How can a US Army Warrant Officer change MOS's?

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 11:15:28 -0400

I have a Warrant Officer coming from active duty into the reserves. He has an MOS that doesn't exist in the Army Reserve (150U Drone Operator or similar). We want to make him an MI Warrant (CI specifically) and he is willing and able to attend every school necessary. He is a CW2 and has 6 yrs as a WO and 9 yrs TIS. I KNOW this is VERY rare but it HAS been done in such cases but I can't find anyone who knows how to do this. Been to the Career Management guys, HRC, recruiters, etc. If anyone can help I'd sure appreciate it!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 11 at 2019 12:00 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 12:00:22 -0400

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) I know it is possible, just haven't seen it done since the late nineties. Our PBO Don Alsbrook was reclassified after the Nuclear Technician program for 8" went away. Don reclassified as a CW4, attending the WOBC. Don had some say in which field he reclassified to, he chose PBO because of the accountability procedures were the same. I am surprised the recruiting guys don't know how to make this happen. It would be rare, but often enough that it is a thing. Can't be any different than if your airframe goes away and you are transferred to another one.

I would also say that a BN CDR will likely have to do a letter of acceptance at some point.

I'd reach out to these guys...notice it says....previously served as a warrant officer. https://recruiting.army.mil/ISO/AWOR/National-Guard/

U.S. ARMY RECRUITING COMMAND In-Service Opportunities U.S. Army Warrant Officer Recruiting ...

The official website for the Army Recruiting Command (USAREC)

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jun 11 at 2019 12:01 PM

SGT Javier Silva — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 12:01:45 -0400

Application Process for Changing MOS
As part of the application to become a warrant officer for a different MOS than their current position, the candidate must have a security clearance of Secret or Top Secret, and he must have 12 months or more remaining on his enlistment contract to be able to proceed with the application. In addition to documented experience within the new MOS, the applicant may be required to complete certain college courses applicable to the new MOS. The application, with any applicable waivers, is submitted to the proponent coordinator for consideration of the candidate. All applications must be submitted by the yearly deadline in order to be considered by the Warrant Officer Appointment Board.

Getting a Waiver
If a warrant officer candidate does not meet all of the listed requirements, particularly the military experience in the specific MOS prerequisites listed for the desired warrant officer position, the candidate may apply for a waiver. He must submit a waiver request for each prerequisite that he does not meet, and he must explain how his experience or knowledge gained in another MOS should be grounds for the waiver. Each waiver request will be reviewed by the military proponent for that MOS, who has the right to grant or reject the waiver request. He must submit a waiver for each prerequisite that he has not completed with the warrant officer application.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 11 at 2019 2:46 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Jun 2019 14:46:14 -0400

Looks like there are some good answers here already. I’m kinda in a similar situation but going Active from Reserve to avoid changing MOS from my original due it being eliminated in the Reserve. Have you tried talking to USARC Warrant Officer Accessions? Ultimately like mentioned above the best bet would be to talk to the Reserve Proponent for the desired MOS.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2019 9:07 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 21:07:41 -0400

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) its definitely possible. About 4 months ago, it was a topic that CW5 Hal Griffin spoke about on the WO Teleconferences he hosts. It was aimed towards the maritime warrants who needed to find a new MOS but mentioned that if people met some, but not necessarily all of the requirements that there could something like an embeddment into a unit to help get OJT and experience before being school trained. I don't know if you have his contact or ever called in to one of those.

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Jun 27 at 2019 6:24 PM

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) — Thu, 27 Jun 2019 18:24:04 -0400

Here's the answer! To reclass from Aviation to MI this WO (CW2) will have to go to a recruiter and enlist into the new MI MOS (in this case CI). He will not resign his commission, he will simply "switch" to become enlisted (grade to be determined, likely E6). This prevents a break in service like a resignation would do. He will then attend the MOS school. Once he has sufficient experience and time in the MOS he can apply for a direct commission back to WO and he will resume being a CW2, no WOCS. He will have to attend both WOBC for MI and WOAC MI, even though he has already completed WOAC AV. MI proponent will not lateral WO's into MI but he could have lateraled into being a mobility warrant officer, 882A. This is all confirmed by WO Accessions and MI Proponent.