Is the time in service cap for the Army Warrant Officer program getting the most qualified Soldiers to fill its ranks?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 10:45:47 -0500

If the Warrant Officer program is designed to recruit Soldiers who are subject mater experts for a particular MOS, is the Army actually getting experienced Soldiers to fill the CWO ranks when it puts a limit/cap to the years of service a Soldier has in order to apply for the program?

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 19 at 2013 10:35 PM

SFC James Baber — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 22:35:12 -0500

Jason,

I thought I answered this once before. I think that they are losing quality Soldiers with experience and knowledge that could be considered invaluable with the limit and cap that is currently in place.

Example: A few year before I thought about retiring, I was approached by my local CID on kind of a recruiting pitch, one of the senior guys that worked their knew me from when we worked drug interdiction and asked me if I was interested, we call up to HRC in falls church, VA at the time and they told both of us no way possible because I had over 14 years federal TIS, and the cutoff was 12 yrs. He fought for me and told them of my back ground and all the things I had done that were perfect for the job and the field, they couldn't care less, there were waivers available, but they didn't want to help out with that either, I think that if I had gotten that I would still be active today and a productive member of the CID environment.

So I guess their and my loss on both accounts.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 19 at 2013 10:37 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 22:37:31 -0500

I think it has the opposite effect. When fishing for expertise, the more time in, the better. Your subject matter experts are not to be found in the 1-10 year range group.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2014 5:28 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 05:28:07 -0400

One of the factors with the time in service cap is trying to fill the senior warrant ranks as well. We won't do right by the warrant officer corps (or the Army), if we all retire as a CW2. With the 12 year cap, we get 8 years of service as a warrant officer, and on the tech side we get them to CW3...enough time for them to fall in love with being a warrant officer and hang around for CW4 and CW5.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 5:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 17:52:46 -0400

I really don't the 12 year time in service cap for warrant is doing the Army justice. I really think it should be what is best for the branch. If someone is very good at their job and knowledgeable then I believe 15-16 years would be better. I did read CW4 Starritt' post and think it is a valid point for making rank and keeping quality warrants around. Given my situation and my previous statement I tend to think the Army is selling itself short and not getting ALL the talent they can get.