What is the perception in the services of Warrant Officer professionalism?

2018-08-10T21:17:46-04:00

I am the senior Warrant Officer in an aviation battalion I want to find the opinion of Officers and NCOs alike. I have overheard conversations lately between numerous senior NCOs and Officers about the professionalism or lack there of, of the Warrant Officer Corps. As a Warrant Officer I know we have an important role in the Army but there seems to be a perception that we are lazy, unprofessional, and simply do our own thing. I want to know what the opinion of the masses is so I can mentor my junior Warrant Officers.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 10 at 2018 9:26 PM

2018-08-10T21:26:05-04:00

I have nothing but good experiences whit WOs. They are the subject matter experts.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 10 at 2018 10:36 PM

2018-08-10T22:36:58-04:00

Never had a bad experience with WOs,
most were respected, primarily because they were once one of us. IMO, if Anyone saw them as inferior, it was the “ring knockers”.

Response by SSG Stephen Arnold made Aug 10 at 2018 11:22 PM

2018-08-10T23:22:04-04:00

I've been out of the service since 1993, so my experience is dated.

I found warrants to be less concerned with rigidly enforcing minor regulations, almost to the point of being irreverent. OTOH, they were some of the most knowledgeable and SENSIBLE people in the US Army. I enjoyed working with them.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Aug 10 at 2018 11:25 PM

2018-08-10T23:25:45-04:00

I am a legend in my own mind, but without WO's, I would have been much, much less...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 11:37 PM

2018-08-10T23:37:26-04:00

Chief, in my experience working with WO as both an NCO and Officer some can come across as arrogant. I think too many immature Warrants tout the whole “We are mystical creatures” and some enjoy the reputation of doing what they want, when they want and not being accountable. I think if more warrants (both technical and aviation) took their role as leaders more seriously then thier reputations would grow. We only have two warrants in the AMEDD, Biomed Techs and Vet Food Inspectors. I have worked at great lengths with the Logisitcal Warrants. I think Senior Warrant Officers enforcing discipline and professionalism amount the cohort would go a long way. Thier is a large difference between what I’ve experienced with WO1-CW3 and thier Seniors the CW4 and CW5s. I find myself in better conversations with the CW4-5, more meaningful and thoughtful. Whereas the WO1-3 may vary depending on the person and how serious they take being a Warrant. Just my two cents.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Aug 11 at 2018 11:48 AM

2018-08-11T11:48:21-04:00

Hey, when I saw them, they were on point. But no one ever really knows where the chief is do they? LOL

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2018 3:35 PM

2018-08-11T15:35:44-04:00

From an Air Force perspective, I just recently learned what a Warrant Officer even did. My limited experiences with them have been pleasant and I don't have anything negative to say about them.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 12 at 2018 11:52 AM

2018-08-12T11:52:46-04:00

CEC WOs were eliminated in 2014. They were converted to LDOs. You need a certain amount of critical mass for the WO bracket to work. There were so few and rarely seen WOs, the enlisted typically wondered what they did. In the broader Navy, it depends on where you are and what you do. The WO I knew best was a Photographer who'd deploy to Antarctica with us. Mild, small stature; until he put on a gorilla costume and the "Ralph" persona came out. Very few of us knew it was Dale as we'd prep his battlefield. That taught me that WOs can be stealthy as hell and you better be careful around them because they can get more than even.

BTW many of us tend to call WOs "Guns" as in the day of canvas, the lead gunner was a WO. Name hung around long after.

Response by COL John R Coe made Aug 14 at 2018 4:32 PM

2018-08-14T16:32:07-04:00

if a WO is lazy or unprofessional, his immediate superior is to blame for not correcting him forcefully.

Response by LTC Jeff Shearer made Aug 15 at 2018 7:08 AM

2018-08-15T07:08:57-04:00

Sean I guess I was very fortunate in SF we have been very comfortable with the role of the Warrant. They make great SF guys.
Sean in an SF company we did not have jr enlisted so things are a little different, mostly SSGs, SFC's, MSG's, CPT's. Warrants and a SGM and a MAJ. I have always been very comfortable with warrants but majority were very knowledgeable, professional and great leaders. I had a couple back when I was a young SF O keep me from making stupid "new guy" mistakes. I kind them as the wise ones.

Response by CW2 Michael Bodnar made Aug 15 at 2018 8:53 AM

2018-08-15T08:53:30-04:00

Chief, I've had the privilege of working with high caliber Warrant Officers during my career. We are the most technically and tactically proficient stewards of our respective tradecrafts. If that makes as out to be arrogant or pompous, then so be it. I've also worked with those who felt they were above everyone else and their stuff didn't stink. I'm here to tell you that there are some Warrants out there that I do not call Chief that I've lost respect for - and there are plenty of O grades and NOC's that I feel the same way about as well. I think what makes us unique is we tell it like it is whether someone wants to hear it or not. It's our job not to blow smoke up the boss's rear end and to get the job done right, on time, and under budget.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jul 21 at 2022 2:34 PM

2022-07-21T14:34:46-04:00

I can't speak to the current thoughts on this subject, I retired in 2016 from the Guard. Ground WO's in the Guard tend to be older and me mature, that is not saying my AD counterparts are not. Some say the Aviation community acts like the USAF. My experience with Guard Aviation WO's has been nothing but positive. A lot of Guard WO's may end being Unit commanders if their is shortage of RO's in a given state, I have heard that may be the same in the Reserves as well. Professionalism is touchy thing. In my experience All too often people see a WO as some one who knows all, about everything. The reality is we don't. I spent time in a Guard Engineer Unit, good people, but I would get asked about equipment a 919 would know about and a 915 (my MOS Automotive Maintenance) would know nothing about. Rock crushers, EOD robots? Sorry folks my side of the fence doesn't see these things. Let alone work on them or know where you get the repairs parts from (The rock crusher was allegedly the last one in the Army, and everything was contracted out to repair it). These situations can put WO's in a situation where they are no longer the SME in a unit (this unit 5 WO slots). With most of them vacant, I got hit up with a lot of questions. So I can understand where people may get the idea where there is a problem, or why a given WO may not have the aptitude of a given subject you think they should have.