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 had a 15 year break in service and after completeing my Bachelors degree I decided to join the National Guard. I reenlisted as an E-4. Before I reached one year in I joined the OCS program and became an Officer. I was 38 years old when I commisioned.
The real question you need to ask yourself is do you want to lead troops or do you want to serve beside troops.
If the pay is all you're looking at, don't become an Officer, become a Warrant.
The real question you need to ask yourself is do you want to lead troops or do you want to serve beside troops.
If the pay is all you're looking at, don't become an Officer, become a Warrant.
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Keep in mind at the age of 38 most are looking for the easy route and that is why most people choose the WO route...thinking "I don't want to make decisions or babysit"! The question was "The Life". Go commissioned, the "life" is much better!
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As an Army Warrant Officer with 10 years Enlisted time I can say my suggestion is to go WO.
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Suspended Profile
As an O-1E with a rack of medals and some warfare quals, everyone would know where you started from. As for which to choose, it depends on the job you want.
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So in the Army we like to distinguish the difference between generalists and specialists when referring to Officers vs. Warrant Officers. There is also a third distinction in the Army when you consider functional area officers. They are also specialists and experts in their field but their knowledge is based more upon study and theory while technical WOs usually rely upon experience (as the technical schools for us are generally lacking).
If I had cared about money, I would have taken the risk to become an Officer and try for an FA. However, money is not the reason why I joined, stayed beyond my first enlistment or applied to be a WO.
If I had cared about money, I would have taken the risk to become an Officer and try for an FA. However, money is not the reason why I joined, stayed beyond my first enlistment or applied to be a WO.
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I agree with CW4 Collins. It's about what you want to do. Most warrents just love their career field and don't want to give it up. In the Navy, we have LDOs who wear the same standard ranks as regular officers. This makes the decision a little easier. I went full commission after 12 years enlisted service because I wanted to fly. I still got the respect of a seasoned sailor, but for me it was about realizing a dream. When you are doing what you love, everything else is icing.
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Have been both Warrant and LDO (Navy). Both great programs, but with Warrant in the Navy you tend to be limited in the jobs you perform (helps develop thise strong technical experts). Personally I like the broader spectrum of jobs available as an LDO. Good luck to you.
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Being an 0-1E vs 0-1 is different. My mustang buddies have loved the transition. Most of them prior E-6s. The "butter bar" is a tongue in cheek reference to lack of experience. You can be an 0-1 without being a "butter bar". Attitude can make the difference.
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F.y.i. Navy Warrants are also Technical Experts that is their purpose no different from the Army. The Navy also has Limited Duty Officers who are Line Officers (LDO) with Technical Expertise in the same fields as Warrant Officers as well. Both come from Enlisted Ranks. I was a CWO, and later an LDO.
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COL Williams nailed it. I crossed over from E to O at 39 1/2 years old and after 10 years of combined Active/Reserve with a large gap in service in between. I brought the NCO leadership perspective and elevated to more operational and strategic awareness. Everywhere I've been, even as an Ensign, I have been given the respect of a seasoned professional and that was from being deployed working for a Navy O-6 as an Ensign and a USMC O-7 as a LTJG. In addition to the leadership/SME question, you may also want to consider how much longer you plan to serve. You’ll be past the single-bar ranks soon enough.
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