Army Warrant Officer Training
Army Warrant Officers (WO) occupy a unique space between the enlisted ranks and the officer corps. They have a high level of technical proficiency within their Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). Army Commissioned Officers (CO) may work in one branch (Infantry, Engineer or Finance) but their jobs correspond more to management and thus don't have the same level of technical knowledge of WOs. Because of this, WO training is quite different from the enlisted and commissioned route.
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Qualification
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All WO MOSs (except for Rotary-Wing Aviator) require that the candidate be currently in the Army and in the appropriate "feeder MOS." For example, in order to qualify for 351M (Human Intelligence Collection Technician), the candidate must currently hold the enlisted MOS 35M (Human Intelligence Collector). WO MOS 153A (Rotary Wing Aviator) is open to all enlisted MOSs and non-prior service recruits although preference is given to those currently serving.
Application
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Some of the materials that go into a WO application packet include a resume, high school or college transcripts, flight physical results, an essay stating why you want to be an Army Aviator and letters of recommendation (preferably from active military personnel). The recruiter (for non prior service) or WO Strength Manager (for Active Duty or Reserve) will help assemble the packet.
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Basic Combat Training (BCT)
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All Solders (enlisted, officer or warrant) will go through the nine week BCT cycle. Here future WOs will learn basic soldiering skills like drill, marksmanship and tactical movements. This training is the foundation that will ensure a successful career for new WOs.
Warrant Officer Candidate School
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WOCS teaches students the basics of unit leadership. Candidates learn how to manage their time, plan events and teach other soldiers. There is a lot of physical training and sports competition. There are also numerous regulations ranging from how to operate the M16 rifle to how to enter the dining facility (DFAC) and properly eat a meal food. There is a purpose for all these seemingly nit-picky rules: to get the candidates to pay attention to detail. Those that make it through the training, will go from Candidates to Warrant Officers.
Basic School
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Rotary-wing aviator is one of the most popular MOSs. This training pipeline is actually a series of classes including Primary Flight, Helicopter Dunker, and Night Operations training. For this specialty, total training time runs about two years. Other WO MOSs, such as Electronic Warfare Technician or Bandmaster, range from a few months to a year and a half.
Ongoing Training
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For WOs, training never stops. Once formal training is over with you are sent to your unit and then you train for your job in accomplishing the unit's specific mission. WOs serve as team and section leaders, however positions like platoon leader and company commander are conducted by commissioned lieutenants and captains. The WO's job is to maintain an expert level of technical knowledge and train and lead enlisted teams.
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References
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