US Military (All Branches) WARRANT OFFICER RANKS Explained - What is a Chief Warrant Officer?

[@LifeisaSpecialOperation]

We teach Security, Elite Performance & Fitness / Military Preparation. Learn more about our Courses, eBooks and Fitness Programs at lifeisaspecialoperation.com/ Thanks for Watching.

[@otway00]

I retired as a CWO3 in the Marines. A butterbar once asked me what a Warrant Officer did and I told him it was our job to know where all the skeletons were buried. Went over his head

[@josemadarieta3]

my new lieutenants never had to ask after i took them for a 150 mph joyride through the trees in the middle of a pitch black/poor flir night. good times

[@bomcstoots1]

@@josemadarieta3 lmao.

[@waterlife.1905]

Cav Scouts call them Chief. Respect..

[@kananisha]

Lol

[@dw7094]

I remember im 1991, Gen. Gus Pagonis saying in a staff meeting that he gaf enough CW4's polishing chairs at CENTCOM, and he wanted to hear from the people where the rubber met the road.

[@SamuelDiaz21]

Warrant Officers truly are technical experts. As a Marine in the Comms field, warrant officers are the Marines i look up to the most. They are extremely competent in their job and have so much knowledge to impart. They're very laid back in my experience, and great mentors to have.

[@luked.4131]

Yeah, all the ones I met were extremely laid back and great leaders, exactly

[@zhfsms2168]

Were u radio data or networking?

[@sanlorenzo7896]

I remember leveling up in BF4 and I was curious about the Chief Warrant Officer rank. Thanks for the clarity.

[@molasses76215]

This comment is facts haha

[@hichemhamaimi2672]

if he sees your comments he'll make fun of you, he really hates gamers....

[@Airbomb]

Pissing off vets is a national sport

[@pricelessppp]

@@Airbomb Pissing off everyone is considered a sport! 😂

[@thehermitman822]

Where the rank really counts. 😆

[@scottouellette9411]

I spent 20yrs. 72-92 in the 101st.AA I put my heart and blood into it.I retired as a CWO4 and love my pension. It was time well spent.

[@vonmazur1]

I was a W-1 at age 19....after one year in combat in Nam, CW-2, National Guard CW-3. I wore the old Army WO bars, which are now long gone..In the Guard, I had to buy the new ones...I liked the old ones a lot better...I was an Army Aviator and Instructor Pilot, at a very young age...

[@robertproctor7771]

My brother n law just retired after 30 years in. He was a CWO5, and started as a private, in the Marines. He was rewarded the Bronze. He has a Purple heart and the man has so many other service medals that I don,t know what they are for. He served in combat 5 times, in many battles. He started after high school in 89. He has had one hell of a ride I would say. He even was a drill instructor.

[@rarelibra]

he was awarded, not "rewarded"...

[@williamarden5441]

Chief warrant officer W5 was very rare to see when I was in the Navy. Only seen 1 in my 10 years of service, and they where about 60 years old

[@phillipmoore9012]

My father retired in 1970 as a W4 after 30 years in the Air Force (originally Army Air Corps). I don't believe the Air Force ever had a W5, or at least I had never heard of such a rank.

[@JacobHover]

W5s are fairly new still. They came around in the 90s so thats probably why you haven't seen them. They usually are up there in rank like full birds. You most likely won't see any that aren't leading entire divisions in the sense of being a technical expert. The W5s I knew, were like in charge of R&D for X device/aircraft or were instructors that taught O3-O5s even. Things like the commanache and some other products. They are the ones that you'll see bringing up MEANINGFUL presentations, not like some of those younger COs that are trying to get kudo points for coming up with some new type of training that doesn't have much research put into it.

[@richjackson2986]

@@JacobHover CW5s are even rarer in the Marine Corps & Navy because of the path to Limited Duty Officer (LDO). Warrant Officers with 6 or 8 years as a warrant who meet the standards, complete additional training and are commissioned as O-2Es (Navy), O-3Es (Marines). They can only work in their MOS and cannot be promoted higher O-5, Lieutenant Colonel/Commander. I was an MP in the Corps and every Provost Marshal/CO I ever had was an LDO. 2 Lieutenant Colonels (MCAS Cherry Point), 1 Captain (MCAS Futenma). Edit: Also the Commander of the Marine Corps detachment, when I went to law enforcement school, also an LDO Lieutenant Colonel.

[@JacobHover]

@@richjackson2986 I had completely forgot about LDOs and the structure you are talking about is really different from what I remembered. I always thought LDOs could only reach O3s, let alone i didn't think it was very common. I will say that before I went into the Army I was lucky enough to see a W5 Infantry Marine with that Gunner title. That was before I even knew how rare that is or understood the rank. They are truly the unicorns of the military (W5s in general)

[@richjackson2986]

@@JacobHover When I got out of the Corps CW5 had only been around for 2 years. The most senior I ever saw was CW3. Later, in the Army Reserves, I met CW4 who was in charge of a supply depot at Fort Gordon. It always struck me as odd that in the Corps, Warrant Officers are almost gods, but in the Army they're akin to bastard children. No one seems to know what to do with them. Or it could be a reserve thing. I worked with a few maintenance WO and NCOs & commissioned officers seemed weary around them. As for LDOS, I think it had more to do with the MOS. Provost was, at the time, considered a deadend billet, so unrestricted officers shied away from it. Everyone of my COs retired or were planning to retire from the post. It was commonly known that most company grade 58 officers intended to get out and join a federal law enforcement agency.

[@fnln544]

The Air Force might not require warrant officers; however, in my opinion, the Space Force should afford warrant officer opportunities, to specialized technical personnel, similarly to the new cyber warrant officer ones of the Navy. As a former non-commissioned officer and now field grade officer (who never had the privilege of earning a warrant officer appointment), I have admiration and respect for warrant officers from ones to fives regardless of the branch. Thanks for the video as some service members don't have knowledge and understanding of warrant officers.

[@matthewh271]

I agree. If I might add the USAF should bring back the WO/CW in certain AFSCs like COM, CE and Security Forces

[@phatedfool]

Air force could use warrant officer well in some career fields such as ATC, but they don't want to.

[@evanvarns4785]

@@matthewh271 - I'd add UAS pilot to that list as well. In fact, I made that very suggestion to the Air Force Chief of Staff back in 2009; I'd just seen an article in the Air Force Times about the trouble the Air Force was having finding people to go into that career field; the "real" pilots wanted nothing to do with it, and the Air Force brass was insistent that the pilots HAD to be officers, despite the fact the Army Air Corps (the Air Force's predecessor) had used enlisted pilots frequently during WWII. Per Title 10, the Air Force has always had the authority to appoint warrant officers, even to this day; they've just chosen not to use them. Anyway, I made the suggestion that there were almost certainly a TON of people in their ranks who had the skill set to fly remotely-piloted aircraft, and that using warrants would be a great way to get them a career track that wouldn't necessarily cramp the style of the traditional pilots. I had what I thought was a very well-reasoned argument; I even came up with a plan to stand up the career field (this despite the fact that I was an Army E-6 in the middle of a deployment to OIF at the time). As might be expected, however, not only did I NOT hear back from the Air Force Chief of Staff (some O-6 flunkie on his staff replied instead - apparently he couldn't be bothered), I was told (politely, at least) to go lay by my dish. That told me a lot about what kind of "leaders" I was dealing with there...sorry, guys - I tried.

[@rangerdave9255]

After jumping out of airplanes for 7 years, I figured out I could make more by flying them. Warrant Officer Rotary Flight School in 79, made Wobbly One (W-1). Flingwing for 7 years flying 58s and Hueys (IP and SIP), and flew Fixed Wing for 7 years (C-12s). Retired as a CW4 after 21 years on active duty. My Dad was a walking Warrant. He ran a motor pool. After retirement, I spent the next 22 years as an Aviation Safety Inspector with the FAA. Now triple dipping. Life is GOOD!

[@redmeat2ndamendment695]

Ranger Dave we’ll done. You earned it.

[@dylanrutan100]

In the Marine Corps, an infantry warrant officer is properly introduced as CWO/WO(1-5) Gunner Name. For an example, CWO5 Gunner Wade, served as the gunner for the entire second Marine division. The position of the gunner in the marine corps exists in its lowest level at the battalion, and exists up to the division. In war fighting the Gunnner is a subject matter expert of all weapon systems organic to and directly supporting the infantry. He advises the commander of the most effective employment of individual weapons and units. In training he often overseas live fire maneuvers and ranges which require particular attention to safety. He’ll often be appointed as the senior officer of these training events. He plans them to insure most realistic training of his Marines, and inspects them to insure safety protocols are being met. The jr enlisted and NCOs will call him sir, as he is an officer of Marines. The SNCOs and certain officer may have the privilege of simply calling him gunner.

[@hirumbiffidum9145]

Well you see there's this retired "Toys for Tot's" guy that's that reached CWO-5 as a helicopter pilot and I asked him and he just simply said he was adressed as "Gunner". and very much like you described going at least as far back as that second world war back on Terra/Earth (1940's on Gregorian calendar nearly a century ago) there was a little bit of confusion as time went on as to the use of the term and title over years.

[@tokyomike8783]

The warrant officer with whom I had the privilege to serve and whom I will always respectfully remember was Gunner Shoffner, back in my days at Marine Barracks Guam, 1971. As a young Marine, Gunner Shoffner had been in the Marine garrison that existed in China in the 1930s, and of course he saw World War II, Korea and Vietnam. His rack of ribbons was as big as seen on generals. Always had a stogie in his teeth, and I'd swear Gunner was 60 or 65, if he was a day. And from my perspective as a PFC, he seemed sort of like Yoda.

[@dam1041960]

I miss Gunner wade. I love the videos that he did for the corps on you tube.... Semper fi devil dogs!

[@molierresignoga]

Semper Fi! I miss the Marine Corps

[@f.meacham100]

Kept waiting for the gold bursting bomb insignia.

[@andyrrafaelthebeastemperor8709]

Thank you, friend. I am Brazilian and a lover of military matters, and unfortunately I didn't had a way of understand the hierarchy, until now. You gave me finally a clear understating about the USAF. Thank you very much!

[@Itstwofourteen]

Andyr Rafael sou brasileiro tambem de Santarém Pará, e servi no US Marine Corps.

[@thegraywolf7487]

There was a w-5 aboard my ship. He was a damage control W-5 and I think he had about 35 years in and he drew more pay than the exec who was a commander.

[@rarelibra]

there's no such thing ... that was a CWO-5, not a "w-5"... get it right

[@wfwillis]

@@rarelibra CWO-5 is the rank, and W-5 is the paygrade...both technically correct. CWO4 (W-4) USN Ret.

[@rarelibra]

@@wfwillis We usually refer to the rank and not the grade.- CSM (E-9) USA Ret.

[@jamesleathers5488]

I was in Army aviation as a Avionics Mechanic and UH-1 Crewchief then OV-1 Technical Observer from 73-81. I can attest to the fact that Army Warrant Officers are some of the best pilots (Sticks) around.

[@cgsai2008]

Great video! This channel is SO underrated. The 1 person who disliked this video surely had their warrant officer package rejected! Thank you for the video sir🇺🇸👍🏽

[@dabluox]

I’m a retired SCPO, my biggest regret in my career in the Navy was turning down a CWO-2 commission and retiring. Often look back on that decision and say only if.

[@djbeezy]

One cool thing you could have mentioned was that for Army CW5's their ranks used to be similar to the CW4 rank but the rank was hollowed out. They only recently went to the vertical stripe.

[@christophersmith2241]

Great Video I enlisted in the Marine Corps 1986, Reached E-6 1995 and Got my warrant (W-1) 1997.. I was a (0803).. I got out in 2009 as a W-3 The Marine Corps was the Best time of my Life, Had a Great Career Ooh Rah

[@thephantomzoneboxing]

did any mid east tours?

[@TheGhostOperative]

so what did you end up doing afterwards?

[@madbomer72]

My grandfather was a CWO3 in the coast guard as an MK I’ve met people that served under himself they all say the same thing WOs are some of the more respected personnel in the services because of their skills and knowledge

[@thomasleeaquinas6322]

I reckon you were stationed at the 2CAB, since the female WO pilot you served was in Korea. Met lots of pilots in Korea when I was stationed at the AAOC. Long Live the US Military and we love and support you guys!

[@bokkebokke7]

Coast Guard has them too. They follow the Navy’s WO rank structure.

[@thatdude8850]

The cost gard copied the entire navy ranks structure

[@AH64Gunship]

​@@thatdude8850except for the insiginias

[@strider8933]

As stated previously, Marine WO's are referred to as Gunner. This is a HIGHLY respected rank as they tend to be VERY expert in their fields.

[@BradSivyer]

Until 1992/3, Physcians Assistants in the Army were Warrant Officers. Requirements were a minimum of 3 years service as an enlisted person in a medical MOS, usually 91B or 91C, Then acceptance to and completion of the Armys 2 year PA program. The Army commisioned PA's between 92 and 93.

[@justsittinhere72]

Thank you for this information. My brother retired as a CW-4 in the Army. He served in 33rd. Ord in Viet Nam. Cam Ranh.

[@lescobrandon3047]

In 1964, I was offered Warrant Officer School while at Ft. Hamilton, Brooklyn, NY. I found out that many were being killed flying in helicopters. Later offered OCS… So I ended up a Long Island sworn police officer.

[@j.rivera6402]

The benefit to being a Warrant (Army) is that you’re going to get used. If you know your shit as Chief, life is very good. Don’t be that Chief that isn’t reliable. In the Army, all of us are called “Chief” for the most part.

[@randy4163]

One thing you did not mention was that CWO's from W-2 to W-5 recite the same oath and receive the same commission as a regular Officer.

[@Odinsagoodboy]

I started as a Private E-1; Made it to the rank of WO2 in the Army Engineer Corp. I served for 11 years until an injury I received in Operation Desert Storm forced my discharge. If you are not able to run anymore, you can no longer serve. I recently had my third surgery from that injury, ankle fusion, at my local VA. No regrets.

[@foolish1193]

LTC, BZ on all your videos. You do an outstanding job on your explanations on military units, operations, and rank structure. Especially when you expand your interactions with other branches as a SPECFOR operator and officer.

[@itperdition]

Warrant Officers are rare unicorns in the Navy. Most enlisted go commissioned or LDO instead of warrant. I only met one my entire time in and he was an electronics WO. I asked him about it, because it was so rare and he was pretty open about it, said he got looked down on by both commissioned officers and chiefs. He eventually went full commission as well.

[@deepbluesea615]

A little clarification here. In the Navy, Chief Warrant Officer CWO2 - CWO-5, are commission officers. They receive their commissions from the President of the United States.

[@spankyharland9845]

my understanding of Warrant Officers is that they get the respect of enlisted personnel more than officers who got rank due to college or military academy because at one time they were enlisted personnel themselves.

[@Gitarzan66]

My dad retired as W1 from the Navy in 1957. He joined right out of high school in 1937. His specialty was Corpsman. He served at the medical base on Fiji for 3 years during the war Phantan 6. He treated the wounded. He went to Korea as part of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade that landed at Pusan. H/11 1id. He was present during that battles of Inchon and Chosen, Operation Yo-Yo. His last station was at Treasure Island. He was assigned to an oncology ward at the Naval Hospital. Unfortunatley he never talked about anything he saw. I had to pice it together from his record after I came into possession of his Navy Trunk in 2012. The more I read about the Chosen campaign the more respect I have for him and the others. There needs to be a mini series about this part of the conflict.

[@davidschick6951]

I was always taught that warrant officers rated salutes, if encountered outdoors in a non-tactical situation. At least, the few WOs I encountered in that way didn't correct me for saluting them. I was also taught that CW2 through CW5 have a commission from the President, while W1s have a warrant from their service secretary.

[@dennistrest3393]

Yes. In the Army Warrant Officers are no longer separate (Warrant Officer Corps). We are now directly part of the Officer Corps (Warrant Officer Cohort within the Officer Corps). Not everybody is happy about that, especially the older Warrants. Warrants have always rated salutes but most did not like it when it was a separate Corps, and some still don't.

[@rarelibra]

Warrant officers have always rated a salute, just like cadets do ... per AR 600-20. WO-1 are warranted, and yes... CWO-2 through CWO-5 are commissioned, but not from the President. ALL commissioned officers receive their commissions and promotions through Congress.

[@MrJaimesJ]

You forgot to cover USMC Gunner which are WO 2 and higher who belong to a specific 03 MOS. They wear a distinctive insignia which is a bursting bomb.

[@julialane6645]

My father was a career Military CW4. He served in infantry under Command of Gen. McArthur in the Battle of the Bulge, Korean War, TN National Guard until retirement. His men called him Chief. My father was one of the “ Greatest Generation Ever”! Once Military always Military!🇺🇸

[@JacobHover]

He probably would have been a W5 but retired before they existed. W5's came around 1992.

[@GHutube8]

Aviation Warrant Officer Candidates must first pass the general tests and then qualify first for OCS. (Officer Candidate School) Then they take the flight entrance exam, it's really tough. 25 in the classroom took the flight test, only 3 passed and moved on. Flight school is much longer than OCS. (Over twice as long) There is a very good reason for the OCS required test. If you were a good candidate but were having "flight" issues, you may be offered OCS. (You already passed the OCS test, but had flying problems...ie discovered you get airsick) Army want to keep you if possible.

[@lazerbeam3928]

In 1967 I was a newly minted AF E-5 stationed in Frankfurt working in Signal Intel. I had applied for a position as a Warrant Officer in the Army (Army Security Agency). I went through all the hoops and got accepted. At the time I worked for an AF Warrant Officer, we had two in our organization. The other Warrant headed up our personnel division. Between the two of them, they talked me out of leaving the AF. To this day I don’t know if I made the right decision or not. I stayed in the AF for 20 years, retired as an E-8 with a BS in engineering and an MBA. From a financial perspective I would have been better off as a Warrant. On the other hand, I did a lot of joint assignments with the Army personnel (Navy too) I can safely state that the quality of life in the AF was significant better. I remember an old timer in the AF once telling me that the Army and Navy are run like traditional military organizations around the world. The Marine Corps is a cult, and the AF is setup more like a corporation. I have often reflected on that and I would have to agree…

[@johncox2284]

There are only two branches of the military, the Army and the Navy. The Air Force is a corporation, the Coast Guard is a police force and the Marine Corps is a religion.

[@larryhuffman4326]

@@johncox2284 I like that and I would have to agree. Lol

[@thehermitman822]

Never saw him but heard of CW-5 Duck. "Don't Fuck With The Duck" was supposedly on his humvee.

[@raymondjoseph7177]

Was never so proud to get pinned. Took me a long time to get there. Almost 6 years after 4 years in, but it was well worth the work. Made my last 10 years the greatest part of my life. Other then family of course. Loved wearing the uniform.

[@shenmisheshou7002]

In the USMC, there are two kinds of Warrant Officer. There is the standard technical Warrant Officer, but there is also a *non-technical* Warrant Officer that actually has the title "Marine Gunner." This is their actual title. When they are addressed, the are addressed not as Mr, or as WO/CWO, but as "Gunner.'' The Marine Gunner can be recognised by the "Bursting Bomb" collar device on one collar and the Rank device on the other collar. Only Marine Gunner's wear this device. The standard Marine Warrant Officer does not wear the bursting bomb, instead wearing the same bar on each collar. While Marine enlisted often call all Warrant Officers "Gunner" and most Warrant Officers are OK with this, in reality, only a CWO2-5 Warrant Officer with the bursting bomb device should be called "Gunner" in modern times, but in the past (in my time in the service) it was much more accepted to call all Warrant Officers "Gunner", but it is really only proper to call the Marine Warrant Officer with the Bursting Bomb collar device "Gunner" though again, most WOs will not correct an enlisted man for this breach. It does though detract from the "Marine Gunner" that was _commissioned_ directly from Gunnery Sergeant to CWO2. There is no CWO1 Marine Gunner. This is a _Very_ rare Warrant Officer that commands great respect in Marine officer ranks and is often relied upon heavily as the eyes and ears of high command. If you are a Marine Col or General and you really want to know what is going on in your battle space, you probably want a Marine Gunner to go there and find out and you are lucky it you have one in your command structure. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infantry_weapons_officer

[@KailyKail]

My billet in the navy is the only one that allows sailors to become a WO1. You need to be a CWT in the ION billet, have six years TIS, and be at least an E5. Also, in the navy, you call warrant officers “sir” or “ma’am.”

[@frankmunn6168]

Thank you sir for once again breaking down topics the civilian world needs to know.

[@raymondking214]

The best officers EVER!

[@americanrepair]

I went through basic and AIT at Ft. Benning in 96. There was always a feeling of panic when a warrant officer was around because it was never really explained to us on how to address them, and we were all afraid to ask. And the soldiers hand book was vague.

[@docdildonica7515]

The soldiers handbook made it clear to call them Mister. I got screamed at for refusing to call a WO2 Sir. He demanded it. I refused. It was a really big issue at the time. Ultimately it resulted in my personnel records being tampered with.

[@Milos.L]

I've been waiting for this... awesome!!!

[@trentenedailey987]

Can you do a video on psyop??? There's not much public info on it. I'm in the process of raising my GT score now so I can go to selection.

[@kpkndusa]

Psyops are all in your head.

[@PSchearer]

The Ordnance Corps company (619th) I served with in the early '60s had about 100 men, including 1 major, three captains, seven lieutenants, and EIGHT warrant officers, WO1-CWO3. My last job was as a Spec5 (they still had them), reporting to a CWO2 who reported to a WWII-Airborne-vet CWO4 at battalion. (CWO5 hadn't been invented yet.) With one or two mediocre exceptions, the warrants were excellent officers who had my respect. In a different universe, if I had re-upped, at the end of 5-6 years and a few college credits, I would probably have retired after 30 as a warrant officer. Or I could have accepted the offer to attend helicopter pilot school, in which case I would most likely now be rice-paddy fertilizer. Of course, that was all a very long time ago now, and the Army has gone through endless changes, but based on my experience I don't understand all the disrespect shown here toward warrants.

[@johntoombs4458]

Myself my dad and my uncle were warrant officers. Myself w-3, dad was w-2 and uncle was was w-5.

[@johnmaddock256]

As former Cobra maintenance guy, Warrant Officers were a dime a dozen in Army aviation, W- 1 to CWO 3 were very common CWO 4 not rare, but there, CWO 5, you had a better chance of seeing big foot riding a unicorn then a CWO 5 to actually show up and interact with daily company operations. Unless there was , top shelf, whiskey, and coffee darker than a salty CSM soul. Also, their shapeshifters

[@Awzn123]

I wonder what’s your take on the newest branch of the military

[@blackfalcon1324]

whats this new branch?

[@calebthibodeaux2079]

blackfalcon1324 space Force

[@Lupinthe3rd.]

@@calebthibodeaux2079 The space farce will be commanded by Capt. Zap Brannigan and in second will be the long suffering Lieutenant Kif Kroker

[@MrSheckstr]

I think the discussions about it and the opinions developed from those discussions should be based on the proposed mission of the organization and whether that mission would be better accomplished as an entity independent of the four branches of the current pentagon command structure and not about the toxic political rancor that has infected the soft clothes part of federal government and public debate. I think people discussing should take the effort to research that mission and at the same time examine times in history where uniformed services had discussions on expanding or contracting the different entities of uniform services. Such things like the spinning off of the army air Corp into the US Army. The on again off again relationship between the marines and the army. The various discussions of times past of spinning off what is commonly called the blue and brown water navies into either their own organizations or more closely associating them with either the army or the coast Guard. And those that impulsively mock the concept of a space force should articulate why that mission is more ridiculous than including storm chasers and surgeon generals in the uniform services Hell there was even talk about taking the Army Corp of Engineers, the Seebees, and the select few similar engineer personnel in the Marines and Air Force and combining all of them into a fifth armed service group (understanding the distinction between an armed uniformed service and a uniformed service )

[@kirby7294]

Gotta defend against Space ISIS.

[@8460437]

The only W bars that make sense are the Army’s;the number of squares equal the rank. The other ones are confusing in that the WO1 bar looks identical to the WO3. So how do you tell who is what rank?

[@richjackson2986]

Like with 2nd & 1st Lieutenants and Majors & Lt Colonels, gold is lower rank, silver higher. I was active duty in the Corps, before joining the Army reserve. While the Army does shower the rank progression better, the one Army CWO-4 I met....his rank insignia looked cluttered. That may have had more to do with the ACU DigiCam. Hated those uniforms.

[@Goffas_and_gumpys]

I was a WO2 in my Nation's army, but our WOs were a progression from SGT and is an enlisted rank. WO2 could hold many positions but the cream post was as Company Sergeant Major, then you have WO1 and the top spot was a post as a Regimental Sergeant Major. Good videos bro, always good to learn about other nation's ranks.

[@rarelibra]

the higher ranks of enlisted in the US usually do not exist in many other nations' militaries. Often times, a Sergeant Major is at the level of "Warrant Officer" in many other nations' militaries because of this.

[@Garbanzo884]

The last WO in the USAF retired in 1983. There was a huge article on him in AF Times. He was at Lowry AFB CO.

[@stefanjackson4281]

Bro my dad is a cw5 and a warrant officer is usually a soldiers last job

[@ColonelMarcellus]

If a soldier is fluent in several languages in locations where the U.S. has military bases, and is employed as a translator for meetings, or for documents, or perhaps the soldier is fluent in the languages of an enemy (or unfriendly) nation, would this qualify him/her as a Warrant Officer? Back in the 1970s, a recruit out of basic training who was interested in languages went to Monterey California and graduated as one of the "Specialists" or "Spec" ranks. I recall this because in 1973 I tried to join the Army as a translator but couldn't pass the damned physical (uncorrected eyesight). I wonder if the candidate for this rank must have a college degree?

[@papachanka658]

I’ve seen only one WO. He was a a WO2 and I didn’t know his name, didn’t see his patches, I was sweeping the hall and got the fuck out of the way, looked at my battle buddy confused and went “was I supposed to address him or...” we later went downstairs and got smoked for 20 minutes before chow because people left their beds fucked up in the barracks.

[@johngreenjr8556]

What I was to know is why the Marines, navy and coast guard WO ranks alternate back and forth with the colored dots on gold and silver. At least the army we made it simple. I mistook a USCG W4 once for a W1.

[@sitbone3]

Spent four years in the Marines, E4 mafia. Never saw a warrant officer once.

[@JacobHover]

You realistically wouldn't. Marines require COs for most positions, WOs are reserved for technical experts and you wouldn't even be given a chance to be one until you were E5 promotable. They usually are in schools or R&Ds. Army though, you'll see them all over because army thought it was a bright idea to let a bunch of dumbass highschoolers go straight to WO school to become pilots. Thank god it is no longer a thing, you thought young COs were a problem thinking they were the grace of god, you never ran into a 20 year old WO2 pilot -_-

[@TheCumGod]

@@JacobHover Did the high school to flight school program end? I was under the impression this still happens.

[@JacobHover]

@@TheCumGod Well, you asking prompted me to go double check, seems websites from 2020 still shows its a thing but checking the official GoArmy website it seems they removed the bit about highschool to flight school program which is more in line with what I've heard from some recruiter friends. Last I was aware they were removing it back in 2018 or at least putting it on ice. Knowing the Army though its probably a thing thats still in place but are on a as-needed basis with recruiters. Army has been doing A LOT of down sizing the last couple of years, don't take my sole word on it though - I don't like multiple articles saying one thing and officials sources saying another.

[@TheCumGod]

@@JacobHover Thanks for the input

[@SSBailey77845]

Warrant Officers flew as “Aerial Observers” in the Marine Corps OV-10 community. Back in the “Old Corps” every Navy gun boat (I’m not sure if they were limited to a specific class) had a gun battery operated by a USMC crew. In that paradigm a special Warrant Officer rank of “Gunner” emerged. I’m not 100% on the history but I do know that a “Gunner” was identified by a bursting bomb insignia on one of the lapels and was a technical expert in, you guessed it, Naval gunnery. For many years, including in my experience flying the OV-10, we would refer to our warrant officers, respectfully, as “Gunners.” The truth is I only ever knew one actual Gunner. His name was Guy Hunter and he was a Vietnam and Desert Storm veteran. His call sign was “Great White” and he was universally loved and respected. CWO Hunter was a crew member on one of the two OV-10s shot down in Desert Storm.

[@OGhistorian]

Life is a special operation.. I like that a lot.

[@ColonelMarcellus]

It seems like there's more Warrant Officer ranks than I remember from 1970 or so. My uncle was a Chief Warrant Officer, having worked his way up from recruit, beginning in the 1940s. He was Galley Officer aboard the USS Enterprise (the aircraft carrier, not the starship) the the late 1960s before he retired. The commanding officer of a U.S. Army Mine Planter during WWII was a Warrant Officer, usually addressed as "Skipper" by the crew.

[@Lupinthe3rd.]

the rank of chief warrant officer five was not created until the 1990s. The army in 1991, the marine corps and navy in 1992,the air force in 1992 (rank was awarded to The last Air Force Reserve chief warrant officer, CWO4 Bob Barrow, who retired in 1992. Upon his retirement, Barrow was honorarily promoted to CWO5, the only person in the Air Force ever to hold this grade) the coast guard has had cwo5 statutory since 1994 but no one has been commissioned to that rank.

[@laisphinto6372]

i really dont get why you need complete seperate ranks for tech experts, every army has them but at least Not in germany you make over 5 special ranks for them , they just get a normal rank and their expertise is in this area .

[@GremlinsVillage]

Thank you for the video and thank you for your service.

[@jasonyoung3690]

We used to call a CWO in the USMC a "Gunner."

[@michaelrs8010]

I don't see why the military doesn't accept 2-year associate degree RNs (registered nurses) and make them warrant officers. I think it would help fill the shortages in that career field. But for some reason the only except 4 year Bachelor degrees and commission them.

[@anthonyglass170]

Decades ago,the Army DID have WO Nurses,they were called TECHNICAL NURSES.They were RN's that had a Hospital School Program Diploma (3 yrs) or an ASN.(2yrs). Eventually the Army did away with the TECH Nurses. Interestingly,until about the late 1970's,the USAR was accepting and Commissioning RN's that had Hospital Diplomas or ASN degrees,provided that had experience and were making progress toward obtaining a BSN. I worked in a Reserve Medical unitwith an RN who was a graduate of a Hospital Program. She was a Captain when I met her and was promoted to MAJOR shortly before I changed units. I later heard through the grapevine that she finally finished up her BSN.

[@michaelrs8010]

@@anthonyglass170 Thanks for the info. Yeah it seems reasonable. I mean if a guy trained to fly a helicopter can be a WO just based on that, I don't know why an associate RN can't be. Oh well, I'm WAY past any of it having any practical application for me now. 😄

[@anthonyglass170]

@@michaelrs8010 I did a little research and found out the NAVY used to also have WO "Technical Nurses",they were designated 756X. They were phased out in the early 1990's.

[@Garbanzo884]

The last WO in the USAF retired in 1982. He was at Lowry AFB in Colorado. USAF stopped issuing warrants in 1959 when the "supergrades" E-8 and E-9 were created.

[@Lupinthe3rd.]

The last active-duty air force chief warrant officer, CWO4 James H. Long, retired in 1980. The last Air Force Reserve chief warrant officer, CWO4 Bob Barrow, retired in 1992. Upon his retirement, Barrow was honorarily promoted to CWO5, the only person in the Air Force ever to hold this grade.

[@easucks1776]

In basic I was taught to refer to WOs as you would officers

[@jaredskinner]

You can call them, "Sir/Ma'am", "Mr. (last name)/Mrs. (last name)" or, "Chief" depending on their preference. To play it safe, if you don't know them, I would go with the first option. Also, render a salute as you would any other officer.

[@rickn8or]

@@jaredskinner Once I put my CPO anchors on, I always called them "Mister" or "Missus", NEVER "Chief".

[@alabamacoastie6924]

@@jaredskinner You would never call a Navy or Coast Guard warrant officer "chief."

[@ranchhandrandy3213]

Could you do a video on what SF warrant officers do? What role they fill in their group?

[@stephencannon3140]

You forgot Coast Guard but would probably fall with Navy since USN/USCG have about the same rank structure even if some specific ratings and or career fields differ. About 15-20 years ago the USN experimented with using Warrant Officers as Pilots. Mostly pilot shortage and support roles freeing up the line officers available for combat missions.

[@estellemelodimitchell8259]

The insignias of Army WOs are easier to recognise than the other 2 branches especially when it comes to WO3 and WO4

[@MrHondoMan]

Not sure if I recall this correctly.... in the late 80s and early 90s, before the CW5 rank, I think there were Master Warrants. These were senior CW4s. Or was this a glorified, unofficial title?

[@Lupinthe3rd.]

My friend said if you want to make E4 mafia a career become a warrant officer.

[@ahsanmohammed1]

Thank you for the info. Please do a video on mandatory retirement ages.

[@JohnCLewis-xk4nx]

Why no support for the Coast Guard? Semper Paratus, Always Ready.

[@MrSheckstr]

The history of the Coast Guard and it’s rather unique position in Federal government means it’s often overlooked It’s a uniformed services but sometimes not considered an “armed service” because its command structure doesn’t go through the Pentagon most of the time. Same as the USPHS and the NOAA. I’m not saying it’s right or wrong just saying that’s how it is.... I’ve often hear the joke that it’s the Navy’s National Guard. That’s rather unfortunate because the public is fairly ignorant about many of the missions that are the purview of the Coast Guard

[@TheGhostOperative]

good. i heard a little bat sings, aquaman will invade soon.

[@clwolford1456]

There needs to be a channel like this for the Coast Guard that includes history, rates & ranks, duties, special ops and command strucure from Commandant to Area, District, Sector and unit.

[@ARUSApacecarHAMPTON]

USCG is the best bang for the buck overall. They really deserve a lot of respect for the jobs they are tasked to do. Search and Rescue, Law enforcement, border security, port protection and other security measures that most people never see.

[@TripleDinLV]

"C" no longe means 'Chief' - they receive commissions after WO-1. Warants past WO-1 are actual commisioned officers, just not line officers.

[@jkdm7653]

I remember Army WOs (in various grades) who served as Bandmasters, and heads of Admin sections. Do they still?

[@evanvarns4785]

Yes, they do - on both counts.

[@TheWesLesley]

this was most illuminating thank you

[@PiercedHeartProductions]

What happened...47 of you got denied the WO program?

[@BPD1586]

Wish the Air Force would reinstate the WO ranks...would help with retention.

[@campagnollo]

Air Force has issues with retention????

[@mike89128]

I served with one of the last active duty warrant officers in the Air Force. He was in Top Secret control and a fine officer and gentleman.

[@mdmarko]

Won't do it. Won't want to put the resources into one more personnel management system.

[@campagnollo]

Seems difficult to gauge what rank/rate of Warrant Officer in the Navy or U.S.M.C. I can see that the Jr grades have a gold bar and the Sr grades have a silver bar, but the fact that they have identical squares seems like they could be easily mistaken (ie. confusing a W-1 with a CW-3).

[@Mj-CWO4]

Eric Moore it may have changed since I retired as CWO4, we did not use W1 in the navy because we had no need for a non commissioned officer, a Master Chief could do the same thing as a w1.

[@laisphinto6372]

in my research trying to make a rank structure i nuke this worthless rank system every time maybe throw chief in but seriously it seems more like america being extra

[@Reaghansdad1]

Remain in the same unit for years? I’ve been a warrant since 2014 and I’m at my THIRD WO command.

[@randy4163]

I did 20 years and retired as a CWO3 in the Navy. My 7 years as a CWO I had 6 different jobs at 3 commands, a drydock and 2 tenders. I was submarine engineering tech, auxiliaries and my very first job as an Officer was Supply Officer.

[@Reaghansdad1]

@@randy4163 I’m a surface ordy...same deal with me...except I’m at 25...didn’t commission until I had 19

[@ChestnutGames]

Do you think you could make a video on Army Special Forces Officer (18A)

[@ssfouryou]

CWO's {Chief Warrant Officers} in the US Coast Guard are not the same as other CWO's or CW's in the other branches. They are Commissioned Officers the same as all O1's through O10's. CWO's are equal in stature to O4's (Lt Commanders/Majors). CWO'S in the US Coast Guard are never addressed as "Warrant". They are addressed as CWO or Chief Warrant Officer or Sir or Maam and are saluted. CWO's also hold positions as Commanding Officers of bases, units and ships and are then addressed as Captain. I am a retired Chief Warrant Officer in the US Coast Guard.

[@michaelvollmer9491]

In my opinion, skilled and very professional Warrant Officers should get this status in every Branch of your armed Forces. Being in Special Forces is a different thing. We mostly respected the individual Qualities of our Crew, that made us successful and kept us alive. But different Country, different Ways to go.

[@cm-pr2ys]

I wish MARSOC had Warrant Officers, that’d be a great retention tool.

[@timcouillard6480]

You do now !

[@stephenbritton9297]

I’ve heard that CW(O)-5’s are like unicorns... is that true? 🙉🙊🙈

[@garycooper8687]

They exist. You are very careful around them. They are like old farmers or mountain men. They don't talk a lot and when they do you listen. A CW5 can put your unit in a lower realm for getting all kinds of supplies and maintenance. That means that a COL will treat them with respect. A General doesn't need to take much shit off of anybody, they can bring their own people with them. You mess with a CW5 and you probably kill your career without even knowing what you did.

[@BatDadddy]

I know a guy...

[@jessecarlow2465]

Very true.

[@aliciamarie9704]

These comments are hilarious. I’m married to a CW3.

[@Danman2031]

These stories are all true. It's more rare to see 2 within walking distance.

[@dantelove4606]

Is there any period for the promotions like the commissioned officers

[@brianstokes8458]

do other countries have wareent officers? In the British commonwealth, they use warrant offices but as the rank of senior NCO-but does any other county have any office class between NCO and Officers?

[@tlevans62]

Brian, in the Commonwealth, instead of “Specialist Officers” which is what US Warrant Officers are, they have Specialist Service Officers SSOs, who stay in their branch and specialise in a single field. Doctors, Lawyers etc, PR people are all SSOs, as are Army Helicopter Pilots. However, they wear normal Officer ranks. They are different than General Service Officers GSO which is what most Officers are who graduate from the RMC, or go through OCS. The Commonwealth doesn’t see the need to create a separate middle ground, quasi officer rank status for this, since your career field will determine what you do, or specialise in. If you hold the rank of “Major” and you’re in the Aviation Branch flying helicopters then you will be considered good at your job to get to that rank, in that field, and you’ll be respected within your unit for your skills, no need to make you lesser in stature than a GSO working as a Staff Officer at the Brigade HQ. A Major is a Major, if you know what I mean. In the US, that guy would be a CWO4 and below a Lieutenant in rank. In the US, GSO Officers are your normal Officer stream, while Warrant Officers and CWOs are Specialists. You rightly point out that Commonwealth WOs are SNCOs. The Commonwealth also accepts people into the Officer ranks who don’t have Uni Degrees through direct entry, unlike the US.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

Can somebody explain to me why do the US require 9 enlisted ranks and 5 warrant officer ranks? The UK has 5 enlisted ranks and 2 warrant officers designated from OR1 (Marine/Private/Trooper etc. depending on the unit) right up the Warrant Officer First Class/Regimental Sergeant Major (OR9)

[@mwillblade]

Because you guys do things differently from the rest of the world! Just kidding, Americans love things complicated or otherwise it does not feel right.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

@@mwillblade I'm at a loss as to why so many are necessary tbh

[@jayeallen6668]

In the UK and a number of other countries call their OR7-OR9 senior enlisted ranks warrant officers. The senior enlisted ranks serve as advisors to their respective commanders on enlisted matters. In the US warrant officers are technical experts in certain military occupational fields that require more authority than an enlisted member would generally have...keep in mind OR4-OR6 ranks are dealing with the lower enlisted members and as previously stated, OR7-OR9 are enlisted advisors to commanders. The US warrant officers are a separate pay grade (WO), not OR nor O. Hope this helps.

[@rarelibra]

the US military is much larger than the UK

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

@@rarelibra well it just doesn't work like that. We have the same rank structure today as when we had one of the largest and most powerful militaries in the world. You don't get more ranks because you've got a bigger military

[@markhurley3242]

But you didn't address the main question, where do they drink? O club or NCO club or both?

[@chuckbucks7020]

Will the new Space Farce Command have warrant officers?

[@robertnewell4054]

Nehemiah Wilson Newell CWO3, USN (ret) 1940-1961 15December1922~08April2007 Served on the original UAV/Drones including piloting through the mushroom clouds over Bikini Atoll. The first firing of a (captured V2) rocket off a flight-deck.... just to name a few. To contextualize I believe the Old Mans MOS was “SPARKY” .... Miss You Gunner

[@velvetthunder2830]

In the regular Army, WOs also do prefer Chief most times. I almost never call my warrants sir or ma'am. Granted, this is in the MI/Signal community.

[@josemadarieta3]

in aviation, both subordinates and superior officers, tended to call us mr. didnt really use chief alot. and of course we call each other whatever we want

[@SuperJuniorquintero]

What about the Coast Guard especially during wartime (and maybe the Merchant Marines)?

[@dirus3142]

It's always been a mystery to me what Warrant Officers actually do in their respective branches. What jobs do they serve specifically? Why are they not regular officers? This video helps a little, but I guess I'm hoping for more details.

[@dixcico5052]

Simply put, Commissioned Officers are basically "Admins", they make policies and command. If you are Enlisted going Commissioned, you may have a preference to what field you wanted to go, but ultimately it's up to your branch to decide for you. So if you were in airfield as Enlisted, it's entirely possible for you to become an Officer in a ground side unit that you might no be familiar with. Warrant Officers, however, usually stay within their own field(MOS), and they are experts on the subject matter concerning their field. They are treated as an officer in every aspect(salute, expectation, uniform, etc) but just rank lower than any Commissioned Officers.

[@richjackson2986]

They provide continuity of experience. I was an MP in the Marine Corps. It was well known that most MP company grade officers, Lieutenants & Captains planned to get out and join federal law enforcement (FBI, ATF, DEA). So, basically, once they were actually getting good at the job, they were leaving. A warrant officer had to have already been in for 8 years. To receive their warrant, they have to commit to another 6 or 8 years.So they're already in for 14 or 16 years. So chances are they're going to do the additional years need to retire. That leaves them in place to train the enlisted and the 2nd & 1st Lieutenants. We were always told, it's the job of Sergeants and Staff Sergeants to train the Lieutenants. But the truth is, it's more like guiding. A WO is better suited to actually train them. Because whether you're a PFC or a Butterbar, when you get to your first duty station is when the real learning begins.

[@tyjacobs353]

Does no one ever include the coast gaurd

[@mgreene1409]

Coast Guard: Am I a joke to you?

[@BSnydr]

Best rank in the Army for Aviators. I was going to put in my Flight Packet

[@publicpoet]

I like your videos alot. Do you have any explaining the FMF Corpsman? Thx.

[@rupvictoria3017]

Can you post a video about Civil Air Patrol ranks and Navy Sea Cadets ranks? Also JROTC ranks

[@cheeselover2285]

Damn, in Canada we have warrant, which is a crown, master warrant, which is a crown with fancy things on it, and chief warrant officer which is the coat of arms of Canada, those are the only nco’s that are called sir or ma’am by lower ranks. American army ranks are confusing af

[@rickn8or]

The few Nav Warrants I saw in the Navy were First-Class PO's were never going to make Chief Petty Officer, and so went W2 because that's the only way they'd ever be called "Chief". I never saw any of them holding a job tat couldn't be handled by a SCPO/MCPO or Boot Ensign.