Warrant Officer Enlistment

[Bert]

Hello everyone,
I have a few questions that I hope someone can shed some light on. I am joining the NCARNG Warrant Officer Enlistment, MOS 153. I am prior service, 6 yrs USMC and have a B.S. Aviation Management. Will I be eligible for SLRP? Are there any accession bonuses for the Warrant Officer Enlistment Option? What will I do before I am Federally recognized as a WOC? Will I be able to retain my rank, E5, before being recognized as WOC? Regardless of the monetary benefits I'm still joining. I look forward to a second military career. Thanks for any info!

[matthew.ritchie]

SLRP is an enlistment incentive. Any enlisted incentives you may have will stop upon your appointment as a Warrant Officer. I'm not an expert on enlisted incentives, so I can't tell you whether you are eligible for SLRP in the first place, but most enlisted incentives are predicated on serving DMOSQ in an enlisted slot, so I highly doubt it.

Currently (until 30 September) there is a $10k accession bonus for new commissioned and warrants. It's only payable when you are DMOSQ, so don't go buy a new car just yet. I don't know the bonus regime for next FY.

You'll need to attend WOCS. If your state OSM/CCWO is smart, they'll send you to Pennsylvania's pre-WOC IDT weekend. It's a taste of what WOCS is like, and it weeds out those who aren't serious (not you, of course). Each state does different things with their pre-WOCS applicants. Ask if you can drill with OCS for the experience, or perhaps even at the RSP.

A WOC is paid at pay grade E6, or his previous pay grade if higher.

[formerknighthawk136]

Being 37 now and will be 38 in October, do you think that I have a better chance of getting a commission or becoming a WO? I have a B.S. in criminal justice and a M.S. in counseling, prior service Navy (4 years active), and almost 10 years with the dept. of corrections in my state. As for the commission, could I go to the active army OCS, so I will meet the age limit for commission? Also, if I chose to go for the WO, can I become a WO for 31B? Furthermore, If I get a commission, I want to be an officer that works in the 31B area. Is that possible or am I reaching for straws? I am going to be enlisted 31B (E-4); however, I do not have a MOS shcool date as of now, due to lack of funds, etc. I do know that I will be going to WTC next June. It is my understanding that I cannot apply for commission until I am MOSQ, so right now I am in a pickle. I signed up under the try-a-year program because I could not get the SLRP until MOSQ'ed. I will re-enlist upon MOSQ, so I can get my student loans paid off; then I will submit a commission packet. Does this sound like the right direction for me at this point? Thanks.

[matthew.ritchie]

First, ensure that NC has Warrant Officer slots in Military Police. This is a conversation you need to have with my counterpart in NC, CPT Steve McCormick: stephen.l.mccormick@us.army.mil.

If you aren't commissioned at age 39, then you never will be. You can be 46 at initial appointment as a WO, however. I recommend having a conversation with CPT McCormick about your options. Don't just look at the pay scales, look at what you would be happier doing. A WO stays more closely focused on a narrower field, whereas commissioned officers are generalists and are thus all over the place.

[formerknighthawk136]

Thank you Sir. I appreciate your feedback. I live in Illinois, and I think the Warrant Officer is a better option for me because of the fact that it is more job specific. Nontheless, I am exploring both aspects of the Officer program. As for the pay, I do not have a preference for which commission pays more. I am a smart and focused person, and I believe that I will be a superb leader for the Army, either enlisted or officer. I think you have offered a lot of good information in the forums here. Keep up the good work.

[Rhughes]

Major,
Thanks for the info. I was not told about hte possiblity of losing the SLRP incentives if I Assended to WO. I was told (I remember what you said abotu this being more of an art) that after I enlisted and became MOS qualified wait 1 year inorder to keep the first payment of the bonus then submit that packet. I am going to shot the WO Assension Manager an email to find out.

Thanks for all your great information.

[Bert]

Thank you for the great guidance. You're a wealth of information Major.

[michael_mansun]

I've heard a bit about Warrant Officer Enlistment, but am not sure what it means. Can I sign a contract stipulating that if I join the reserves that I am guaranteed a chance at becoming a warrant officer? So far I've been told that same ol' deal of "you've got to join first as enlisted and then apply, but don't worry, it's easy, we are suffering a huge shortage. They are waiving everything and ...etc.." Sounds verbatim like the first time I got tricked into being a private.

I do not wish to be enlisted again and do not want to risk getting stuck in the enlisted ranks as a 43 year old E4. I simply couldn't do it. So, if I can not get a guarantee, I'd rather steer clear.

Please advise.

[Blue]

I've heard a bit about Warrant Officer Enlistment, but am not sure what it means. Can I sign a contract stipulating that if I join the reserves that I am guaranteed a chance at becoming a warrant officer? So far I've been told that same ol' deal of "you've got to join first as enlisted and then apply, but don't worry, it's easy, we are suffering a huge shortage. They are waiving everything and ...etc.." Sounds verbatim like the first time I got tricked into being a private.

I do not wish to be enlisted again and do not want to risk getting stuck in the enlisted ranks as a 43 year old E4. I simply couldn't do it. So, if I can not get a guarantee, I'd rather steer clear.

Please advise.

HI Michael,
Did you get a reply to your statement "Can I sign a contract stipulating that if I join the reserves that I am guaranteed a chance at becoming a warrant officer? "?

Thanks in advance,
BLUE

[b747dogg]

So what are the MAX ages for Aviation as a Warrant Officer and Officer? Are my chances greater with alot of aviation exprience?

Thanks.

[WO1 MANGLONA]

Hello to all,
I just joined the Guam Army National Guard last week. I came from the Army Reserve as 915A. I have finished both WOCS and WOBC, just wondering if anyone knows if I qualify for the accession bonus in the guard, I was offered it in the reserve, but declined due to the fact I wanted to transfer to the guard. I completed WOBC November of 2006. If anyone can give me guidance on this matter it would be appreciated. Have a great day to all.

RESPECTFULLY,
WO1 MANGLONA