What would you do if you were 18 months from leaving the "trail", were selected for promotion to E-7 and were thinking of going W.O.C?

2018-08-06T01:18:30-04:00

I have set before me a labyrinthian map of crossroads-a peculiar situation so to speak. To give a little backstory, I enlisted in the USARNG as an 88M (motor transportation operator) in 2003. Transferred to the Active Component in 2010 as a 74D (CBRN specialist) . In the years since, I have never been assigned to a chemical unit. I am concerned that the lack of MOS experience (no ASI, no CBRN-specific schooling) will hurt my chances in being competitive for selection at the Warrant Board. Going to another (military-resident) school while I am on the trail is not likely and I am currently enrolled in college. On top of all of that...I re-enlist in January. To my knowledge, unless the re-up changed or will change by 1 OCT, I can choose my next assignment destination before the "needs of the Army" option takes effect. BLUF, If anyone has words of wisdom or experience...PLEASE HELP!!!!!!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 1:25 AM

2018-08-06T01:25:20-04:00

Let me call in the retired and active buddies for guidance:
MSG Private RallyPoint Member CSM Charles Hayden SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL COL Mikel J. Burroughs @Ltc

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 2:41 AM

2018-08-06T02:41:11-04:00

Go warrant....more money. Everybody tries to go warrant just for the money and relaxation. I'd rather stay an NCO and actually make a difference in soldiers lives. Not just sit in the back of a formation and drink coffee

Response by CSM Eric Biggs made Aug 6 at 2018 5:51 AM

2018-08-06T05:51:36-04:00

I have no idea regarding your chances of being selected as a chemical Warrant. However I can tell you as a SM who holds the MOS of 74D but had almost 0 experience in that field until being selected as a company 1SG for a Chemical Co, you should be just fine in your endeavors as a senior NCO in the chemical world.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Aug 6 at 2018 8:02 AM

2018-08-06T08:02:04-04:00

Go W.O.C SSG(P) Christopher Boson! Good Luck in all of your endeavors.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 10:26 AM

2018-08-06T10:26:16-04:00

The way I see it is you'll never progress if you don't try. If you feel in your heart that you want to be a warrant officer, apply and see what happens. Do not let relative experience factors affect your motivation. What I mean by that is if you meet at least the basic qualifications then apply for the position. If you're told you need more experience, gain it and try again!

BLUF: Do not hem and haw about your career. Your actions or lack thereof shape it.

Response by SGT Jeremiah Giles made Aug 6 at 2018 10:49 AM

2018-08-06T10:49:32-04:00

I would celebrate. There is no question here Drill Sergeant, receive the well deserved promotion, apply for WOC and see what happens!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 6 at 2018 11:01 AM

2018-08-06T11:01:25-04:00

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member I know a very successful Warrant Officer who was in a similar position and was selected for WOC. He was selected while still on the trail and was afforded no'prep time. He was literally pushing troops until the day he left. He's a CW4 now and still killing it. He was my Food Service Technician in the 101st. Could not have done my job without him.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 6 at 2018 11:40 AM

2018-08-06T11:40:35-04:00

I would say that you promote and/or chase after the Warrant Board depending how they line up. Choose a destination that works for you and your career with your re-enlistment (you might even consult with your family if applicable-because they seldom get a say in moves). Know that the service can teach you a job, but leadership and the desire to serve are qualities that start from within.

Response by CW2 Michael Bodnar made Aug 6 at 2018 2:08 PM

2018-08-06T14:08:10-04:00

Put the packet in for Warrant Officer - what's the worse they can do, say no? Here's what going Warrant would do for you: allows you to retire at a much higher pay grade (means more for retirement), allows you to stay in longer provided you can achieve the next higher rank. Depending on many years you have on active duty, you could essentially stay for another 10-15 years and really rack up the retirement pay. Being a SFC is not bad but going Warrant was by far the best decision I ever made. Best of luck to you.

Response by LCDR Robert S. made Aug 6 at 2018 2:31 PM

2018-08-06T14:31:44-04:00

If you don't apply, they can't say yes. Unless someone with some serious insight into the Warrant Board can tell you, "Nope, with your background, you absolutely will not get it," the only reason not to apply is if you don't want it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2018 5:16 PM

2018-08-06T17:16:52-04:00

You are required to have held 74D MOS for 5 years. Time spent as a recruiter, drill instructor, or other similar non-technical positions do not count. So the first thing to look at is if you meet that qualification. Additionally, you will need to show documented proof of at least one year as a CBRN squad leader or 1 year as a sNCO at BN or Higher.

I can tell you that when I attempted a few years ago, they were just getting their feet of the ground with the new program and proponent was extremely competitive. I don't think that has changed.

That all being said, if you meet the requirements you should at least put together the application and the resume and see what the final product looks like. You can still take off the SFC patch and put on W.O.C. patch later if you make selection.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2018 4:37 PM

2018-08-07T16:37:37-04:00

Don’t disqualify yourself. Let the board decide

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2018 6:25 PM

2018-08-08T18:25:19-04:00

Do it.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2018 6:34 PM

2018-08-10T18:34:21-04:00

From someone who dove in head first from the Air Force, I'd really look into what it takes to go warrant, and see if that's the path for you. If it is, talk to the proponent POC on the recruiting website, they are the ones that will validate you and your package as being complete and qualified before you go to the board anyway, so pick their brain. Talk with folks that hold the MOS you are shooting for and see what they did to make it.

If it's something you really want, look at all the prerequisites it takes to apply and start working on them now. The competitiveness at each board fluctuates depending on MOS and the demand at that time. You can also go back to previous boards to see how many people were FQ-S vs FQ-NS and that will give you an indication on competitiveness trends for each MOS.

If you just want to be a warrant and don't care what you will be doing, there are a couple of feeder-MOS-immaterial WOMOS's you can also apply for i.e. 153A.

Finally, if you do decide to go for it, become familiar with the USAREC website. That is your end-all be-all bible to becoming a warrant. It will provide you with 90% of the information you need to know. Anyway, good luck!

Response by SFC William Brewer made Aug 22 at 2018 5:48 PM

2018-08-22T17:48:37-04:00

Get your 7 then go W.O.C. Things can happen at W.O.C. I went through and lost my Fed rec due to not having Unix Experience and just ending up getting passed up for E-7 until later down the road.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 29 at 2018 6:13 AM

2018-08-29T06:13:43-04:00

Complete your packet if it's what you want for your career. Becoming E7 is notable but becoming Warrant Officer is a career changing experience.

Response by SGT Andrew Brooks made Sep 16 at 2018 9:25 AM

2018-09-16T09:25:33-04:00

I didn't get any real experience in my 1st MOS either... Went in 91 for Dessert Storm to be 13M, but after AIT, sergent major of my 1st unit was informed I knew computers, and put me in S1 as battalion PS NCO. Next unit in Korea, when they learned I didn't have line experience sent me to Brigade, where I was assigned 1st to S3 a SATCOM Op, then to General Staff. The Brigade CO gave me a recommendation for Green to Gold at reenlistment. Unfortunately I couldn't get over an injury that was keeping me from passing PT, so I didn't get to go through with it, but that's the way I'd go if I were you. You could select whatever at reenlistment, as you can go Green-to-Gold any time. You go to an 18 month OCS program, and at graduation your rank at commission depends on your enlisted rank when you went in. An E6 becomes an O3, E7 = Major, etc.
I think you'll find that the options of a regular officer and the skill set you put on your resume after you retire will be better than the warrant program.
Either way, best of luck! Up and Down Range!

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Oct 21 at 2018 12:52 PM

2018-10-21T12:52:30-04:00

CBRN needs a voice, a good Warrant Officer into this field is a big help and voice. Most Commanders have no idea what to do with their 74D's so their training hardly ever gets used. As a 74DL4 I did everything I could to get that training in and being 18yrs in short of 20 I would agree with CW@ Bodnar, put your packet in and see how it flies

Response by MSG Paul Weller made Oct 22 at 2018 6:26 AM

2018-10-22T06:26:28-04:00

Stay in the Corps, don’t take the easy course of WOC. Call your Branch, contact Branch SGM and explain why you want a Chem Co. Of course do all this is you want to lead Soldiers, mentor them. Early in my career i had a 74D give me some great career advice, and helped me tackle some personal issues i had with two NCOs... and i was a Admin guy.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jul 14 at 2019 9:43 PM

2019-07-14T21:43:53-04:00

I personally think warrant officer candidate school for nonpilots is a waste of resources. All the warrants I worked for were direct appointees like me. I was appointed as a PBO since Retail Warrants did not have a MOS. The army woke up in 1975 and made a retail warrant. When CW5 was put on the table WOCS was created at Aberdeen. It was for the aviators and plus some not all ended up underpaid LT's. Some of these new warrants have to go to fort lee to get trained. I hit the ground running. I would wait for E7 and see how it plays out. My assignment officer, a personal friend of mine CW5 Les Craig calls me Schinnen and says how would I like to come back to the Pentagon and be in charge of COMSEC? I declined. One month later he calls again. How about Aberdeen to be the senior TAC. I said Les I am not a babysitter. Take my name out of your roledex.

Response by Capt Michael Wilford made Jul 15 at 2019 2:03 AM

2019-07-15T02:03:59-04:00

BLUF... Risk vs Reward. If you do not take the risk of putting in your WOC packet, you will not reap the reward of selection. If you do take the risk and do get selected, the reward will be a whole new career as a Warrant Officer. If you are not selected, you are no worse off. I am not a soldier, but that is the same advice I would give to a Marine NCO asking the same question about submitting a Warrant Officer packet.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Jul 30 at 2019 6:22 AM

2019-07-30T06:22:53-04:00

Apply for Warrant Officer!

Response by SFC Kenneth Kreps made Aug 13 at 2021 6:41 PM

2021-08-13T18:41:24-04:00

I basically had a similar decision while on the trail at Ft Sill in the 70’s. Promoted to E-6 or OCS. I chose to stay enlisted. Best decision I ever made. I am now retired w/ pay and benefits. I am not a politician . Nough said. Don’t know how long you’ve been in or your career plans, but discuss with your family the options available, and I’m sure you’ll make the right decision

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 21 at 2022 12:47 PM

2022-08-21T12:47:34-04:00

Where is your heart. Do you want to help soldiers as a NCO versus being a Warrant Officer. Their worlds are very different and requires a different focus in leading and or managing soldiers.Also, as a Warrant Officer you deal more with fellow officers as compared to enlisted soldiers as an Sr.Nco.