Posted on Jun 22, 2015
The life of a Warrant Officer vs Commissioned Officer; which would you choose at age 35?
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Marine Corps Reservist here. I'm in a position in my career where I can go either warrant officer in the SMCR or commission in another reserve component branch.
However at 35, I don't like the idea of being a butter bar after 13-years of enlisted service. I like the idea of a warrant officer because of the respect that comes with the rank. People know you went through the ranks on the enlisted side first. However, I also don't like the idea of ranking under a butter bar.
I've looked at the DFAS pay chart and I can see that if I at least make it to CWO4 and retire with 30-years of service, I will make a little more than an 04. Basically, if I commission or go warrant and serve up to 30-years, I will make a very similar paycheck for retirement. I will just be forced to retire after 30-years as a warrant where I will be able to serve another 9-years (up to the age of 60) as a commissioned officer.
I'm just throwing facts and figures here. Not really sure how long I want to continue serving. I just know I'm not done yet. But with bachelors and masters degree, I don't want to stay enlisted.
The big question is who has a better life? I've heard that as a warrant, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds (enlisted and officer) whatever that means, whereas a commissioned officer will deal with more stress and politics.
I just want to get some feedback, what your feelings are, etc.
However at 35, I don't like the idea of being a butter bar after 13-years of enlisted service. I like the idea of a warrant officer because of the respect that comes with the rank. People know you went through the ranks on the enlisted side first. However, I also don't like the idea of ranking under a butter bar.
I've looked at the DFAS pay chart and I can see that if I at least make it to CWO4 and retire with 30-years of service, I will make a little more than an 04. Basically, if I commission or go warrant and serve up to 30-years, I will make a very similar paycheck for retirement. I will just be forced to retire after 30-years as a warrant where I will be able to serve another 9-years (up to the age of 60) as a commissioned officer.
I'm just throwing facts and figures here. Not really sure how long I want to continue serving. I just know I'm not done yet. But with bachelors and masters degree, I don't want to stay enlisted.
The big question is who has a better life? I've heard that as a warrant, you get to enjoy the best of both worlds (enlisted and officer) whatever that means, whereas a commissioned officer will deal with more stress and politics.
I just want to get some feedback, what your feelings are, etc.
Army National Guard
Warrant Officers
Officers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 65
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I'd hate to know the Marines better to answer this intelligently. In the Army, I can say that it would greatly depend on the individual. Some people are born diplomats, people persons, and politicians. Then there was me. By the time I was a crusty NCO neck deep in broken helicopters, I would have preferred to be a walking warrant. Aviation gets in your blood and the worst thing you will ever do to a crewchief is pull them from working on their precious aircraft. I had an AWESOME crewdog go to OCS and he got to stay in the aviation world. The lack of getting down and dirty, covered in JP8 and oil, and having his hands all mutilated from maintenance made him miserable. A great maintenance senior warrant in aviation will make a Squadron Commander's life happy. A Squadron Commander who insists on grabing the reins of maintenance and disregards the maintainer's knowledge is going to retire as a LTC. Are you more of a technical SME? Rule #1 of effective leadership.....know thyself.
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I can only speak to my experience with the Army, but I spent 7 years as an enlisted man and NCO on Active Duty before taking a break in service to earn a Masters degree and accept a Direct Commission as an O-2E. I do not regret this move at all. I have been very well received, and as others have said, word got around quickly that I was an NCO before becoming an Officer. With that in mind, I feel as though I am treated as a respected colleague by both NCOs and Officers. Indeed, I have had quite a few Junior Enlisted, Junior NCOs, and Junior Officers come to me to get insight into my career thus far, to see if they can glean any useful information to further their own careers.
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GySgt (Join to see)
Is this option available to anyone with prior service and an advanced degree? Or is it MOS specific?
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MAJ (Join to see)
Sorry for the seriously delayed response, but it is mostly specialty specific. The most common direct commissions are for those with specialty training and certifications in the fields of Law, Medicine and Theology. There are a handful of other direct commission options out there, for example the Wyoming National Guard will accept applications for well qualified NCOs of any CMF for a direct commission, but those opportunities are rare.
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SSG Paul Porter
Hello CPT Felder, not sure if you're still active on here but came across your response and had some questions. By PA do you mean Public Affairs? And is there a name for the program you commissioned under or is it just referred to as a direct commission? I have 13 years active duty as a Marine, 4 years NROTC under an enlisted commissioning program but didn't actually commission (long story- not disciplinary) and got an honorable discharge before finishing my MFA in film, then did three years in the Air Guard as a Public Affairs superintendent/broadcast journalist. It sounds like I may qualify for the program you commissioned under... any insight or recommendations? I'm currently about to enlist in the NG with the intent of going warrant or OCS but wonder if there's another route. Thanks!
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As a Warrant, you'll not be commanding the way a Company Grade officer would. You're not likely to have to deal with Office Hours. You're also not likely to get the big picture, but you don't generally get that below Field Grade, anyway.
I think it really boils down to service. If you want to stay Marine Corps, where people understand you, take the warrant. At 35, being an O-1 really isn't an issue, because you have a rack of fruit salad to show you're no boot. Word will also get around that you were a Marine, which will command respect. In any other service, you'll have to learn the culture. In a non-sea-service, you'll have to learn the culture AND the language.
I think it really boils down to service. If you want to stay Marine Corps, where people understand you, take the warrant. At 35, being an O-1 really isn't an issue, because you have a rack of fruit salad to show you're no boot. Word will also get around that you were a Marine, which will command respect. In any other service, you'll have to learn the culture. In a non-sea-service, you'll have to learn the culture AND the language.
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MAJ (Join to see)
CW4 Shaun Collins - Were you a commander of an official CPT position or higher? Or where you commanding some detachment or group or acting commander. With respect, aside from boats many warrants say they were in command but when you go back in detail they were not. They were acting or interims, and then the units were centers, detachment, reserves units that couldn't get an officer in time, teams or groups, etc... they were OICs or in charge but not in an official command position that was properly appointed vs some special circumstances. Is not the same you actually doing a change of command and taking the colors of the unit vs. some special issue that merits someone in charge temporary. I don't see why would I ever as a O-5 or O-6 will give command of a company to a warrant. That's not their role or how you suppose to use them. Also if you have officers available it would be wrong to negate them the chance at command since it is part of the commissioned officer progression. I just don't see a change of command where a CPT or a MAJ passes the colors of the unit to an incoming commander who is a warrant and he is chosen by design against CPTs or MAJs.
BTW I was a warrant and Im a commissioned officer so I am not hating but want to make sure we are talking in context.
BTW I was a warrant and Im a commissioned officer so I am not hating but want to make sure we are talking in context.
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Well, from my experience, I joined the cohort at 45. I went from “Hardcore Specialist Mafia” to E-7 Maintenance Platoon Sargent. From E-4 to E-7 it took me about 5 years, I was always first on the list because I literally maxed out almost everything except the time in grade, which resets every time you ascend. When I became E-7, I stayed there for only 4 months before joining the WOC program and that is THE BEST decision I have made in my military career. One small detail: Warrant Officers can command units, it is on the regulation. So, as far as respect, that is something you earn. People will look at you differently and they will also expect a lot from you, enlisted, NCO’s, Officers and Warrant Officers as well. So, the decision is yours.... ARMY STRONG
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I had to make this decision about a year ago. Ultimately, It came down to what did I want to do with my Career. My dream is to fly. So the clear path to becoming a SME in that field was with no doubt to become a Warrant. Also, I have found pleasure in being part of small brotherhood type groups and this is what I believe the Warrant Officer Cohort is all about. I got selected 6 months ago and now start school in one month! Good luck to you all who are making this same decision today. You can’t go wrong either way.
“Strength in Knowledge”
“Strength in Knowledge”
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I became a butter bar at the age of 39 (14 days shy of my 40th BD) after 11 years of enlisted service. I never had an issue with respect. Due mostly to the fact that I was in the guard and everyone knew that I had been a good NCO. But, yeah, if you don't want to have to deal with stress and politics WO is definitely the way to go. Although, from my experience, it is pretty tough to make it to CW4. Most of the WOs I have known topped out at CW3.
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Disadvantage to Chief Warrant is that in the eyes of some Commanding Officers you are always the Shitty Little Jobs (SLJ) Officer and will always be the Junior Officer in the Ward Room. I recommend you go the regular officer option. The enlisted will still know that you are former enlisted and you will have the opportunity to achieve a Mid Level or Senior Officer Rank after a few years as a Junior Officer.
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I don't know any of the USMC requirements for becoming a WO, all of my experience is based on Army NG, that said, I have known a lot of enlisted people who have done both, known a couple of O's who went WO, and have yet to meet a WO who went O. The question is, do you want to remain in your field, or do you want to do something else? If the answer is something else, than go O. If the answer is continue doing in the field your in as technical expert, than you know the answer, go WO.
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MAJ (Join to see)
HI,l I was a WO and I went O... best decision I made. I have taken all my E and my WO skill and I am for it a better O. I get to do my field still but I get to branch out to do other things and be a more complete professional of the field, manager and leader. Plus in the end I will retire with more pay than if I had stay WO.
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CW3 Kevin Storm
Then you would be the first I have known to have worn both. Know a few that switched from O to WO, but not the other way around.
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MAJ (Join to see)
CW3 Kevin Storm - Oh well you are in luck! Even in this thread there are others. Read above MAJ McMillan ([~711086}) an aviator he was both too. Like yourself I met only one O that went WO and he had no option. He was in the national guard long time ago and the state was getting rid of him position and he had nowhere to go except WO but he retired as a O because it was the highest paygrade. HOWEVER, I met other Os that were WOs. Aside from that one CW4 I never met anybody else and quite honestly it wouldn't make sense except in the case I referred to or in the event that you just don't like to lead or manage vs SME technical work. But LITERALLY you are choosing a voluntary demotion and less responsibility. That's not if or but, that's just what moving from O to WO means.
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I take it you are both eligible and highly recommended for these programs. These alone only gets your application forwarded. Getting selected is a whole different story. As you know, the competition is extremely keen. Before you spend too much time choosing a path, you'll need to first get selected so go ahead and apply for both. If you get selected for only one of the two programs, the choice was made for you. If you are selected for both, accept the appointment of your choice. Good luck. Semper Fi!
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SFC (Join to see)
Great Post Sir! As an Army Recruiter for individuals to go W's or O's is a process. It's not always guaranteed that the individual will be selected. The individuals that you speak with at the boards look at everything going back to High School. On another note, COOL Last Name!
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