Posted on Dec 17, 2015
Army Warrant Officer History - Part I (1918-1996)
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Warrant Officer History, did you know how it started?
Just the other days I was walking out of the shoppette and a Navy Officer is walking towards me. I have to admit that Navy ranks always confuse me, they're usually shiny but no necessarily an Officer. In those 3 seconds I tried to figure out what rank she was, and as they say, if it shines salute, I salute her expressing my confusion just in case she was enlisted. She saluted back and went directly to my office to look for Navy ranks.
I found out interesting things, now I know she was an Information Warfare Technician. It caught my attention all the ranks and specialties they have so, I dig a little more. I got interested in the topic and looked for the Warrant Officer History, this is what I found.
https://warrantofficerhistory.org/Hist_of_Army_WO.htm
Is a great read, specially for Junior Enlisted like me. I think that the best you understand, the less you have to memorize. I think is not the same studying for a board two months prior than just learn constantly about our profession. I hope you find it informational and good enough to share.
Just the other days I was walking out of the shoppette and a Navy Officer is walking towards me. I have to admit that Navy ranks always confuse me, they're usually shiny but no necessarily an Officer. In those 3 seconds I tried to figure out what rank she was, and as they say, if it shines salute, I salute her expressing my confusion just in case she was enlisted. She saluted back and went directly to my office to look for Navy ranks.
I found out interesting things, now I know she was an Information Warfare Technician. It caught my attention all the ranks and specialties they have so, I dig a little more. I got interested in the topic and looked for the Warrant Officer History, this is what I found.
https://warrantofficerhistory.org/Hist_of_Army_WO.htm
Is a great read, specially for Junior Enlisted like me. I think that the best you understand, the less you have to memorize. I think is not the same studying for a board two months prior than just learn constantly about our profession. I hope you find it informational and good enough to share.
Posted in these groups: 
Warrant Officers
Warrant Officers
Posted 9 y ago
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SGT(P) (Join to see) My dad was one of the earliest CW4s he was a WOJG when I was born in 47. Helluva guy.
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There's actually a little more to the story than the article you provided gives us - but, the clue is in the key word: "warrant".
When a ship's master (Captain) needed a specialist, he would go to the Crown (of whatever country he represented) and state how many he needed. The king or queen would give the ship's master a warrant for each of the specialists the captain needed.
Armed with the warrant, the ship's master would approach the best person (specialist) of whatever skill set he needed. He would offer the position to the craftsman. If the person declined, the ship's master could (and would) then present the Warrant from the Crown... and, that person would become a warrant officer. They'd be paid because of their skill (unlike many who would be kidnapped from the pubs, and wake up when the ship was underway!), they'd be senior to the regular enlisted, and they'd be able to claim a portion of any proceeds / profits (shares) the ship captured / earned.
Well done on finding the article, and you're ahead of the game by wanting to learn! Things we memorize, we forget when the information's not needed any longer... things we learn are usually with us for life!
When a ship's master (Captain) needed a specialist, he would go to the Crown (of whatever country he represented) and state how many he needed. The king or queen would give the ship's master a warrant for each of the specialists the captain needed.
Armed with the warrant, the ship's master would approach the best person (specialist) of whatever skill set he needed. He would offer the position to the craftsman. If the person declined, the ship's master could (and would) then present the Warrant from the Crown... and, that person would become a warrant officer. They'd be paid because of their skill (unlike many who would be kidnapped from the pubs, and wake up when the ship was underway!), they'd be senior to the regular enlisted, and they'd be able to claim a portion of any proceeds / profits (shares) the ship captured / earned.
Well done on finding the article, and you're ahead of the game by wanting to learn! Things we memorize, we forget when the information's not needed any longer... things we learn are usually with us for life!
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
PO1 Joseph Glennon thanks to technology, I did a screen shot of this response to have it with me at any time. Thanks for sharing!
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PO1 Joseph Glennon
I'm honored! They say that knowledge is power, but I've always felt that knowledge not shared is wasted.
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PFC Antonio Camacho Ortiz it's outstanding to see guys early in their careers obtaining the knowledge ro be better soldiers. Keep up the good work and, thanks for sharing!
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Sgt Mike Williams with less than 2 years TIS, I still don't know what the future has for me. If it is to be a WO, at least I'll know the history behind it. Thanks for the motivation!
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SPC (Join to see)
It's important, our history. I'm constantly trying to dig for new information when I don't have work to do. Stuff about my unit, uniforms, ranks, awards, insignia. There's lots of random knowledge out there, some of it important and some of it just interesting that I think ties us to our profession that gives us something to pass on to those we might lead later.
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