Warrant Officers

Be a sought-after expert.

If you’re an enlisted Soldier, you can advance your career to become a highly-respected Army Warrant Officer. Use your passion, focus, and drive to become a technical expert in your field.

Army Cyber Soldiers in front of computers, working inside a Cyber center.

Provide mission-critical knowledge.

A Warrant Officer working with a Soldier on a portable communications system

Warrant Officers are the few technical experts in their field, making up less than three percent of the Army. Enlisted Soldiers who pursue becoming a Warrant Officer can expect to:

  • Solve problems within their area of expertise
  • Serve as advisors to commanders and other leaders
  • Train enlisted Soldiers and commissioned Officers in a specific career field
  • Organize and support missions

Advantages of being a Warrant Officer

With competitive pay and privileges similar to those of a commissioned Officer, becoming a Warrant Officer is one of the most rewarding positions you can have in the Army.

Be the one others rely on.

Warrant Officers are some of the most highly specialized experts and trainers in their field. Because of that, commissioned Officers rely on their technical expertise to complete missions, and regard them as trusted and esteemed colleagues.

Make a career for life.

If you want your job in the Army to go places at a steady pace, this path could be for you. You’ll not only be promoted after serving two years as a Warrant Officer, but you’ll also receive additional training and competitive pay.

Expand your expertise.

If you’re highly skilled in a specialized field and love what you do, the path of Warrant Officer could be for you. You can stay close to your technical area of expertise with the opportunity to be promoted in your current Army job, or you can choose to pursue a career path outside of your current specialty.

Explore different specialties.

With more than 40 different Warrant Officer specialties, you’ll have many options to choose from based on your Army job, often called a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS). These include ground forces, aviation, intelligence, engineering, and more. You’ll be on a path to earn a higher rank, greater pay, and more responsibility.

COMMIT

TO

SUCCESS.

Become a warrant officer.

Being a Warrant Officer is a long-term commitment but one of the most rewarding. You’ll become the go-to advisor on important matters and remain a specialist in your field.

Show your skills and drive.

To become a Warrant Officer, you must be an enlisted active-duty, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard Soldier who demonstrates expert proficiency in your skill and craft. You must also show a drive for growth in areas like leadership and discipline, and meet other requirements.

Warrant Officer Candidate School

You’ll need to apply to and pass Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) held in Fort Novosel, Alabama, which will test your technical and physical skills. Upon graduation, you’ll be sent to your specific U.S. Army branch school where you’ll receive more focused technical training in your specialty.

COMMIT

TO

SUCCESS.

Become a warrant officer.

Being a Warrant Officer is a long-term commitment but one of the most rewarding. You’ll become the go-to advisor on important matters and remain a specialist in your field.

Show your skills and drive.

To become a Warrant Officer, you must be an enlisted active-duty, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard Soldier who demonstrates expert proficiency in your skill and craft. You must also show a drive for growth in areas like leadership and discipline, and meet other requirements.

Warrant Officer Candidate School

You’ll need to apply to and pass Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) held in Fort Novosel, Alabama, which will test your technical and physical skills. Upon graduation, you’ll be sent to your specific U.S. Army branch school where you’ll receive more focused technical training in your specialty.

COMMIT

TO

SUCCESS.

Become a warrant officer.

Being a Warrant Officer is a long-term commitment but one of the most rewarding. You’ll become the go-to advisor on important matters and remain a specialist in your field.

Show your skills and drive.

To become a Warrant Officer, you must be an enlisted active-duty, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard Soldier who demonstrates expert proficiency in your skill and craft. You must also show a drive for growth in areas like leadership and discipline, and meet other requirements.

Warrant Officer Candidate School

You’ll need to apply to and pass Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) held in Fort Novosel, Alabama, which will test your technical and physical skills. Upon graduation, you’ll be sent to your specific U.S. Army branch school where you’ll receive more focused technical training in your specialty.

COMMIT

TO

SUCCESS.

Become a warrant officer.

Being a Warrant Officer is a long-term commitment but one of the most rewarding. You’ll become the go-to advisor on important matters and remain a specialist in your field.

Show your skills and drive.

To become a Warrant Officer, you must be an enlisted active-duty, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard Soldier who demonstrates expert proficiency in your skill and craft. You must also show a drive for growth in areas like leadership and discipline, and meet other requirements.

Warrant Officer Candidate School

You’ll need to apply to and pass Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) held in Fort Novosel, Alabama, which will test your technical and physical skills. Upon graduation, you’ll be sent to your specific U.S. Army branch school where you’ll receive more focused technical training in your specialty.

Explore career opportunities.

A career as a Warrant Officer will introduce you to many different specialties. You’ll have exciting opportunities ahead of you no matter the role. Here are some examples to see what’s possible.

Science & Medicine

  • Veterinary Services Food Safety Officer
  • Health Services Maintenance Technician

Support & Logistics

  • Ammunition Warrant Officer
  • Bandmaster
  • Human Resources Technician

Signal & Intelligence

  • Cyber Warfare Technician
  • Human Intelligence Collection Technician

Aviation & Aerial Defense

Mechanics & Engineering

  • Geospatial Engineering Technician
  • Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer

Ground Forces

  • Special Forces Warrant Officer
  • Field Artillery Technician

TAKE THE FIRST STEP.

Find out more about becoming a Soldier and if a career in the Army is right for you.

Common questions about Warrant Officers.

Not finding what you need?
Chat with us any time.

Can you enter the Army as a Warrant Officer?

Only Aviation Warrant Officer candidates are able to become a Warrant Officer without any prior service experience. All other candidates must be serving on active duty, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard and have a rank of at least sergeant.

Do Warrant Officers outrank commissioned Officers?

Commissioned Officers outrank Warrant Officers. However, commissioned Officers rely on Warrant Officers’ technical expertise to successfully complete missions and respect them as trusted colleagues.

How much do Warrant Officers make in the Army?

The base salary for full-time Warrant Officers (WO1) is between $40,000 and $56,000, depending on your Army experience. The longer you serve and the further you move up in rank, the more money you will earn. Take a look at the pay tables to see the different salaries.

How long do Warrant Officers serve?

Upon completion of the Warrant Officer Basic Course, Technical Warrant Officers have a six-year service commitment on active duty. Aviation Warrant Officers have a 10-year service commitment after completing Warrant Officer Flight School. Service commitments are different for Warrant Officers in the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.

How long is Army Warrant Officer School?

Warrant Officer Candidate School is a five-week program.

How do Warrant Officers get promoted?

Warrant Officers are eligible for promotions based on performance and time served in each rank. There are five grades of Warrant Officers. For example, after completing two years as a Warrant Officer (WO1) and passing additional Warrant Officer leadership courses, you can be promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2).

Get In Touch

My Jobs

You have no saved jobs.

Take a short quiz or explore more than 200 jobs that might interest you.

Army Career Match
All Jobs

Tell us about yourself.

All fields are required.

MAC:

Activity Title:

GoArmy Title:

Now, who referred you?

Fill in the first and last names of the person who referred you, along with their Department of Defense identification number (DoD ID #) for proof of service and phone number if they want to receive status updates. Their information is protected and maintained by the Privacy & Security Notice

Choose the Army career path you’re most interested in.

Answer True or False to the following statements based on your current situation (optional).

I’m a U.S. citizen or permanent and legal resident (I-551 card).
I am in high school, have a high school diploma, or am enrolled in college.
I have a GED.
I don’t have any tattoos.
I have some tattoos, with no (or subtle) placement on my hands, neck, or face.
I don’t have any medical concerns.
I have a minor medical condition or history.
I don’t have any law violations.
I have minor law violations, like speeding tickets.
I’m ready to talk to a recruiter to learn more.
I’m interested in the Army, but not quite ready to talk to a recruiter.

Find ROTC programs at schools you’re most interested in.

This helps us connect you to the right person. If you’re not sure yet, just select undecided.
    School selection is required.

    Privacy Act Notice: The above disclosure is voluntary. All information will be used strictly for recruiting purposes. The authority for the collection of this information is Title 10, United States Code, Sections 503, 505, 508, and 12102, and EO 9397. For more information, please review our Privacy & Security Notice.

    Recent entries.

    Give us a call

    Contact your local recruiting office with any questions.

    1-888-550-ARMY (2769)