Does anyone have any knowledge on what the board looks for in a Warrant Packet?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 19:34:35 -0500

I would like to become, more competitive with other SM who are submitting Warrant Officer Packets. I'm currently in ALC and I know that I need to get my GT score up but, I know there is more to it. I feel like I can offer the Army something different other than taking care of soldiers. Now, that may sound bad I still love being a Noncommissioned Officer, I just have grown to admire the Technical Proficiency of Warrant Officers.

I think a different "stress" would also be good on me. Or, a different "challenge". Some things that would probably help with a better answer is

1. I have quite a bit a tattoos but, none are visible in my ASU's
2. I'm a 91M , I have been in 9 years as of Monday
3. I'm currently completing ALC now.

I'm just trying to get some since of direction to start off in.
Thanks

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Nov 20 at 2015 7:36 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Fri, 20 Nov 2015 19:36:06 -0500

One of the biggest things is to make sure everything is complete and updated. So your DA photo needs to be updated with your correct awards. Make sure everything is in iperms, more often than not, people have awards that are missing. Make sure you education, deployments, support forms, OERs, and everything that is important is on your ORB/iPerms/2-1.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2015 9:27 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 09:27:55 -0500

It's very important to, if at all possible, stay within your feeder MOS for your duty position---continue to be rated as a 91M on your NCOERs.
If there are any civilian certifications for your field, such as ASE, it could help you distinguish yourself from your peers if you picked up your field's relevant certification. Gaining college credit towards your Associates or Bachelors degree and increasing your APFT score are other great ways to improve your selection odds.

Stay motivated and never quit!

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2015 1:32 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 13:32:29 -0500

Know your competition. There are a lot of people seeking to be Warrants. You need to be set apart from your peers and not just meet the minimum requirements.
Be persistent. Even if you dont get picked up the first time, there are other looks and you can resubmit later as well. I wasn't selected my first look.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2015 1:31 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 01:31:35 -0500

Contact me at [login to see] and we can set a time to talk on the phone. Unfortunately this mode of commo won't cut it.

Response by CW5 Ivan Murdock made Nov 24 at 2015 7:31 AM

CW5 Ivan Murdock — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 07:31:37 -0500

NCOER's - it is a promotion board. If you are to be competitive they have to be as though you were competing for SFC - SO you can have a 2 but you can't be just average center or mass kind of guy. Civilian education along with military education. I know that it isn't required but the metrics have shown for decades now that it is a discriminator. Physically fit and meet weight standards! Physical fitness is the anchor that all soldiers should look to. It is what separates us 100% from our civilian counterparts - it also although time consuming is what sets the example for your soldiers. It makes for a clear head and those 5 hours a week are what make a career. Letter of recommendation - When going to get your BN CDR, Senior Warrant letter go with your packet almost completed, have copies of your NCOER's and ERB available so you can have the discussion of why your wanting to make the transition and what you offer the Army in that role. Good luck with the process! and don't be discouraged- if you get a qualified - non select it can mean you simply hit a board where the slots available were small. The discriminators I mentioned earlier can be the difference.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 8:18 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 08:18:53 -0500

While I have never sat on the accession boards what I can tell you is that you should scrub your service data very throughly. Ensure that you ERB (including photo) accurately reflects your OMPF records. Ensure that you have all required application documentation, do not cut corners. That's your best bet, I'm sure that there will be much better qualified Chiefs on here who have sat on accession that can provide better clarity. Good Luck!

Response by CW4 Scott Kjendlie made Nov 24 at 2015 9:48 AM

CW4 Scott Kjendlie — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 09:48:14 -0500

Good luck to you on taking that step. With that said, first and foremost focus on raising your GT score. It is a non-waiver able requirement, as well as some others listed on the USAREC Warrant Officer recruiting website at http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/. Second, make sure your packet is exactly the way it states from the site, do not deviate from that. The completeness of the packet is extremely important, so make sure you list what you need to list, and all corrections have been done. Have a current DA photo, that is essentially your first impression that you will give to the board. Tattoos should be fine as long as they meet the current regulations. Lastly, it is very important to have all 1059s in the packet, and NCOERs should reflect that you are an outstanding Soldier and NCO capable to taking that next step. Best of luck, if you need any more information fell free to look me up on global.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 10:00 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 10:00:56 -0500

Go to the Warrant Officer Recruiting Website. It will tell you exactly what you need for your packet.

Response by CW3 Scott Webster made Nov 24 at 2015 12:07 PM

CW3 Scott Webster — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 12:07:05 -0500

On the same plane with the other helpful responses, I recommend putting together your packet as completely as you can (minus physical or updated photo). Seek the advice of a 913A and 915A CW3 or higher with your packet on hand. You're not necessarily seeking a recommendation letter from them, you're getting their professional opinion on whether your credentials are in line for an accessions board and what you need to improve to get there. Couple of easy rules: do not 'letter shop'. The WO who recommends you will also sign off on your packet checklist and should contact any previous WO raters and senior raters on your NCOERs. If you're not a good candidate, but need time to get there, they will likely inform others within the field of why they did not recommend. Second: if you want to be a WO, emulate every positive trait you see in them! Seek the advice from your local Warrant Officer Chapter (I know Ft Hood has one), especially the recent retirees.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2015 6:18 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Nov 2015 18:18:16 -0500

By your description you are interested in being a technician. There are 3 basic requirements to be considered for a Warrant Officer. It sounds like you are aware of them already. There are top notch Warrant Officer Recruiters(NCO's) that can help through the process from beginning to selection. They work with you every step of the way to prepare you for your selection. In the Warrant world there is no recommendation that can allow a exception or substitution for what is required for selection. It sounds like you would be a worthy candidate once you shore up a couple of things. Your GT score is a must. The school requires a lot of comprehension and they just want to make sure you can grasp it. You can retest for a higher GT score at anytime. Usually at a MEPS and some recruiters offices and colleges.

Response by CW3 Vernon Messer made Nov 25 at 2015 8:23 AM

CW3 Vernon Messer — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:23:40 -0500

The Army "makes" Warrant Officers, in the technical disciplines, now vs when I was appointed some 30 years ago. During that era, it was common for senior E-6s, E-7s, & E-8s to be appointed as Warrant Officers due to their years of seasoning in the ranks. The candidates of today are selected at lower ranks, and sent to the WOC course to develop the necessary traits and skills. I am sure you already know this. Prepare: Obtain as many technical certifications as you can. Get an Associates Degree in a relevant field. Then start working on your 4 year degree. They key attribute you should acquire is the desire to be technically the best Bradley maintainer in the US Army. What this means is knowledge of every system, sub-system, next higher assembly, nut, and bolt regardless of its significance. Know how and why the Bradley was fielded...where did its concept originate? How was it developed? Next, you should be tactically the best leader. Be expert in land navigation, communications procedures, operations in the defense, and in the offense. Yes, you still make sure Soldiers are taken care of. Be a mentor and share your knowledge with those Lieutenants, and Privates alike. Strive to be the most competent Warrant Officer in the US Army, while being the superb Soldier too.

Response by CW3 Chris Davis made Nov 25 at 2015 10:33 AM

CW3 Chris Davis — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 10:33:36 -0500

Jacob,

Have you reviewed all the prerequisites on USAREC’s page ? http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/prerequ/WO913A.shtml

This will give you the best information on what you need to do in order to be competitive, Big thing as stated on the link make sure your rater is doing you justice and rating you properly, I have had Motor Sergeants that wanted to submit packets and were rejected simply because their rater did them an injustice and rated them as a Platoon Sergeant rather than Motor Sergeant.

Also don’t sell yourself short, get in there and raise your GT I actually had my packet ready and didn’t feel I was ready to take on that tremendous weight because I was attempting to fill some big shoes from my former mentors. Anyway at any rate go and be the best Warrant Officer you can and remember where you came from, the Army says we are leaders yes we are but we are first and foremost the Technical Expert and adviser to the command and Mentors to young soldiers coming up, believe it or not they do look up to us, and are just like kids they see you doing well you know.
Good luck and God Speed in your Journey.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2015 12:36 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Nov 2015 12:36:56 -0500

Promotion Boards "typically" look at several primary items including: 1-Updated DA-Photo, 2-Updated ORB DA-4037, 3-Military & Civilian Education Qualifications, 4-Updated APFT & Weapon Qualifications, 5-Updated Board File with ALL supporting documentation. The key is to make certain that the Soldier's Board File in I-PERMs is Updated, which shows the soldier is focused on career management. Hopefully this will assist & happy Thanksgiving, LTC-G.