What is it really like to be a warrant officer in the Army? What does it take mentally to become that type of leader?

Javier, first off one of the best questions I have seen on this forum. You are still young in your career, but your looking forward and asking the right kind of questions. So you've answered the second part of your question yourself. What does it take mentally? The ability to think outside the box, ask yourself what will it take to keep moving forward and implement that plan with little to no supervisor and guidance. A warrant officer know they are doing a good job when they are invisible. The only time your on anyones radar is when the train goes off the tracks.
What it's really like to be a warrant officer? In a word, AWESOME. You've proven yourself as one of the best in your field; as such command will leave you alone to do the magic you do. But, like all things you have to work your ass off to keep on top. Just because its 1730 doesn't mean its time to go home. Your there until the job is finished.
My advice to you: keep asking the right questions, learn everything you can about your job, tell your warrant your interested (and prove your interested, you couldn't believe how many times we hear " I was thinking about dropping my packet.") work your civilian education and PT. You have to be both mentally and physically strong. Good luck, and if there is anything you need in the future send me a message.

Your MOS is a feeder for Armament Systems Maintenance Warrant Officer or Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer, which are you planning to apply for? Both of these have a minimum requirement to be at least an E5. Got to http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/WOgeninfo_enlmos.shtml for more information.
To answer you questions: Becoming an US Army Warrant Officer was the best thing I did from my career. I made a decision at E3 to become a warrant officer and transitioned at E6 and have had a great career as a warrant officer. Your life will change in a number of ways. My work day changed a lot. As an NCO I had a set day e.g. PT at 0630 work call at 0900, and generally out by 1700-1800. As a warrant officer my bosses did not tell me where to be and when. Most times my duty day begins at 0600 and ends after 1800, depending on mission. I drive my day to day business based on my bosses priorities and missions. Often people wonder why warrants are not at PT, it is because we are at work, PT for most my career has been on my own with once a week officer PT. There have been times (in Division) that PT was everyday with the troops. Regardless I had to remain fit and passing APFT and height/weight standards. Army warrant officers are technical leaders and must lead by example and do the right thing. Because our cohort is so small (3% of the Army) we are continually under a microscope. Days can be challenging but very rewarding and I would do it all again. If you want to be a warrant, get a warrant officer as a mentor. They will guide you to reach your goals. As a PFC my warrant mentor was a CW3. Go to the website and exceed all the prerequisites, work hard, take the hard jobs, and let your boss and NCOs know your goals. Finally, go to a warrant officer recruiting briefing on your post as soon as possible.

Great question. Like a few of my peers have stated here, being a warrant officer is in one word, AWESOME! As the subject matter expert (SME) in your field, your advice and opinion on technical solutions is often sought after. LTCs/COLs love us and SSGs/SFCs want to be us, LTs/CPTs envy us. It's a strange rank, but believe me, it's one that is highly respected.

I have completed roughly 40 recommendation letters in my career and I believe about 38 were selected. My number one question I ask a candidate is, "Why do you want to be a Warrant Officer?" If the answer, in one way, shape, or form...doesn't come back "Because I love my job"...then it probably isn't the place you want to be. DO NOT go Warrant if you do not like your job, trust me, because that is pretty much all you will ever deal with for the rest of your career.

As you know, Warrants are the technical experts in their fields, and a lot goes into that "technical" part. Most Chiefs I know, have a passion for what they do, reason they are so good at it. I was an Information Systems Technician (Signal Chief, retired about 8 months ago). Not only did I love my job, but often, I would spend time at home and on weekends working on systems, building computers, reading articles, and sharing knowledge with friends. I was the guy that fixed everyone's home computers on the weekends...lol.

So the technical part, we all know that Chiefs do that, but also as a Warrant, you instantly become a mentor...to the enlisted guys coming up and to junior Warrant officers in the Army. As a Warrant, you are constantly searching out those enlisted members that you know would make a good Warrant, then mentoring them, and helping them decide to submit a packet. As a senior Warrant, you are constantly assisting your junior Warrants with assignment choices, reviewing their Officer Support Forms, and courses of actions for their career. As a senior CW4, I was always asked by the juniors, "What did you do to get there (CW4), and what should I do?"

So much more than just being technical, but also being a leader, mentor, teacher to your junior personnel. That is a big part of the job.

But honestly, it was the greatest decision I ever made in my military career. I was assessed as a freshly promoted SFC...I think I wore the rank for like 2 weeks, before I started Candidate School. If you love your job, and you love what you're doing, submit a packet. You'll love being a Warrant in your field.