Planning on going from engineer officer 12A to engineer warrant officer 120A. What does this process look like?

2LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 20:03:43 -0500

Current national guard and prior 12T, I would like to resign my commission after 10 years to become a warrant officer in my same branch. I have civilian geotechnical engineering and construction experience, and project management. What would this process look like especially when trying to bring it up to my senior rater as a future military goal? I love leading soldiers and planning training for them, but I still have that itch to be the guy doing the math and technical stuff on site instead of having to attend what seems like perpetual meetings. Im aware that once I resign my commission, I might not ever get it back until I hit CW2. I was told that EBOLC and ROTC will basically count as the WOCS "equivalent" so I dont have to do that over again. How about EWOBC?

Response by CW3 Richard Doty made Dec 28 at 2025 8:54 PM

CW3 Richard Doty — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 20:54:22 -0500

Joey, my experiences are ancient, so take them with a five-pound bag of salt. I actually knew an MI guy who resigned his commission as a captain to accept a warrant. I don't recall if it was WO1 or CW2. Either way, from personal experience, being a warrant officer was a blast! I got to do all the hands-on stuff AND got to be a leader. I was never going to be a battalion commander, but then, my commanders were never going to get to do what I was doing. I would suggest giving the warrant officer in charge of that branch a call and discussing options from his or her perspective. He or she will be the person that you'll likely deal with on that side of the house. Once you get answers there, that will give you more concrete information to approach your current boss.