What's the difference between Warrant Officers and Commissioned officers in the army?

Answer 1

Warrant officers WO-1 thru-CWO5 are technical specialists. When I severed as a commissioned officer in the field artillery, assigned to missile units, we had WO/CWO that assisted with the evaluations of our system operations. Until recently, they held no command authority, which was reserved for commissioned officers. Today, in the army, I learned while working with the army as a civilian in Iraq that WO/CWOs can now be allowed command authority due to lack of junior officers...lieutenants & captains available.

Many Warrent officers began their career as NCOs and in Viet Nam (as today) many were helicpoter pilots.

Commissioned officers (O-1 thru 0-10) or second liententant to 4 star General are "Commissioned"by the President of the United States and not Congress. Commissioned officers have command authority hance the term CO or Commanding Officer.

Each (and the NCO corp) are vital to the successful operation of the US Army.

Answer 2

Warrant Officers are basically enlisted people that are so good at their jobs, they get their own rates (yes, I know the Army has WOs that were not prior enlisted for flying, Marines don't. You MUST be a commissioned Officer to fly in the Marines, they don't have the WOs flying bullsh!t). You absolutely will not be able to get into the Marine Corps as a Warrant Officer. Chances are you won't be competitive to enter as a Commissioned Officer either (need a near perfect PFT, degree and high GPA, outstanding leadership characteristics)

Answer 3

Warrant officers are Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, given a Royal warrant by H.M The Queen, and if they have enough time left in their army career, they can go on to become Late Entry Commissioned Officers.

Commisioned Officers go through Officer Training School, and if they pass, are given the Queens Commission to serve as a Platoon Commander.

Answer 4

Warrant officers do not get commissions from the President, they get warrants. They are generally specialists in a technical field such as EOD, data mgt, administration, etc. They are considered officers in the US armed forces, with all of the privileges and military courtesies thereunto pertaining. In the USMC, at least, they are drawn from the enlisted ranks and generally must serve a certain number of years before they can apply for the warrant program.

They are supposed to be special staff officers and not hold commands, ie platoon commander, executive officer, company commander, however this does occur particularly at training bases. This, however, is the chief difference between commissioned and warrant officers. Commissioned officers are expected to assume command responsibilities and they hold a commission from the President of the United States.

Commissioned officers can be drawn from enlisted ranks as well but they are expected to have a college degree. This is taken as evidence that a candidate for an officer's commission can absorb and process large amounts of information and make decisions based on data that may lie outside his/her particular area of expertise. Commissioned officers are not expected to be specialists.

Answer 5

Many correct answers posted here, I will add that Warrent Officers are not NCO's as one person stated. Many of them are prior enlisted personel.

A warrant officer as stated in many of the other answers are specialist in a certain field. In the Army they can assume a command if necessary, but their main function is to manage the business of the tasks to be done. For example a Warrant Officer that is a Pilot is expected to fly first, know everything about it etc. An officer that is a pilot is expected to manage the companies mission and fly if needed.

Officers are more administrative than technical. They are the command structure responsible for delegating mission tasks and over all are responsible for the success or failure of the mission. Warrant Officers, NCO's and lower enlisted are responsible for accomplishing the mission in accordance with the directives and guidance provided by the officers.....

Answer 6

Warrant Officers specialize in a certain field. Most of them were NCO before becoming WO. Commissioned Officer they can either go to college first then come into the military or they are enlisted first then switch over (while going to school). But they tell everyone what to do. And make all the big decisions. You can really see them in action during wartime.

Answer 7

if you mean specifically the army, I don't know. When the Air Force had warrant officers, it was a non- commissioned officer ( i. e. a master sergeant ) becoming a commissioned officer....hutonehut.....bone schwah!

Answer 8

Warrant Officers don't have to have a degree. They just have to attend W.O. school. Commissioned officers have to have a degree.

Answer 9

Warrant Officers are the "Specialists" of their chosen MOS. Officers..well, they basically tell you what to do, and are made officers when I think the Congress, Gives a commision, etc etc.

Answer 10

In the case of the Warrant's, it's usually about 40 lbs of excess weight and a failing score on a PT test...