Posted on Oct 27, 2013
Should the Air Force bring back Warrant Officers?
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First some background, the U.S. Air Force stopped producing Warrant Officers approximately four decades ago; in light of upcoming force structure changes, do you think that it is realistic to them back? If so, what are some of the associated pros and cons to consider? Has the Air Force suffered, is it better off... or does it even matter? The idea here is to begin an inter-service discussion on the merits of Warrant Officers in the AF, and in light of reducing budgets and change throughout the ranks, do we need to consider bringing them back? There's no right or wrong answers here, just an informed discussion on possibilities and precedents. I look forward to hearing your thoughts, so pull up a keyboard and let's get this thing started, thanks for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!
Air Force
Military Career
Promotions
Army
Warrant Officers
Edited 7 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 113
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Sir, I would have to say yes. In PATRIOT we have two types of warrants, Logistical and tactical. I firmly be live that having a logistical warrant is a great attribute to the branch. They are more than your average maintainer. They are sometimes a lifeline.
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When the AF was ordered to increase the number of Warrant Officer, it was also ordered to reduce the number of commissioned officers, which would have cost 120 Generals their jobs. The AF response was to cease the Warrant Officer program. Warrant Officers are still authorized in the AF, but it would reduce the officer ranks by over 40,000. Commissioned Officers in the AF are filling roles that are filled by Warrant Officers and NCO's in the other branches of service. Drones are normally operated by NCO's and enlisted in some branches, but by pilots in the AF. The Warrant Officer ranks also provide a means for some senior enlisted personnel to advance, a means that is denied them in the AF. I have always advocated bringing back the Warrant Officer program, but I don't think the senior Commissioned Officers would ever allow it.
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I'm very much a supporter of this and wouldn't be surprised if the call for this goes up in the future. I believe we have many units and AFSCs that could benefit from a manager or functional expert running programs. In these scenarios it would free up our Officers to command and SNCOs to manage our folks. Additionally I also posed this question to Lt Gen Thompson the AFLCMC/CC during his visit to Gunter and while he stated nothing was on the table, he was opened to the idea. I also brought this topic up to some Capts I was mentoring during a recent visit to SOS with the intent that they are future leaders who may have an opportunity to help enable this change. Sometimes the best way to move forward is to plant the seed and let it grow from there.
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It wouldn't be a bad idea to have the USAF's helicopter pilots become Warrant Officers.
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Capt Gregory Prickett
They could be fixed wing pilots too. There is no reason that pilots have to be commissioned officers.
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CWO2 Richard Rose
Captain, I know this is an old thread, but Chief Warrant Officers, CWO2 through CWO5 are commissioned officers.
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I think it could fill a vital re in the AF. There are many Jr/Sr NCOs that might might be in an AFSC that has limited promotion potential that could otherwise be promoted to WO and not have to fill a position with a 2LT or above and have the department function equal or great than having a commissioned officer. In the Army, our division level COMSEC custodians were always WOs. They had extensive training over the years and that is one way that could benefit both the AF and the member. Or even some maintenance shops wouldn't have to have so many commissioned officers etc.
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My experience with Army and Marine Corps Warrant Officers has always been positive on a personal level, but being that I joined the Air Force in 1987, have never experienced that rank in our branch. While I understand all the pros/cons, I do believe that SNCOs serve their purpose in mentoring willing and teachable Junior Officers in their maturation to leadership.
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I am a bit ignorant of what the role of WO's in the AF was. If they were brought back, what roles would they fill in?
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SFC Clark Adams
My father was a Master Sergeant in the AF as an A/C Structural Specialist in the 50's & 60's , there was a Warrant in his section until the lt was converted to a MSGT position. He was solicited to apply to be an A/C Maintenance Warrant in the Army but decline the travel opportunity to VN and retired. His retirement orders were signed by a Warrant in 1967. So I guess they did what Army Warrant do.
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Capt Gregory Prickett
The AF viewed the WOs as the equivalents of SMSgts and CMSgts. The creation of those ranks is what prompted them to stop appointing WOs, so I would imagine that if brought back, they would serve similar roles.
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