What made you choose to go down the Warrant's path?

2015-05-19T20:17:48-04:00

I've had recent experience working side by side with warrants upgrading equipment to new standards. I instantly fell in love with the way they go so in depth into the various equipment. I see it as a tinkerer's job. What made y'all want to go warrant?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 8:32 PM

2015-05-19T20:32:44-04:00

For me it was all about being able to focus on the job and develop into something of an expert in the field. I enjoyed being an NCO, but I'm glad I went Warrant.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 8:49 PM

2015-05-19T20:49:10-04:00

It's the opportunity to take the knowledge I have received and impart it to others. I also love the problem solving aspect of the job. And it's a job where you have the opportunity to have a major influence upon your superiors as well as your subordinates

Response by CW3 Stephen Mantie made May 19 at 2015 8:52 PM

2015-05-19T20:52:56-04:00

I got tired of fighting for positions that were not even on the MTOE (HHC Plt Sgt). I got tired of having 5+ bosses at any given time. I got tired of sitting in NCODPs about NCOERs when I knew I needed to be in the motor pool getting equipment FMC. As a Warrant Officer I only have 1 boss and I am fully committed to the maintenance missing when at times, no one else is. My BN XO knows if I am taken out of the motor pool for stupid stuff, maintenance is fall behind. I spend most of my day teaching enlisted personnel what the standard is.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 9:02 PM

2015-05-19T21:02:39-04:00

I also loved being an NCO but I prefferred to focus on the technical aspect of my duties. I was also very impressed by the job performance of my Warrant Officer Platoon Leader. He always mastered any tasks at hand and made it look easy. He never yelled, he never talked about it, he just did it and went about his business. I wanted to be like him. I wanted to be "The Quiet Professional". The comraderie within the cohort is much better than what I experienced as an NCO. I am 100% sure I made the right decision.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 9:29 PM

2015-05-19T21:29:15-04:00

I sat down with the SMAR in 2011. I was an E-6 then, and said to him, " I'm coming for your job Sergeant Major! You might as well make my reservation at the Sergeant Major's Academy now!
"Oh really?" He laughed. "What MOS are you?
"88N Sergeant Major. I've been the same MOS since I've been in," I replied.
He rubbed his chin and said,"Why do you like being a soldier? What makes you want to put this uniform on for the next 20 to 30 years?"
"Well, I love it all Sergeant Major. From the qual range to to field, from executing orders to leading soldiers."
"How do you like briefings? Staff meetings that make your butt go numb?" He asked.
I can't recall exactly how he worded it, but he went on to say that at his level, he really isn't doing the things that I love to do. He doesn't go to the range with a unit to qualify, he goes to shake hands and meet soldiers. All the things I love about my job, being a soldier, and the Army, are lost in the sauce. Even E-9's at the BN level don't participate in all training events, and participate like a regular "joe".
"If you really love your job, try becoming a Warrant Officer. As much as I'd love to keep great NCO's, it would behoove you to at least take a look at what the Warrant Corps has to offer you." Wise words coming from the SMAR.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 9:37 PM

2015-05-19T21:37:55-04:00

I wanted to have additional responsibility and increase my leadership role on a detachment. Warrants are experts in their field, and that means different things in each field, but there is a level of expertise unique to the role of a Warrant Officer. Additionally, I had a very similar experience as you working with Warrant Officers in my unit- they were consumate professionals. Taking all of this into consideration, it was a great career move.

Response by CW2 Ted Turner made May 19 at 2015 10:09 PM

2015-05-19T22:09:23-04:00

For me it was a good mentor that made me switch over. I honestly didn't not want to switch because I wanted to be an CSM in 15 years and believe me to was on track to doing that. So to answer the question it was a good leaders and friends that made me switch over.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-05-20T12:11:06-04:00

It was a hard decision however I had senior mentors that sought out my qualities and asked me if I had ever thought about becoming a Warrant Officer. I always like working alone and just doing my job and more. I did not like to be lead and I wanted to make things better and work with little to no guidance. After talking to Senior Warrant Officers and the main statement that made me follow through with it was, "Do you have what it takes to become a Warrant Officer or Are you scared? Glad I went through the hurdles because I was able to display what I can accomplish and balance the NCO's duties in the process. As a Warrant Officer you will make major changes that can impact the company and the Battalion. As a Technical Warrant, I am still able to coach and mentor junior NCO's and Soldiers as well. I do miss the NCO Corp but glad I made the transition because I am able to make recommendations and decision that commanders seek from my experiences. If the opportunity is there and you feel you have what it takes, go for the challenge because you will not regret it at all.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-05-20T13:40:18-04:00

If we are being honest, I made the SFC list between my 7th and 8th year in service and pinned on before leaving for WOCS but I knew for my MOS as a 63 series now 91, I would have had a hard time moving up for many years. I decided that I needed to switch to an O-grade officer or Warrant Officer to better enhance my career and set up myself and family for a better retirement in the future. I loved being a NCO and I experienced a lot and held many positions in a short period of time but I wanted the opportunity to stay in the Ordnance field and becoming a Warrant Officer was the way to go. Now, almost 8 years later, I haven’t looked back. This has been the best decision of my career. I get to affect the maintenance and logistics mission from all angles and levels. I still interact heavily with NCO’s and Soldiers along with increased interaction with Staff and Command level officers of all grades. It is not for everyone. You have to really care about your job and be willing to put in a lot of hours of continuous learning in order to be the SME that you need to be and what others are counting on you to be.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 1:58 PM

2015-05-20T13:58:11-04:00

For me, it was always about doing the job. As much as I enjoy mentoring and training Soldiers, I enjoy the work that we do much more, and ensuring that the mission can be accomplished is the most critical factor for me. The way I illustrate this career choice for younger servicemembers is to decide what they enjoy most about the military: being in charge, being with Soldiers, or being on mission. If they like to be in control, I advise them to go to OCS and follow the commissioned officer progression. If developing, mentoring, and guiding Soldiers is their passion, then they should remain enlisted and move along that career path. If they are most interested in handling the mission, of resourcing it and seeing that it gets done, then warrant officer is the best career path.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-05-20T13:59:21-04:00

Truth: I was tired of being a babysitter. I was a Plt Sgt in Korea and hated when I had to answer this question: "Why were SPC XXX and PFC XXX in the Ville getting drunk past curfew and assaulting the MPs trying to apprehend them?"

Really? What's the correct answer to that? My First Sergeant took me into his office and said, "Don't worry, you just got picked up for Warrant. Go get your coffee cup and start growing your mustache."

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 10:55 PM

2015-05-22T22:55:44-04:00

I personally like being the person that everyone can count on for the answers. I love the respect warrants get because they have been NCOs unlike a lot of commissioned officers. It's a very tough school but the best life decision I made this far. I say go for it!!!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 12:53 AM

2015-05-23T00:53:07-04:00

For me, it was being able to focus on the technical aspects of my job, as well as the higher level of training I would receive. I loved being an NCO, but switching over has been the best decision of my life!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2015 11:25 PM

2015-05-25T23:25:29-04:00

I wanted to be left alone, particularly, by power possessed NCOs. But remember, as a warrant you will be in charge of your desk and laptop.
Really? I wanted to be SME and pass the expertise to others.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 4:04 PM

2015-05-27T16:04:26-04:00

I wanted more influence on outcomes and expectations within my field. A SFC on a CRT was not enough for me.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2015 8:09 PM

2015-05-27T20:09:13-04:00

My first Warrant Officer put such a positive effect on me that it was impossible to do or be anything else, I truly embraced it. Thanks to chief Tod Aldridge.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 8:33 AM

2015-05-28T08:33:13-04:00

Simple. By going Warrant I got to do 7 more years on the teams.

Response by LTJG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 9:22 AM

2015-05-28T09:22:46-04:00

I wanted new challenges while still being able to use the knowledge and experience I gained from being enlisted but still being able to work with Sailors. I commissioned as a Warrant when I was an E-8 and haven't looked back.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made May 28 at 2015 11:36 AM

2015-05-28T11:36:39-04:00

A couple of things steered me in this direction.

1. Going the OCS route and being the oldest 2lt was not for me.
2. After the Platoon Leader and I got a counseling statements for having the wife of a soldier write a few hot checks because she was from an area from the country where she left school in the fifth grade, and could not fill out a check, let alone balance a check book. I realized the NCO mantra of" look for your soldier" thing was just going a little too far over the top.
3. Warrants can make an impact, say no (tactfully) where lesser individuals would fear to say something because of fear of retribution or being made the bane of jokes. Where as if Chief says "Sir, that water crossing at this time of year with that type of vehicle may not be a good idea because of X" Carries a little more weight and may make people think twice.

Response by CWO5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-05-31T12:38:35-04:00

I was able to be more of a mover and a shaker. Respect across the board on both enlisted and officer sides of the house.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2017 11:39 PM

2017-03-25T23:39:26-04:00

For me it was the most natural thing to do. My father was a CWO so I had that sitting in the back of my head. I was an E7 at 10 years and was coming out on the E8 list. The thought of flying a desk and paper work was not what I felt I needed. I applied to the warrant board and was selected. My first assignment was with The All American Division. And it was great. A warrant is the SME and you have the best of both worlds, you think like an NCO and lead like an officer. It was the greatest feeling I'd had when they pinned my wobbly 1 bars on. After that it just got better. So any one out there that is on the fence and your the SME in your field apply. You'll not look back and regret anything, maybe you will never look back you'll just look forward to every day as a new challenge that need the expertise of a crusty old warrant office who has his/her stuff together.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 10 at 2017 3:17 PM

2017-04-10T15:17:08-04:00

For me, it was more of an intellectual decision, than emotional. For my career path, being a very senior NCO, I had to decide how my career would steer. I have a specific skill set, to include a foreign language that was not being maintained in my NCO position. So, the choice was easy. I decided to transition and become a Warrant, so I could return to my operational status and get back to doing what I love. Best choice I ever made. My only regret is waiting so long to transition.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2017 10:39 AM

2017-05-12T10:39:27-04:00

Relative autonomy. I have time to synthesize, develop systems, and make sure technical requirements are being met. Also, quality of life. Flexibility with time cannot be discounted.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2017 7:46 PM

2017-07-26T19:46:40-04:00

I saw my career moving farther and farther away from doing my MOS. Platoon Sergeants should be well-versed in their MOS, but their primary duty is to provide for the welfare of the platoon and accomplish the mission. As a Warrant, I've been able to continue doing the job I love.

Response by CW4 Tim Gourley made Jul 27 at 2017 11:42 AM

2017-07-27T11:42:50-04:00

I personally made the choice on the money ....I had a civilian job that required me to be in the active reserves ..I was an E7 and had another 20 + years before mandatory retirement w4 made more than E9

Response by CW5 Edward "Tate" Jones Jr. made Aug 13 at 2017 12:36 PM

2017-08-13T12:36:51-04:00

I had made SFC and decided that I would rather make policy than follow other's policies. AND, as an SFC I was no longer a bench technician. If I was going to lead, I'd rather lead from the front than from the #2 slot.

Response by CW5 John M. made Jan 30 at 2018 11:50 PM

2018-01-30T23:50:29-05:00

The July 1967 Aviation Digest that my dad brought home had an article entitled “What is a WOC?” I was just about to begin my Senior year in HS. It described in detail the Army WO Aviation program, from Preflight, the Primary Helicopter School at Ft Walters, TX, and the Advanced School at Ft Rucker, Al. I was instantly “smitten” with the idea my entire Senior year - mentioning it in my yearbook. I still have that Aviation Digest. I’ll have to re-read to see if it mentioned anything about ‘Nam - I think it did.......

Response by CW3 David Covey made Jul 19 at 2018 5:57 PM

2018-07-19T17:57:01-04:00

Response by CW3 John Himes made Jan 14 at 2019 9:41 PM

2019-01-14T21:41:34-05:00

I had reached a point as an NCO where most of my time I was stuck in a TOC rather than with troops and training them. I was fed up working for captains thinking they were experts of stuff they knew nothing about. Going warrant kept me with troops being a leader and subject matter expert. I had only one boss, the battalion or brigade commander.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 10 at 2019 11:36 AM

2019-07-10T11:36:02-04:00

I dislike majors

Response by CW3 David Vinson made Jul 19 at 2019 9:42 AM

2019-07-19T09:42:39-04:00

I made an different in my System that I work at the Was Lance Missile and the MRLS,I was first to be dual in both Systems.But Later I end up taking Medical Retired as WO#3.But I miss the Time in Army,I was in Marine Corps first.There was alot of good training done by both Service's.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2020 4:35 PM

2020-02-13T16:35:28-05:00

Old thread but was when I was a SFC PSG in lovely Ft Stewart. Missed appointments were a big then so our CSM made some mandatory formations. 1st formation was at 0545 with the soldier, first line, PSG and 1SG of the soldier who had an appointment that day. He did a roll call of appointments during that time. Second formation was at 1100 with the same personnel to go over appointments for the following day. Last formation was at 1645 with the same personnel to confirm if you made your appointment. I started a packet so fast.

Response by SFC Don Ward made Dec 8 at 2021 8:52 PM

2021-12-08T20:52:00-05:00

If everyone goes warrant and officer, who is going to actually work?