Warrant Officer bonus?

[Kra]

I am prior service have a bachellors degree in aviation mgmt. What are the bonus amounts for a WO?

Thanks

[matthew.ritchie]

The only WO bonus is $10k upon completion of WOCS and WOBC and award of the MOS. Speak to your state's Officer Strength Manager.

[andrew.tischner]

Sir is that straight from NPS to WOCS ??? if so do you have a regulation that says we can enlist them straight into Warrent as NPS?

[matthew.ritchie]

Sir is that straight from NPS to WOCS ??? if so do you have a regulation that says we can enlist them straight into Warrent as NPS?

Evidently there is a 09W enlistment option. It's a bit tricky, since the individual must be predetermined by the career field proponent. I recommend speaking with your NCOIC for best guidance.

[andrew.tischner]

Ok just checked the ECM there is a 09W but it is only for PS so that answers my own question

[Rhughes]

Major and Spc. Tischner,

I have spoken with the WO assessions manager for Michigan and this is what she told me. The best route for PS personnel is to enlist become MOS qualiifed or requaled in my case serve for a year then submit the WO packet.

I know for me that would mean the guard would have to do a MOS crossover (forgot the exact term) request. For example; I was a cook in the Navy the best route would be to go back into Food Service (for the max $$) then wait a year drop the packet to be a Food Service Warrant. Like I said this is what they told me.

Major, I know you are the expert so I am just putting out what I was told. By know means do I state this is gospel for everyone.

[matthew.ritchie]

Major and Spc. Tischner,

I have spoken with the WO assessions manager for Michigan and this is what she told me. The best route for PS personnel is to enlist become MOS qualiifed or requaled in my case serve for a year then submit the WO packet.

I know for me that would mean the guard would have to do a MOS crossover (forgot the exact term) request. For example; I was a cook in the Navy the best route would be to go back into Food Service (for the max $$) then wait a year drop the packet to be a Food Service Warrant. Like I said this is what they told me.

Major, I know you are the expert so I am just putting out what I was told. By know means do I state this is gospel for everyone.

Was that MAJ Lavetta Bennett in Michigan? Anyway, she is correct. What you'll find, however, is that WO accessions is as much art as it is science. That's why you'll find that my mantra on this forum is "speak with your state's Officer Strength Manager." There are way too many variables to give a one-size-fits-all answer to many of these questions.

Example: If you're an E4 Infantryman, you have no WO career path ... except that this fellow is a computer network manager as a civilian, in charge of 10 people, and has a dozen technical certifications. Thus, we can take his civilian education & experience and predetermine him as a 251A Warrant Officer -- no MOS, no BNCOC, no military experience in that field whatsoever.

[Rhughes]

Major,

I spoke to CW2 Salters. She was very helpful. But I am still limbo awiting waviers

[sprdave32]

Hello Major Ritchie,

I have a growing interest in returning to the service in a WO capacity. Like your aforementioned example; I served four years in the Active Army as a construction engineer but much has changed since then. I am now an IT professional currently serving as an IS manager with a mid-sized Virginia corporation. I have earned a degree in information systems and now have many of the top certifications in the field (MCSA, CCNA, NET+, etc..). I would really like to know where to start in pursuing my goal of becoming a WO. It is encouraging to read in the subsequent posts that there is an 09W re-up option and it seems that I may fit the requirements based on your statement: " Thus, we can take his civilian education & experience and predetermine him as a 251A Warrant Officer -- no MOS, no BNCOC, no military experience in that field whatsoever."

At your convenience I would like to get your advice regarding the subject.

Thanks!

David A. Willette

PS: I served for a year in the VaARNG (2000, 01) after my ets from active service. I drilled in Danville with 1/246 FA and your name rings a bell...?

[matthew.ritchie]

Hello Major Ritchie,

I have a growing interest in returning to the service in a WO capacity. Like your aforementioned example; I served four years in the Active Army as a construction engineer but much has changed since then. I am now an IT professional currently serving as an IS manager with a mid-sized Virginia corporation. I have earned a degree in information systems and now have many of the top certifications in the field (MCSA, CCNA, NET+, etc..). I would really like to know where to start in pursuing my goal of becoming a WO. It is encouraging to read in the subsequent posts that there is an 09W re-up option and it seems that I may fit the requirements based on your statement: " Thus, we can take his civilian education & experience and predetermine him as a 251A Warrant Officer -- no MOS, no BNCOC, no military experience in that field whatsoever."

At your convenience I would like to get your advice regarding the subject.

Thanks!

David A. Willette

PS: I served for a year in the VaARNG (2000, 01) after my ets from active service. I drilled in Danville with 1/246 FA and your name rings a bell...?

Mr. Willette:

In 2000-1 I was the battalion FDO in Danville. I have a vague memory of you as well. Small world!

Anyway, since you're still in Virginia I can hook you up. Email or call me directly with your contact info, and we'll get the ball rolling. See my website link for contact info.

For readers in other states, contact your state's Officer Strength Manager. Call 1800-Go-Guard and they can hook you up, or your local recruiter can.

[todd.a.roy]

Sir,

Came back in to the reserves as a CW3 in 2003 and completed WOBC after about 2 years, 2005 time frame....

Would I be entitled to the Bonus?

Doubt it but thought id ask??

CW4 Roy

[matthew.ritchie]

Sir,

Came back in to the reserves as a CW3 in 2003 and completed WOBC after about 2 years, 2005 time frame....

Would I be entitled to the Bonus?

Doubt it but thought id ask??

CW4 Roy

No, for several reasons:

1. The bonus program didn't start until 2005, so if you joined prior, you were not under that regime.
2. If you had already served in the Selected Reserve as a WO, you would also be ineligible.

[49ersBaby]

I am in WOBC right now. When I became a Warrant Officer I didn't sign anything for an accession bonus when I was appointed because I was a Technician at the time. Right now I am not under any contract or anything. Am I still eligible for the bonus? Is there any direction that you can give me on where to look for this informtion?

Thank You

[matthew.ritchie]

I am in WOBC right now. When I became a Warrant Officer I didn't sign anything for an accession bonus when I was appointed because I was a Technician at the time. Right now I am not under any contract or anything. Am I still eligible for the bonus? Is there any direction that you can give me on where to look for this informtion?

Thank You

1. Technicians and AGRs are not eligible for the bonus. You are correct, and this has been consistent for all SRIPs from the beginning.
2. These officer bonuses work differently from enlisted bonuses, inasmuch as you don't necessarily contract for them ahead of time.
3. When you completed WOBC, were you a technician or not? Please provide a specific timeline of relevant events. Your case may require a determination by the Incentives Manager at NGB.

[solsolomon]

Hi Maj Ritchie,

I have a quick question for you. I re-enlisted (in the Guard) after being out of the army for some time- 17 years. I have a 09S option to OCS, but I would much rather be a Warrant Officer. I know there are so many benefits to being a commissioned officer, more pay, great leadership training, and a chance to have a positive impact on the army.

However, I like the idea of being a Warrant Officer. There are so many benefits to being a warrant officer. I would be a highly trained specialist in my field—and my field would be guaranteed. I would have less of a chance to lead, but I think I could have a really positive affect on my section.

I told my captain that I thought I could get something more technical in OCS, and he said I could always branch signal or something. But, that’s not the real hands on stuff I’m interested in. To be honest, I didn’t even know the NG had warrant officers until I saw one at my Officer Prep Academy—helping us get all of our paperwork squared away.

So my question is, would it be possible to go ahead and go to my AIT, not using the 09S option, then wait a year or so, and after I make SGT try to get into Warrant Officer Candidate School—I’m currently a SPC--? I’m a little worried that my unit may not want to send me to WOC School because I didn’t take the OCS option when I had it. I probably sound like a flake, but I really didn't know there were warrant officers in the guard. I believe I could make a good commissioned officer or a good warrant officer, but I can tell the officer recruiter and my captain really want me to become a commissioned officer.

As I see it, my other option is to wait to go to Warrant Officer School after this enlistment is up. That would be six years down the road; which I don’t mind, I plan to stay in the Guard until I’m 62 or they throw me out because I’m too old.


Thanks!

[matthew.ritchie]

Hi Maj Ritchie,

I have a quick question for you. I re-enlisted (in the Guard) after being out of the army for some time- 17 years. I have a 09S option to OCS, but I would much rather be a Warrant Officer. I know there are so many benefits to being a commissioned officer, more pay, great leadership training, and a chance to have a positive impact on the army.

However, I like the idea of being a Warrant Officer. There are so many benefits to being a warrant officer. I would be a highly trained specialist in my field—and my field would be guaranteed. I would have less of a chance to lead, but I think I could have a really positive affect on my section.

I told my captain that I thought I could get something more technical in OCS, and he said I could always branch signal or something. But, that’s not the real hands on stuff I’m interested in. To be honest, I didn’t even know the NG had warrant officers until I saw one at my Officer Prep Academy—helping us get all of our paperwork squared away.

So my question is, would it be possible to go ahead and go to my AIT, not using the 09S option, then wait a year or so, and after I make SGT try to get into Warrant Officer Candidate School—I’m currently a SPC--? I’m a little worried that my unit may not want to send me to WOC School because I didn’t take the OCS option when I had it. I probably sound like a flake, but I really didn't know there were warrant officers in the guard. I believe I could make a good commissioned officer or a good warrant officer, but I can tell the officer recruiter and my captain really want me to become a commissioned officer.

As I see it, my other option is to wait to go to Warrant Officer School after this enlistment is up. That would be six years down the road; which I don’t mind, I plan to stay in the Guard until I’m 62 or they throw me out because I’m too old.


Thanks!

Before you do anything, have a conversation with your state's OSM or Command Chief WO. They can give you the best guidance based on your situation and on local conditions. The plan you have described is a good one, but I can't determine whether it is the best one without knowing your technical background, and knowing your state's force structure projections.

[WO1 MANGLONA]

Hello to all,
I just joined the Guam Army National Guard last week, coming from the Army Reserve. I completed WOCS and WOBC last year. I am WO1 and I am a 915A. I wanted to find out if I quailify for the accession bonus in the guard, I was offered it in the reserve but did not accept due to the fact I wanted to transfer to the guard. If anyone has any information on this matter it would be appreciated. Have a great day to all.

RESPECTFULLY,
WO1 MANGLONA

[matthew.ritchie]

Hello to all,
I just joined the Guam Army National Guard last week, coming from the Army Reserve. I completed WOCS and WOBC last year. I am WO1 and I am a 915A. I wanted to find out if I quailify for the accession bonus in the guard, I was offered it in the reserve but did not accept due to the fact I wanted to transfer to the guard. If anyone has any information on this matter it would be appreciated. Have a great day to all.

RESPECTFULLY,
WO1 MANGLONA

You should take this up with your Officer Strength Manager or Command Chief WO. What you did or didn't do in the USAR is irrelevant, since you aren't eligible for the bonus until you complete WOBC and are awarded the MOS. Thus, now is the time to act.

[WO1 Quinones]

Was that MAJ Lavetta Bennett in Michigan? Anyway, she is correct. What you'll find, however, is that WO accessions is as much art as it is science. That's why you'll find that my mantra on this forum is "speak with your state's Officer Strength Manager." There are way too many variables to give a one-size-fits-all answer to many of these questions.

Example: If you're an E4 Infantryman, you have no WO career path ... except that this fellow is a computer network manager as a civilian, in charge of 10 people, and has a dozen technical certifications. Thus, we can take his civilian education & experience and predetermine him as a 251A Warrant Officer -- no MOS, no BNCOC, no military experience in that field whatsoever.

Excellent information pertaining to warrant officers.