Should I pursue becoming a Commissioned or a Warrant officer?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 18:16:39 -0400

Some background; My overall goal is to become an Army Officer, I feel that I can lead soldiers and teach what is needed, while learning where it’s needed. However I’ve thought myself in a bit of a dilemma?
With become a Commisioned Officer how long could I go? Could I continue to let’s say 40 years? (Which would be before my 65 birthday) or would it just be easier to become a warrant officer since ( I just found out that you TIS clock for 30 years restarts?)
Any advice is helpful. Thanks in advance?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 6:52 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 18:52:23 -0400

Elaborate, OK? Assocs? Bach? Majors? Grades? GPA? Must it be Army? Would you try other svcs? What field? Which MOS, AFSC, or Navy rate? I only ask to offer alternatives...if you want clinical, engineering, or IT, you have till 44 for USPHS direct commission...let me send this I’ll send more....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 6:53 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 18:53:01 -0400

http://www.ocsfoundation.org

Look at this really in depth....

OCS Foundation

SERVICES FOR: Candidates Alumni Officer Families

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 6:53 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 18:53:39 -0400

http://www.usphs.gov

Look through this at all the clin and no clin fields....

www.usphs.gov

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 6:54 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 18:54:56 -0400

Look at USCG direct commission programs for Ois, as opposed to OCS...you doubtless know of the Army direct commission cyber program, Navy just reopened WO1 for cyber recently as well....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 6:55 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 18:55:32 -0400

I was Army ROTC then went USAF OTS....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 6:56 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 18:56:11 -0400

Trust me elaborate I’ll try to suggestmoreok?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2018 7:03 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 19:03:06 -0400

The rule states for commissioned officer 28 years as a commissioned officer up to lieutenant colonel. 30 years maximum commission Service as a colonel. Major generals of State adjutant General's age 62. General higher than that 64 to 66 depending on the needs of the military. Warrant officer 62 years old. Actually, most officers are kicked out by the time they hit 60.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Sep 3 at 2018 8:06 PM

SGT Jim Ramge, MBA — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 20:06:51 -0400

This day in age, there is a lot to consider... First and foremost, what are your personal goals - beyond that of the arm chair quartbacks here on RP? You haven’t really told us your goals, what you hope to achieve? Personally, would suggest you look at that before you go further! Then decide whether you want to be a Staffer or a Technician. Both can can Command troops, yes, a Warrant can be a CO Commander. Unless 05/06 as a WO you could be recalled during wartime efforts serving well into your mid 60s up to age 70 as my father was!
A technician/WO will be granted many more chances to be free of the BN/BDE BS with similar pay for the junior levels. When you start getting into the W3/W4/W5 pay you’d need to stay 30 yrs, to consider the time and years verse that of a LTC/COL with 22/24 yrs do you want to give the extra time?
Do you want to be really good at one job or lead up to 5K troops? You can have the same amounts of responsibility in monetary value signed for in equipment, depending on assignment and MOS!
Most of the time WO show up to work and go home, PT exclusions, formations, etc... The regular Officers are typically supposed to be there the entire time for show of the CO/1SG.
Warrants normally don’t get screwed with... If they were good that is!
Will bow-out and let my other Brethren jump in with some good advice! Mine might be old news...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 9:54 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 21:54:35 -0400

Trust me, call them, ask to speak with their recruiters, the statute for them allows warrants, they’ve just never had them, like USAF stopped having them....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 9:56 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 21:56:01 -0400

There’s been a lot of debate about having USPHS warrants, they also had an Inactive Reserve, it was shut down s few yrs ago, God knows why, it was a really good idea....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 9:58 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 21:58:48 -0400

And elsborate, if you go cons don’t or warrant you’re gonna need a masters or PhD ASAP to do 20-30 yrs, been there done that (BTDT), as well as PME for your svc and other svcs, I assure you....

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Sep 3 at 2018 9:59 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 21:59:19 -0400

That’s why the more I know, the more I can suggest....

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Sep 4 at 2018 8:38 AM

LTC Eugene Chu — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 08:38:19 -0400

Along with path, consider what qualifications that you currently have. As others have mentioned, age can be a limit for some commissioning programs. Education also matters since commissioned officers must have undergraduate degree and Army prefers warrant officer candidates who have associate degree. Along with time in service limits, think about life and school timeline too.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2018 3:06 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Sep 2018 15:06:44 -0400

So....what kind of WO would you want to be? Most WO applicants are expected to have some documented experience in a career field (pilot is different). Officers can frankly just come off the street as long as they have a degree and write up a convincing Green-to-Gold packet.

Also note that you can only serve 30 years total Warrant Officer service so if you do get appointed before 10 years, you wont make it to 40. Also, with the future of 'up-or-out' in question, retention over the years is unknown.