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!
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Warrant Officers
Edited 7 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 113
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I'll just mention this - I was at a "joint base" before there was joint bases.
The Army base I was stationed at was serviced by the nearby Air Force Base
for medical treatment. (The Army base had the only commissary)
There were two Physician Assistants.
The Army PA was a WO2
The Air Force PA was an E-7
Take it for what it is worth.
The Army base I was stationed at was serviced by the nearby Air Force Base
for medical treatment. (The Army base had the only commissary)
There were two Physician Assistants.
The Army PA was a WO2
The Air Force PA was an E-7
Take it for what it is worth.
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My take on the system after 20 long years is that the Air Force should maintain its current system. Enlisted personnel can already be commissioned "within" to the officer ranks, but as O-2s with an indicator as former enlisted (ie.. O-2E O-1E etc...). This system works out fine.
Having a senior "enlisted" person holding a commissioned officers duty position is not justifiable for the way of the Air Force Vision.
Having a senior "enlisted" person holding a commissioned officers duty position is not justifiable for the way of the Air Force Vision.
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I would love to be there with a bowl of popcorn when a 2LT would try to give an order to a W-4. That would have been more exciting than me pulling over an LTC for a speeding violation caught on radar at 20 over and him copping an attitude that as a private I had no authority to detain him. I got to use a well-practiced line, "Sir please don't confuse your rank with my authority." MP's have the equivalent grade to the base commander. I'd love to see a 2LT tell a W-4 what to do. I know he can but I'd still like to see the fight. Extra butter please. :-)"
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SSG Bob Teachout
Its the same thing with a 2 Lieu trying to give an order to a CSM or First Sgt.....
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Won't happen because the Chiefs are worried about losing their authority. Whenever the topic comes up, it's always the O's that value the experts but the top enlisted that say it'll "never happen".
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Before I’d left the Air Force there was talk about bringing back Warrant Officers because then Enlisted members would be able to be even command troops, fly, and other various tasks that Officers would either need assistance in or not bother with at all. It’s also cheaper to produce WO than it is to produce O-1 and above.
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Though I have been retired for 22 years, I would have to ask what would be the difference between the WO and the Senior and Chief Master Sergeants? Isn't the work already covered by the senior NCO? I was a Buck Sergeant. I think it was a valuable rank to field train a new NCO and prepare the Sgt to become a SSgt.
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use Warrant Officers for Special Services, Services officer(food service, mortuary affairs, billeting, library, recreation (mwr) and some other specialties .
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