Warrant officer (United States)

[1][2][3] This application differs from the Commonwealth of Nations and other militaries, where warrant officers are the most senior of the other ranks (NATO: OR‑8 and OR‑9), equivalent to the U.S. Armed Forces grades of E‑8 and E‑9.

While the ranks are authorized by Congress, each branch of the uniformed services selects, manages, and uses warrant officers in slightly different ways.

Warrant officers can and do command detachments, units, vessels, aircraft, and armored vehicles, as well as lead, coach, train, and counsel subordinates.

Most flight officers were graduates of various USAAF flight-training programs, including power and glider pilots, and navigator and bombardier ratings.

Once reaching operational units and after gaining flying experience, flight officers were later offered direct commissions as lieutenants.

Some of the first eligible flight officers were Americans who had served as sergeant pilots in the Royal Air Force and who transferred to the USAAF after the U.S. entered the war.

In March 1944, the first six women were appointed to the warrant officer grades as Band Leaders and administrative specialists.

The program was temporarily cancelled in 1959 due to military budget cuts, but was reinstated in 1963 to meet the increased demand.

On 10 September 1956, AR 670-5 authorized the approved insignia for the new ranks that consisted of a metal frame around a brown enamel bar.

[10] In 1973, a reduction in force began and chief warrant officer helicopter pilots were offered promotion to the rank of first lieutenant to retain combat veterans.

This brought Army CWOs in-line with those of the "Sea Services" (i.e., Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard) who had always been "commissioned warrant officers."

A waiver may be granted on a case-by-case basis if the applicant has comparable experience in the government service or the civilian sector.

The aviation field is open to all applicants, military or civilian, who meet the stringent medical and aptitude requirements.

Technicians attend training at their respective branch's Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) before moving on to their assignments in the Army.

Aviation-branched warrant officers remain at Fort Novosel to complete flight training and the aviation WOBC.

An appointment to W-⁠5 has been written to be limited to only 5 percent of the warrant officers of that armed force on active duty.

The regular Warrant Officer Selection Program requires a minimum of eight years of enlistment upon date of appointment (not commissioned), proof and/or demonstration of their 'exceedingly technical proficiency' within their MOS field, and achieved the rank and pay grade of sergeant (E-5) or above.

These gunners are commissioned as a chief warrant officer 2 directly from enlisted and wear the Bursting Bomb on their left collar.

Warrant officers perform duties that are directly related to their previous enlisted service and specialized training.

[28] Until 1912, a midshipman graduating from the United States Naval Academy was required to have two years of sea duty as a warrant officer before receiving a commission as an ensign.

After completion of flight school, selectees were placed in one of four types of squadrons: ship-based Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) or Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadrons, and land-based fixed-wing maritime patrol and reconnaissance (VP) and fleet air reconnaissance (VQ).

Enlisted sailors in the grades E-5 through E-7 who had at least an associate degree and were not currently serving in the diver, master-at-arms, nuclear, SEAL, SWCC, or EOD communities were eligible to apply.

A minimum of three-years in grade with a total service time of 12 years must be achieved before appointment and commission to chief warrant officer (W-2).

[38] The USAF inherited warrant officer ranks from the Army at its inception in 1947, but their place in the Air Force structure was never made clear.

[29] On February 17, 2024, the Air Force announced that they will bring back warrant officers after over 30 years of hiatus.

As the service evaluates the outcomes of the program, these ranks will initially be limited to Airmen in the information technology and cyber career fields.

[42][43] By the end of July 2024, 78 Airmen were selected to be among the first Air Force warrant officers in over 66 years, more than double than originally estimated.

Per Defense Logistics Agency documents MIL-DTL-14639/69 and MIL-DTL-14639/53E, the new 2024 warrant officer insignia will follow the Army pattern, but will have oriental blue enamel in lieu of black.

Due to the small size and decentralized organizational structure of the Coast Guard, commissioned warrant officers often fill command roles.

Warrant officers frequently serve as commanding officers of Coast Guard stations and patrol boats but also fill a variety of billets as specialists and supervisors in other technical areas, and serve as special agents in the Coast Guard Investigative Service.