Warrant officer
A warrant officer (WO) or a Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) is a member of a military organization, with a rank subordinate to other commissioned officers and superior to non-commissioned officers.The warrant officer corps began in the 13th century in the nascent British Royal Navy. At that time, nobles assumed command of the new Navy, adopting the Army ranks of Lieutenant and Captain. These officers often had no knowledge of life on board a ship —let alone how to navigate such a vessel or operate the guns— and relied on the expertise and cooperation of a senior sailor who tended to the technical aspects of running the ship and operating the cannons. These sailors became indispensable to less-experienced officers and were rewarded with a Royal Warrant. This Warrant was a special designation, designed to set them apart from other sailors, yet not violate the strict class system that was prevalent during the time.
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In the British Army, a warrant officer is a senior non-commissioned officer.
A Company Sergeant Major is a WO2 (Warrant Officer Class 2). A Regimental Sergeant Major is a WO1 (Warrant Officer Class 1). WO1 is the highest rank attainable by a non-commissioned officer.
In the United States military, a Warrant Officer was originally, and strictly, a highly skilled, single-track specialty officer. However as many Chief Warrant Officers assume Officer in Charge or Department Head positions, along with the high number of Bachelor and Master degree's held within the community, their contribution and expertise as a community is ever increasing. There are in fact, no Warrant Officers in the US Navy, but rather "Chief Warrant Officer", is the correct title. In the US Navy one must have been an E-7, E-8 or E-9 to obtain the status and grade of Chief Warrant Officer. In the US Army and US Marines, one can progress to CW-1 at a grade lower that E-7, and thus have a longer career and greater opportunity to serve and grow. Upon the initial appointment to W-1 a "warrant" is given by the secretary of the service, and upon promotion to Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-2 and above,) they are commissioned by the President of the United States, take the same oath and receive the same certificate and charges as all other commissioned officers, thus deriving their authority from the same source. Chief Warrant Officers can and do command detachments, units, activities, and vessels as well as lead, coach, train, and counsel subordinates. As leaders and technical experts, they provide valuable skills, guidance, and expertise to commanders and organizations in their particular field. Even when commissioned they remain specialists, in contrast to commissioned officers who are generalists, though many Chief Warrant Officers fill Liuetenant and Lieutenant Commander billets throughout the US Navy.
In the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines, CWO's may fill position normally held by more senior officers as well. The US Army has many pilots within the CWO community, which differs in philosophy from the other uniformed services. Often in a battalion sized unit, the assistant personnel officer (S-1) and the motor pool officer are warrant officers.
Each branch of the military "runs" the "Chief Warrant Officer" program in slightly different ways. Little is known or published concerning the Chief Warrant Officer, and consequently they are often misuunderstood by the unindoctrinated.
A Chief Warrant Officer's benefits and privileges are roughly comparable to those of a junior commissioned officer, and should be at or above those of senior enlisted. A W-1 is paid the same as an O-1 (second lieutenant or ensign), a CW-2 the same as a 0-2 (first lieutenant), and so forth.
In the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard one must have been a senior enlisted (E7 thorugh E-9) to gain the commission.
British Army
United States
Air Force
The U.S. Air Force does not currently have warrant officers, but they exist in the other branches of the U.S. armed forces.Army
The U.S. Army warrant officer is the highly specialized expert and trainer who, by gaining progressive levels of expertise and leadership, operates, maintains, administers, and manages the Army's equipment, support activities, or technical systems for an entire career. The Army program began with the warranted Headquarters Clerk in 1896.Marine Corps
The U.S. Marine Corps has warranted officers since 1916 as technical specialists who
perform duties that require extensive knowledge, training and experience with particular systems or equipment. Their duties and responsibilities are of a nature beyond those required of senior noncommissioned officers. Marine Corps warrant officers provide experience and stability in the officer ranks in critical specialty areas. The primary purpose for warrant officers is to create and maintain a selected body of personnel with special knowledge of a particular military specialty.Navy
In the U.S. Navy, warrant officers are technical specialists whose skills and knowledge were an essential part of the proper operation of the ship. Based on the British model, the U.S. Navy has had warrant officers among its ranks, in some form or another, since December 23, 1775, when John Berriman received a warrant to act as purser aboard the brig USS Andrea Doria. That warrant was considered a patent of trust and honor but was not considered a commission to command.Insignia
Abbreviation
Paygrade and Rank
Army
Navy / Coast Guard
Marine Corps WO1
Warrant Officer 1
no longer in use
CW2
Chief Warrant Officer 2
CW3
Chief Warrant Officer 3
CW4 Chief Warrant Officer 4
CW5
Chief Warrant Officer 5
Now Available in US Navy beginining FY04- Images forthcoming.
See also
External links
Official sites
References