Officer to Warrant Officer transition

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 11:37:56 -0500

This is an issue that I have seen addresses mostly for pilots, but I feel it might be an under utilized source throughout the military. I know that in many capacities the WO Corps is lacking in candidates and are looking to swell their ranks.

I myself, as I transition further through my career and find myself in more and more staff meetings and performing my job less and less have considered this option as a possible route later in my career. I also feel it will be difficult to make LTC or higher as a Signal/MI officer and I feel I could continue to mentor and drive soldiers as a WO. My favorite part of the job is doing my assigned job and mentoring soldiers to do theirs at the best they can do.

Is this something we should be looking at as a possible career move? How about to help fill the WO ranks that are lacking in some respects?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 1:23 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 13:23:20 -0500

Go PSYOP, CPT Zachary Brooks! ;)

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 12:38 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 Jun 2015 12:38:08 -0400

We had a guy in my basic course that went from CPT to CW2 so I know it happens.

It has been some time CPT Zachary Brooks since you posted this question. Have you found out anything?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 5 at 2018 4:07 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 05 May 2018 16:07:59 -0400

I recall an O-6 who moved to CW2 so he could remain in service after maxing out at 30 years. We were the same rank but I struggled to not refer to him as COL.

Response by MSgt Neil Greenfield made Sep 21 at 2018 7:23 AM

MSgt Neil Greenfield — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 07:23:28 -0400

How about from Colonel to Warrant Officer!
See the article below.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/http://www.army.mil/article-amp/90988/army_pilot_serves_40_years

Army pilot serves 40 years

Things and people that are constant fixtures in life often get taken for granted. In the Army, everything changes eventually.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 14 at 2019 2:57 PM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:57:54 -0500

Sir, I have seen NG Officers transition to WO in FA and Ordnance branches on the National Guard side. The process then wasn't that difficult. I would reach out to the School house to see if your field crosses over and what it would take.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 6:31 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 06:31:17 -0500

Hey, Zach! I came to the same decision point as you recently. I realized as I completed my KD time for Captain that it would likely be strat rat time for a vast majority of our time in MI now. Really, if we are lucky, we could get S2 of a combat brigade, but the probability of that is very low. I thought about the same things you are and decided to VTIP into a functional area. I did it two years ago and haven’t had a single minute of regret ever since. Every job in a functional area is KD, and every project is challenging. They don’t expect you to hold leadership billets, just be the subject matter expert of your field in the room and advise the leader/decision maker when needed. The warrant officer corps is also great. A friend of mine from OCS also made that transition (from 35D to aviator) and she is very happy. Options to consider.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 3 at 2019 6:58 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 18:58:31 -0400

I remember as a W01 in 11th Aviation group they said go to flight school. Why I asked? Taxi driver.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Jun 3 at 2019 7:00 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 19:00:56 -0400

Look up LTG Ron Hite. My battalion commander at Fort Ord. He was my senior rater..As a cw2.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2019 12:58 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 12:58:10 -0500

Sir, I would say plan carefully. I noticed you said, "later in my career". There are age and AFS time limits on applications, I just got an AFS waiver approved for my WOFT packet for being two years past the AFS limit, so it may not matter too much but it definitely doesnt help to allow additional obstacles into your packet. Good luck on whichever path you choose though!