Lateral Transfer to the O-Grade or W-Grade Ranks

Very interesting question Chief.  I have been a NCO since I pinned on CPL stripes way, way back in the day.  I cannot imagine myself being anything other than a NCO.  I both personally and professionally enjoy my role as a NCO and would not trade my stripes in for anything.   

Chief,&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>One problem, these lateral transfers don't equal experience? A WO1 has less than two years as a warrant and isn't even commissioned? How do they rate equal to a CPT? USC 10 directs that all commissioned officers have a 4-year degree. Now I had heard a rumor that back when we were short O-3 and O-4s they were toying with this but did require a 4-year degree. In my opinion there is no exception for experience. I was an E-7 and made the switch to the O Grades and for all the experience that I had I still had no idea how to be an officer. I had to learn how to lead like an officer and how to be an officer. I value the time I had as a PL and XO.</div><div><br></div><div>&nbsp;I had this same discussion with a Corps CSM, he said that he had thought about it and even spoke with his wife about the possibility of making the switch (back then the rumor was a CSM with a degree would got to O-4). I simply asked him one question. I said "CSM, what do you as a CSM pride yourself on?" He had no answer. I said "Having experience and sharing it with your Soldiers, right?" He said yes. Then I said "CSM, what are you going to do when your BC looks at you as the BN XO and a Major and expects you to show your 12-16 years of officer experience? Or when that young CPT comes to you with a problem he/she is having as a commander and you have to tell them that you were never a commander?" The skill sets just wouldn't have been developed.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>See the issue. Just picture this, we take CSM and direct appoint them to CW4? How would that work? A CSM hasn't been a technical expert for years! A CW5 to LTC? How competitive would he/she be for Battalion Command? See as an officer you have to meet KD positions to be competitive for the next grade. How does it work for Warrants? Do you just hold technician jobs for 20 years? Or are there jobs you have to hold?&nbsp;</div>