Warrant officers are armed forces personnel who provide technical expertise for military equipment and combat operations. These positions come with several benefits, though military careers are expected to have little or no growth in the coming years.
What Is a Warrant Officer in the Military?
What does a warrant officer do? Warrant officers are ranked military members who serve in the Army, the Navy, and the Marines as technical experts, combat leaders, and instructors in their field. The Air Force does not have warrant officers as part of their military ranks.
A high school diploma or GED is the only education requirement, but warrant officers generally must have a military rank of SPC/E-4 and must pass the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery test with a score of at least 110. Becoming a warrant officer is an excellent career for those interested in pursuing leadership positions in the military.
What Is the Difference Between a Warrant Officer and a Commissioned Officer?
Warrant officers have minimal educational requirements and are focused on the smooth operation of equipment and operations in which they gain knowledge and expertise. Commissioned officers have higher education requirements and are groomed to become military leaders. Warrant officers can earn their way up the military chain to a position on the par of commissioned officer when they achieve the status of Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2).
| Required Education | High school diploma or GED |
| Other Requirements | Military rank of SPC/E-4 or higher, except Army Aviator Warrant Officer; U.S. citizenship; Age between 18 and 46; Pass the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery test with a score of at least 110 |
| Projected Job Growth | Little to no change for all military careers through 2028* |
| Monthly Salary (January 2020) | Based on rank and service length*, $3,213.08 per month (for warrant officer basic pay; increases with service and promotion)** |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **militaryrates.com
Warrant Officer Job Description
Warrant officers work in all branches of the armed services except the Air Force. A warrant officer's main focus is to serve as a technical expert. They are leaders in combat and provide guidance and instruction in the technical field. Specific duties include operating and maintaining military equipment, such as aircraft or marine vessels, and integrating technology into the combat operations. Along with teaching military personnel about new and integrated technologies, officers also serve as mentors to soldiers and provide them with developmental guidance and counseling.
Warrant Officer Types:
- Navy
- Army
- Marines
Chief Warrant Officer Jobs and Designations
What does a Chief Warrant Officer do? A Chief Warrant Officer is a supervisory position. They are leaders and experts in the area they are assigned to. Their ranks range from CWO2 to CWO5. With each rank achieved, the Chief Warrant Officer gains in expertise and responsibility.
Chief Warrant Officer designations and jobs vary according to the branch of the military. Examples include the following from the US Navy and US Army:
| Navy Chief Warrant Officer Designations and Jobs | Army Chief Warrant Officer Designations and Jobs |
|---|---|
| Boatswain (Code 711X) Surface | Field Artillery Targeting Technician ( Code 131A) |
| Operations Technician (Code 712X) | Electronic Warfare Technician (Code 170B) |
| Engineering Technician (Code 713X) | Signals Intelligence Analyst (Code 352N) |
| Special Warfare Technician (Code 715X) | Counterintelligence Technician (Code 351L) |
| Ordnance Technician (Code 716X) | Imagery Intelligence Technician (Code 350G) |
| Combat Craft Technician (Code 717X) | Armament Systems Maintenance Warrant Officer (Code 913A) |
Steps to Becoming a Warrant Officer
- Most warrant officer positions require you to gain experience and pay your dues in the Army, Navy, or Marines
- Apply to Warrant Officer Candidate School
- Pass Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
- Pass physical fitness/health exam
Warrant Officer Educational Requirements
How do you become a warrant officer? The warrant officer position isn't entry-level, and prospective officers generally have a military rank of SPC/E-4 or higher. Army Aviator Warrant Officer is the only position that does not require previous military experience. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, usually between the age of 18 and 46, have a high school diploma or GED certificate, and meet height and weight standards for active duty along with a multitude of other medical and physical standards. The application process also includes passing the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery test with a General Technical score of at least 110. More specific requirements vary depending on the branch of service.
Warrant Officer Training Process
Candidates approved by the specific military branch's secretary begin the training process by attending Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, or other military education and training institutes. Prospective warrant officers also train in a technical specialty of their choices, such as Special Forces or military intelligence.
After graduating, students are promoted to the warrant officer position at W-1 status, the lowest rank among warrant officers. After two years of service, officers may then earn promotion to chief warrant officer rank at grade CWO2 and seek promotion to grades CWO3 through CWO5 sequentially every six years. Promotion to these higher-paying ranks depends on factors such as performance, fitness, and scores on written and physical exams. The best way to begin the process is to contact the Warrant Officer Recruiting Team.
Warrant officers usually have years of military experience, rising to these positions over time. Requirements are extensive and include a high school diploma. These positions also have a wide salary range depending on rank and years of experience.
Warrant Officer Salary Info
Warrant officer pay, according to the U.S. Department of Defense is in the form of monthly wages. How much does a warrant officer make? Well, as of January 2020, a warrant officer's pay ranged from $3,213.08 for grade W-1 officers with less than two years of experience to $8,054.49 for grade W-5 officers with more than 20 years of experience (www.bls.gov).
Along with monthly earnings, warrant officers receive free or tax-free housing and food, dental and medical care, and a month of paid leave. In addition, the military personnel who choose to participate in an education benefit plan, such as the Montgomery GI Bill Program, receive financial support when they pursue education. After serving for 20 years, military personnel can begin to receive retirement benefits.
