Posted on Jan 12, 2015
What role do Warrant Officers have in the different branches?
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In the Air Force we don't have WO's, but I try to have a basic understanding of other branches so that when I encounter them I know how they wish to be addressed, etc. (example: every Air Force NCO I've encountered has been fine with being addressed as sir or ma'am, but I've encountered Army NCO's who clearly don't like being addressed as sir or ma'am) So, what grades of WO does your branch use (I know Navy doesn't use them all)? What rank/paygrade do they have to reach before they can become a WO? How do their job duties differ from SNCO's or Officers? How does their amount of responsibility differ from SNCO's or Officers? What is the proper way to address a Warrant Officer (sir/ma'am, Chief, "hey you")? Does the term of address differ depending on their paygrade? What is the process if a WO wished to become a Commissioned Officer? And anything else that is unique to WO's in your branch? And my apologies if this is too long/too many questions.
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Warrant Officers
Warrant Officers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 16
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In the Army the technical warrant officer is usually an NCO with a stellar performance record and a minimum E5/6 learning his field before becoming a warrant. The flight warrant on the other hand can come right off the street with no military back ground whatsoever and become a warrant. The selection rate for flight used to be 60% active duty regardless of service and was changed a few years ago in a attempt to get to an accession of 60% civilian. However recruiters don't like the time and effort it takes to produce an application for a warrant. Tale of tech versus aviation in the Army. Sir, ma'am, mister is standard with chief being usually less desired.
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CW4 Keith Dolliver
Is the goal really 60% civilian accessions? Do you know what the reason/logic for that is?
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CW5 Sam R. Baker
Keith, allow me to elaborate, not technical fields as they require prior knowledge and experience, it is the aviation branch and the reason is the attrition rate of prior NCOs with a myriad of issues.
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In the Marine Corps they are technical experts nominated and then promoted by boards from the E6 E7 range, then sent to The Basic School, just like Marine 2ndLts. They are supposed to run specialized shops and not be put in combat leadership positions regularly...but they're Marines.... so they end up there more often than not.
And you address them by their rank (but not number) and name. "Warrant Officer Smith" or "Chief Warrant Officer Jones" if you're equal or senior and "Sir or "Ma'am" if junior. Some Officers will call them by first names, but I rarely will out of respect, unless they're close friends and it's a private setting.
And you address them by their rank (but not number) and name. "Warrant Officer Smith" or "Chief Warrant Officer Jones" if you're equal or senior and "Sir or "Ma'am" if junior. Some Officers will call them by first names, but I rarely will out of respect, unless they're close friends and it's a private setting.
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CWO2 Shelby DuBois
And... the original Marine Warrant Officers were either Quartermaster or Weapons skill sets. The Quatermasters handled supply and payroll issues whereas the Weapons WO's were to be the duty expert on anything that belched metal and smoke. The weapons WO's were differentiated by a bursting bomb insignia collar device and often referred to as "Gunner". A WO was "appointed' by the Sec of Navy then "Commissioned'by the President, upon promotion to Chief Warrant Officer. With all due respect to the Naval service, never call a Marine Warrant Officer 'Chief'... While "Gunner" is used officially by bursting bomb wearing CWO's... most all Warrant Officers use the moniker these days...
Civilians are always confusing "Gunner' and "Gunny" by the way.. Thanks, Agent Gibbs.
Civilians are always confusing "Gunner' and "Gunny" by the way.. Thanks, Agent Gibbs.
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Sgt Wayne Horton
I am so happy to hear about the bursting bombs, I served under two gunners with that insignia, and they are also lifetime friends. one more note, never once go in front of a gunner without your knowledge in hand. really good advice.
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In the Marine Corps they are the epitome of leadership. They are a fountain of knowledge where all come to drink. Tellers of tales true and legend. Connoisseur's of caffeine. One whom the enlisteds trust by virtue of their past, and officers to rely on if they value their future. Ooorah. Oh...and we're humble. Very humble.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Do all MOS have potential to become WO's? Is there potential for a W to become an O?
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CWO2 Shelby DuBois
SSgt Alex Rogers ... Each year the Corps convenes a WO Selection Board. They'll determinewhat MOS's they want to fill...This year: "To apply for the WO program, applicants must be technically and professionally qualified to serve in one of the below-listed MOS(s): 0160, 0170, 0205, 0210, 0430, 0610, 0620, 0640, 0650, 0803, 1120, 1310, 1390, 2110, 2120, 2125, 2305, 2340, 2602, 2805, 3010, 3102, 3302, 3402, 3408, 3510, 4130, 4430, 4602, 5502, 5702, 5804, 5805, 5910, 5950, 5970, 6004, 6302, 6502, 6604, 6802, 7002, 7380". You should apply for one or more of the MOS's in cases where the need for the primary MOS closes out. If that happens they will automatically move you to the alternative MOS you select. The application process is just that ...a process. There is much more to it than just sending an application letter. See this link for more information. http://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/1050324/fiscal-year-2018-fy18-enlisted-to-warrant-officerwo-regular-selection-board/
The competition for selection is fierce as you might imagine.
And secondly, yes... you can go from the Warrant Officer ranks to the regular officer ranks via the LDO Program. A Limited Duty Officer is a regular officer, however, the LDO is usually restricted to billets within his technical expertise.
The competition for selection is fierce as you might imagine.
And secondly, yes... you can go from the Warrant Officer ranks to the regular officer ranks via the LDO Program. A Limited Duty Officer is a regular officer, however, the LDO is usually restricted to billets within his technical expertise.
FISCAL YEAR 2018 (FY18) ENLISTED TO WARRANT OFFICER/(WO) REGULAR SELECTION BOARD The Official...
132055Z JAN 17MARADMIN 024/17MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2017/CG MCRC QUANTICO VA//SUBJ/FISCAL YEAR 2018 (FY18) ENLISTED TO WARRANT OFFICER/(WO) REGULAR SELECTION BOARD//REF/A/MSGID:DOC/CMC MPP-35/YMD:20060207//REF/B/MSGID:DOC/MCRC,
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