Warrant Officer Application Guide
Be a technical expert, instructor and advisor.
Earn your wings as a National Guard aviator.
Hone your skills while you move ahead.
Build the Career of a Leader
By becoming a warrant officer, you will expand your skill set and become a vital member of the Guard. While basic branch officers assume the Guard’s general management roles, warrant officers serve as technical and tactical experts, as the leader of a team, and are highly trained in their field.
As a technical warrant officer, you’ll be both a technical and tactical expert—the best of both worlds. And if you feel flying is in your future, the aviation warrant officer career path may be the best way to earn your wings and become a Guard pilot.
Warrant Officer Benefits
Once you become a warrant officer, you will continue to receive the benefits you get now, plus:
- Get paid to attend in-depth, hands-on training
- Receive superior training in a highly technical field
- Enhance civilian career opportunities and bolster your resume
- Get experience that would take years to earn in the civilian world
- Learn proven leadership skills
- Receive the same respect as commissioned officers
Certain warrant officer positions are currently listed as Critical Shortage MOSs and may qualify for bonuses up to $10,000, based on your state's need. For those positions, the following requirements apply:
- You may not have been an officer or warrant officer previously.
- You must complete Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) in your Area of Concentration (AOC) or Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) within 36 months of your date of commission.
- You must enlist for at least six years in an active drilling status (not AGR or Miltech).
If you do qualify, a lump-sum payment will be made upon completion of WOBC.
How to Apply
Follow these steps to get promoted, receive higher pay and get on the fast track to even further career growth:
Step One:
You must be enlisted in the National Guard or hold a qualifying Army position to apply to be a warrant officer, or have served as a warrant officer previously. If you’ve never served, click here to start your career in the Guard.
Step Two:
Talk to your Warrant Officer Strength Manager about completing an application.
Step Three:
Once your application is approved, you’ll be sent to Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) for training, which is usually six weeks.
Step Four:
Upon successful completion of WOCS, you’ll be conditionally appointed to the grade WO1 and sent to the Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) for your specific field. WOBC can vary from a few weeks to several months, depending on what your job is.
After your training (WOCS and WOBC) is complete, you’ll return to your unit or be reassigned to a new unit requiring your newly acquired expert skills and knowledge.
What Next?
Wondering about the difference between a warrant officer and a basic branch (or “commissioned”) officer? Click here to find the answer.
To request more information about becoming a warrant officer, or to get in touch with your local Warrant Officer Strength Manager, click one of the buttons at the top of this page.
Each state and territory has different selection requirements. Your local Warrant Officer Strength Manager will have the most current information.
