Transitioning to Warrant Officer after LTC?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 21:17:22 -0400

I'm a LTC whose MRD is July 2021. I currently have a total of 32 years of service. I've already been passed over for COL, and the next look will be above-the-zone. I'm not all that concerned about not making O6 after 32 years. I've been told I could possibly transition to the Warrant Officer Corps once I hit my MRD. I'm wondering if that would be a better option? I'd like to hear from those who've actually done it to see if it's worth it, or if I should just retire.

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jul 6 at 2019 10:24 PM

SGT Javier Silva — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 22:24:46 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member I'm sorry, but why would you give up a full commission for warrant? I don't think that you would start at CW5 if you transitioned over, but this is beyond me, sir.

Response by MSG Frank Kapaun made Jul 6 at 2019 11:31 PM

MSG Frank Kapaun — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 23:31:42 -0400

Got to be some type of troll...

Response by SSgt Chuck Keneagy made Jul 7 at 2019 5:17 AM

SSgt Chuck Keneagy — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 05:17:19 -0400

Retire

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 8 at 2019 10:17 AM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 10:17:49 -0400

Personally I'm retiring but I'm just broken up badly so everything hurts. My heart is for service. I would say examine if service is most important because taking a lower rank will be difficult in all sorts of unforeseen ways.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2019 8:08 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Sep 2019 08:08:17 -0400

Sir, I would first ask if you are regular army or army national guard. If you are regular army then I would retire and enjoy it. It you are national guard then it depends on your retirement points and how far from drawing that check. In my opinion if you wanted a nice retirement on the national guard side then AGR enlisted job would be a better option since your retirement points will count as a LTC retirement point. These options are up to you sir and your situation. My recommendation would be follow the money, while still being able to be a part of the organization.

Response by CWO2 B. Sean Fairburn made Oct 20 at 2020 8:55 AM

CWO2 B. Sean Fairburn — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 08:55:50 -0400

There are 3 lenses from which to look at the situation. 1) Professional Growth- do YOU feel the change in rank would give you more room to grow professionally in the skills you offer? 2) Will the Rank Change help Others- Helping others develop into better leaders is always a worthwhile goal and might be a Reason to shift. 3) Money Fame Power- are any of these things your motivation? if So You may want to consider a Career shift with a higher ceiling outside of the military.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Oct 20 at 2020 12:32 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:32:45 -0400

I knew some FA Officers who converted to WO, they were an O-2 and an O-3 respectively. They just didn't like the O side, but they were sharp FA Radar people, so the WO FA Radar Tech was a great thing for them. Transition, for them nothing really, they knew the job and went straight at it. All of this was Guard, so that environment is different.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 20 at 2020 12:46 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:46:23 -0400

I have was passed over for O6 as well, I decided to take my ball and go home.

I don’t know. 32 years and go to CW2. I regretted leaving at 22, but don’t think I would have done that route. I’d say retire and call it good.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Oct 20 at 2020 8:13 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 20:13:52 -0400

Although I always had more respect for Warrant Officers than commissioned (unless they were enlisted first!) I would look at it as a step down from being a LTC. I don't know how you see it but if I were in your shoes with my mindset I would retire and enjoy life.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Oct 20 at 2020 11:40 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 23:40:33 -0400

What did you decide Sir?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2020 8:52 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 20:52:35 -0400

Follow up: I officially went into the Retired Reserve on Christmas Day, 2019, and have no desire to return to duty in any status. I'm currently working part-time while trying to square away my VA disability claims.