If an NCO approached you asking about staying Enlisted vs Warrant vs Officer, what would you say?

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 12:56:43 -0500

If an NCO or junior enlisted Soldier approached you with the aforementioned question, what advice would you recommend and why?

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 17 at 2013 1:01 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:01:47 -0500

This is a very tough question because it depends on each and every soldier and how well you know them. I've helped soldier with warrnat packets, PA packets, and they are all very different.

I would encourage a soldier to stay enlisted if I think he has great interpersonal skills with dealing with "soldier" issues. It is important for senior leaders to not only know Soldier's but know why they do what they do. They need someone who can relate to them and empathize.

The only Warrant I've ever helped was for flight school. He just wanted to be a pilot. Too easy.

Officers I've helped were just great nurses/medics that showed an ability to take their education to a higher level. They not only were good at what they did but understood why they were doing it. They wanted to do more.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 17 at 2013 1:09 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:09:49 -0500

It just depends on the individual and their skillset.  Brilliant kid who you think is wasted in their current position? Go commisioned.  Smart kid who's great at his job but not exactly "leader" material? Go Warrant.  Smart kid with great leadership potential? Stay enlisted. There's a 1000 other variables as well, to include temperament, education, communication skills, overall character, etc... There's no one "shake and bake" answer...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2013 1:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 13:14:18 -0500

CW3 Jones, I think it would depend on their work ethic, character, values and ultimately what would fit them the best. I would sit them down and chalk up goals and passions to figure out which would be best for them. I'd recommend they sit down with a few commissioned or warrant officers to get further guidance on the specifics. As a leader, being honest with them would be most important.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2013 6:44 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 18:44:47 -0500

SSG Hasbun,=) I can’t
help it but back in the day when I did my last promotion board. One of the
questions asked was "What is LEADERSHIP?" Leadership is influencing
people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to
accomplish the mission and improving the organization. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Leadership
is not a skill set that is cornered by NCOs, Warrant Officers or Generalist
Officers. I ask that you please not say Warrant Officers are not Leaders.
Thru our Technical Skill set we do indeed provide purpose, direction, and
motivation IOT accomplish the CDR’s mission. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

Here is
how I look at it:<o:p></o:p>

If you
think that person would be the great as the next CSM of the Army, Air Force, Navy
or Marines one day… Then Please stay Enlisted.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

If they REALLY
enjoy their current job and DO NOT want to PROMOTE themselves out of that Skill
or environment… Then Please go Warrant. Even after I am promoted to CW5 I will
stay in the maintenance field “for the most part”<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

If you can
see yourself serving under them as your Commander one day… Then Please go Green-to-Gold.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>

We ALL
LEAD soldiers in one way or another… I would just look at what that persons
future goals are.    <o:p></o:p>

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2013 7:23 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 19:23:05 -0500

It depends on the Soldier and their skills, their qualifications, and the mood the Army is in that day. My advice is: Find something you love and do it for money, even if that thing you love is killing people with indirect fire.
On that note, keep multiple pots going on the range. Complete the AA/AS for green to gold or the BA/BS for OCS while ensuring you meet the requirements of your warrant field and stay focused on meeting all the requirements for promotion under DA PAM 600-25. A lot of this stuff overlaps.

Response by MAJ Derrick J. made Jan 8 at 2014 9:38 PM

MAJ Derrick J. — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 21:38:04 -0500

I made the jump from enlisted to officer for my own reasons - leadership training and career advancement, as well as development for myself for my own personal goals.

My experience was a good one and the move from enlisted to officer was the best move I ever made. Some people are not wired to be at the front or be responsible for many issues and many people - nothing wrong with that. Others have a more narrow focus in terms of personality, and others simply don't want to be in charge and just want to be part of the team and do "cool high speed sh*t." Nothing wrong with that either. Go with your temperament and long term goals - if Warrant or a Commission is appealing, hopefully for the right reasons, and it fits who you are and who you want to be, do it.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 9 at 2014 1:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 13:18:07 -0500

When I was a young soldier in the Army I wanted nothing more than to be an Officer because I wanted to be a Company Commander and I saw how men who were Enlisted reacted to Officers. When I made SGT, I wanted nothing more than to be a Non-Commissioned Officer. They started the big push for Warrant around the time I was a SSG, I never submitted my packet because as a SSG 25B I enjoyed what I was doing and had no desire to be a Warrant or an Officer at the time. Now I am a SFC and began to realize that as an Enlisted soldier you literally compete with your peers for promotion and I rarely if ever get to do what I enjoyed the most about the Army. That was being a 25B. I spend the majority of my time with paperwork and meetings and rarely touch Computers, Servers or any other IT equipment. Warrants and Officers do not have to compete on the level that Enlisted soldiers do for promotion and in some cases don't deal with the BS that NCO's do (DUI's, MP's called on a soldier, basic soldier issues) and we get paid significantly less money than both. Looking back on things I wish I would have completed my degree and went to OCS for the money, or submitted my Warrant packet so I could focus on being a Technician and not being pulled in 5 different directions to do something not so exciting. My recommendation would be if you're in it for the money go Officer, if you're in it professional job satisfaction go Warrant. It's all what you want out of your decision. I always recommend Officer if they plan to retire and Warrant if they just want to gain a high level of expertise.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2014 12:10 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 00:10:00 -0500

I get told all the time by everyone (Soldiers, NCOs, Warrants, and especially my wife) to go warrant but dont feel I am good enough to be a warrant. My wife beats me up all the time about it especially since all her friends are warrants. I love working with Soldiers and dont know how anything works as an officer (ie. the promotion system, OERs, etc). I have pretty good NCOERs and never have been in trouble. Am I just crazy or should I just do it? I am a 91B30 with 8 years active duty service. I am currently in Korea and I am headed to The Old Guard for my next assignment. Can anyone give me any advice?

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made Feb 23 at 2014 9:58 AM

MAJ Samuel Weber — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 09:58:42 -0500

This question is nearly impossible to answer. Why you ask? Because it completely depends on the individual. All paths provide great rewards and fulfillment. I was proud to be an NCO and I think I would have excelled as a 915A (Warrant) but in the end I have found my place as an Officer and truly enjoy it. What is hard to do is to figure this out at the young ages of 18-21. How does a young person choose the right path at such a young and inexperienced age? Every path has its top positions. Nothing is more rewarding then serving as a PSG, 1SG, CSM or CW3-5 or as a commander (CPT, LTC, COL). Sorry I don't have a better answer.   

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Feb 23 at 2014 10:20 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 10:20:26 -0500

I feel that I was a pretty good Army NCO. I feel that I am a pretty good Air Force Officer. Never tried Warrant (there are none in the AF and are none in any of my career paths). I think that success is what the individual makes of it. I have a buddy that is SSgt(P) (we were room mates WAY back in the day). He is very successful on the Enlisted side of the house. I have gone from Enlisted to Officer and I feel that I have had a successful career. Overall, it is what you want it to be.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Mar 2 at 2014 1:57 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 13:57:06 -0500

Officers - Commands the execution of orders

Warrant Officers - Technical experts to specific fields

NCOs - Enforces standards and the orders to be carried out
Soldiers - The workhorses of any unit/industry

Just like our government, their must be a separation of powers for balance.

Hope I'm on the right track

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 1:59 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 13:59:24 -0500

MSG Morgan,<div> </div><div>I once had dinner with Colonel who had been all of the above. His words As an enlisted man he wanted to make changes and couldn't. As a Warrant he couldn't make large changes but the Officers listened more to him. Then as an Officer there was still people who didn't care what he said. But he could influence more by setting the example and leading all under him. </div><div> </div><div>Just a thought.</div><div> </div><div>V/R</div><div> </div><div>1SG Haro</div>

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2014 4:07 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 16:07:56 -0400

This is a very personal decision and requires a lot of consideration. There are some great answers already. It's hard to know "who you want to be when you grow up." It's even harder to make those very binding decisions when you are in your twenties. I was seven years prior enlisted before deciding to make the jump to becoming a commissioned officer. My decision was entirely based on the job that I wanted, period.

And be wary of those that are so ambitious that they want to be four-star generals. Ambition, if kept in check, is not a bad thing, if you manage your work and your people well. We are not all going to be Chiefs, CW5s, or Generals. I would recommend you make your decision based on WHAT you want to do with the rest of your life. Those around you can tell when you don't like what you do. It's like showing up a major event in your father's suit.

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and
endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a
success unexpected in common hours."
- Henry David Thoreau

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 6:52 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 10 Aug 2014 18:52:15 -0400

Of the four branches that use Warrants, there are three broad views. I can really only speak to the Navy's (and, presumably, the Coast Guard's).

In the Navy, a Warrant is an alternate career path for CPOs. They fit one of the three basic areas in the Navy's management. That is:

- Chiefs manage people
- Warrants manage materials and processes
- Commissioned officers (yes, I know, I know) manage the navy.

With officers and chiefs, as they move up, their scope becomes broader. They start out specialized - M-Division Div-O, and grow less so - Main Propulsion Assistant, Engineer Officer, XO, CO... (and similar for Chiefs).

On the other hand, a newly-commissioned CWO2 is about as general as he's going to get. Instead, he moves to more and more specialized assignments, growing more and more detailed in knowledge. Eventually, a CWO5 becomes the god of his own little area of the Navy.

This is why I question the Navy's recurring attempt to end either the LDO or CWO communities (alternating every five years or so). They're completely different career fields which require completely different methods of personnel management.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2014 2:10 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 14:10:33 -0500

Stay NCO! That was the dumb response I used to give. I'd have to know the person. Don't recommend people on themselves and their goals. Recommend them on the goals of our future leaders. They don't have to possess everything before you counsel and recommend. They just need the potential. If this junior is a leader, I would try to influence them at the highest level. If the soldier is smart as a whip maybe warrant would benefit everyone best. If the soldier is a motivator, NCO is good. All have to mirror. I don't ever regret staying an NCO. hard being an officer. When I was coming up, NCOs could make mistakes and learn from them. Warrants and commissions were held to a higher standard. Nowadays. All mirror. Nobody can mess up.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2014 4:29 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 04:29:55 -0500

I believe that CW2 Goodman hit the proverbial nail on the head. Personal preference of the individual matters, but as a leader you have to judge and give your honest opinion of where you see that person's skill set making the most difference. In the end when both of those things are brought together, I believe that the best people for the most part will follow the career path that they are meant to be in.

Response by MAJ Christopher Daily made Dec 15 at 2014 6:46 AM

MAJ Christopher Daily — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 06:46:29 -0500

This really has to do with the individual. Their motivation for wanting to be a Warrant or Commissioned Officer will make all of the difference. I have been all three and there are upsides and downsides of each. I am really happy with where I am now as a Company Commander and can't think of anything I would rather be doing than leading Soldiers. Here is my response for each:

NCO: I loved leading Soldiers and that is really important. Your guys know if you really care. The pay is significantly different than an Officer's so this is a factor. (Raising a family and retirement should be a consideration) You will really have a limited ability to change the way your unit does business, unit dependent. At some point you will have to stop doing your MOS and simply become a leader and adviser.

Warrant: You are known to be a subject matter expert if you are a Warrant. Sure there are some young pilot types, but your job is to know as much about your MOS and to be a Subject Matter Expert in your field. There are very few Leadership positions opened to Warrants (A few PL and Command Positions) but they are only for a few years. There are, however, plenty of staff jobs and instructor jobs. You will be doing less with the private snuffy and more working to advise your BN CDR on how not to get everyone killed at the next LFX.
So you get to be more independent but directly lead less. That is why I went Commissioned.

Commissioned: There are many great things about being an officer. Better pay, more responsibility, better career opportunities, you get to work next to senior NCOs who have lots of great advice and lessons learned to pass on to you, and you are only limited by yourself, time, and 350-1. You will have a lot of stress, many deadlines, and you must be willing to accept failure and move on at times, but, when you succeed and your Soldiers succeed it is awesome. Oh and you get your own office. Seriously, it is great. And free cake. Did I mention the free beer?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 11:41 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 11:41:07 -0500

I know this is an old question, but it resurfaced. I find myself at a crossroads. This year I am going to be considered for WOC and for SFC. I already have SLC dates scheduled. It will be around the same time as WOC selection board. It would be interesting if I get selected while in school. Do I still wear the WOC "rank"?

I am hoping for WO. Regardless, I am planning for both eventualities.

Some comments talk about leadership. How does walking vs wing warrants factor into that?

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 21 at 2015 1:01 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 01:01:28 -0400

Well, since I went down that road, and had solid guidance, I would ask the Soldier what they wanted to do, what their goals were, and their long term vision was. I would also explain who does what in the Army, and differences between the three. If they were planning on the Army as career, retirement pay differences should also be discussed. Not the prime reason for transitioning, but it does need to be discussed.

The Army needs skilled and committed NCOs, Warrants and Officers. I would always recommend to a Soldier, if they had a desire and the ability to be an Officer, or Warrant Officer, that they should always give it a go.

At the same time, I know that we also need Superior NCOs, as our Army lives and dies by our NCOs Corps.

I was successful as a Soldier and an Officer all because of many great NCOs.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2018 2:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 14:40:33 -0500

I'll keep it short and sweet. I'll tell them that everything ain't for everybody and that they need to follow their heart. When they make a decision, I'll help them in every way possible.

Response by SPC Ray Orvin made Sep 4 at 2021 7:03 PM

SPC Ray Orvin — Sat, 04 Sep 2021 19:03:26 -0400

Warrant cause you get the best of both worlds and nobody screws with you