></ul></div></div>

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2013 11:46 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 11:46:30 -0500

I am now considering Warrant as one of my options for career advancement. I'd never considered it before but I've realized that I must be open to change to see what paths I have the possibility to take towards my career progression.

I have a meeting on Monday with a CW3 to weigh the pros and cons of the Warrant program.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 24 at 2014 6:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 18:30:15 -0500

SGT Anderson,<div><br></div><div>The HQUSAREC warrant officer recruiting page normally has the most up to date information out there. As a recruiter I am constantly referring people to that we page. I know in your post you are looking for a little more in depth answer so my suggestion and I know this works for people, go to the contact us section and look up the POC for the region to which you are currently assigned and give them a call. They are a great group of people and you will be sure to get your answer from the source. Good luck with your packet.</div><div><br></div><div>SFC Adam J Rosenlund</div>

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 11 at 2014 2:41 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Apr 2014 14:41:24 -0400

SGT Anderson,

I hope you're still working on this. Unfortunately I think you are to late for the current board however I received a note recently from the SIG Center stating among other things that this board has a shortage of people applying for 255A and 255N. They actually extended the board date out due to it. The note also said that branch would CONSIDER exceptions to the NCOER rule. While you have missed this board, you might consider submitting it for the next one. I can't make any promises that they will actually grant the weaver but you never know until you try.

Best of luck to you.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 8:54 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 20:54:07 -0400

No one messes with the Chief, do it. I thought there was an age cut off for aviators, I think its 33, if you enlisted at age 31, your clock is definitely ticking down.

If you are too late for aviation, look at the feeder MOSs and prereqs for technical WOs. Good luck!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2015 6:15 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 06:15:59 -0500

I am also considering switching from enlisted to warrant as 92A but was told by a CW3 to waite until I hit around 9 years due the downsize in the Army. I meet all the requirements and antoher issue I am facing is that I am overseas (SWA) on a joint assignment with no senior warrant officers, any thoughts and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2017 12:11 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 12:11:24 -0500

Good Afternoon to all. I am about to ask a couple questions and would prefer some honest feedback. I am a 12 year SSgt in the USAF and have been getting my package and paperwork together to become a Warrant. I work in the Air Trans field and would match up the 882A perfectly. Does anyone on here have prior knowledge of AF seeking to leave and become a Warrant. I have plenty of real deployments working joint missions as well as operations. Any help would be wonderful.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Jul 27 at 2022 2:11 PM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 14:11:19 -0400

You must have an enlisted MIS applicable to a Warrant Officer. If not I can’t help u!!!