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Latest Change for Aviation Warrant Officers


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As of 7 Aug 14, Milper Msg 14-219 states the following regarding all active duty Warrant Officers either Tech or Aviators until further notice. Warrants Officers are prohibited in applying for active duty OCS. With only 2 OCS boards for FY15, the peace time Army is in full effect.

 

For those applying for the WOFT program or recent WO grads, this will have no effect. But as of now, the potential of transferring to the RLO ranks is no longer an option in your career. Prior to this passage, quite a few AWOs would opt for OCS knowing that retirement would be assured if becoming a 2Lt once passed the 7-8th year of active duty service for the most part. That's based on being promoted to Captain obviously.

 

But then again, there have been a number of former AWOs that have risen in the ranks to Lt Col and above and had great fulfilling careers past 20 years.

 

For the career AWOs, the handwriting has been on the walls for several years. PC, Track, PME, College Degree and outstanding OERs will keep you in the game. As if you didn't know that already.

 

I would not be surprised if HRC lowers the age limit back to 29 and requires 3 years time in grade for promotion to CW2 for AWOs in the near future. These 2 points have been under consideration by HRC for sometime now.

 

It's truly unfortunate senior AWOs are unable to use their skill set in becoming RLOs in furthering their careers in the Aviation Branch. But being the Army, everything is subject to change, again and again..

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There's rumblings of extending the promotion timeline from CW2 to CW3 by 1, possibly 2 years as well. Nevertheless, this is absolute B.S. ... the regs provide for AWO OCS applicants to apply for aviation only ... this is a loss for the Army. Apache guy said it best - "HRC is drunk."

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After thinking about this some more it makes even less sense now. What HRC is saying is that they'll take an E6 or E7, put them thru OCS and make them an RLO who could go on to command a BN or CAB but an experienced W2 or W3 can't ever have that opportunity despite having way more flight time, being tracked, etc. HRC is now the most powerful entity in the US Army - way more so than any of the combatant commanders IMO.

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Having experienced a significant drawdown in the 90s while an O-3 in the Navy, I can lend some insight into some of the thinking. Clearly AD Army needs to reduce AWOs, or the promotion rates would not have taken such a down turn. RLO promotion rates are set by statute, so deviating from the mandated rates for more than a selection cycle or two becomes problematic. I am not sure if there are similar laws governing promotion rates for warrant officers. If not, that can be one significant reason for restricting transfers to the RLO side.

 

With the horror present now in AWO promotions, it is conceivable, probably even likely that AWOs will jump ship to to secure a career and retirement. An AWO trades a 60% promotion rate for 80-100% by going RLO. Without a well constructed competitive process for screening transfers, there is little that can be done to keep the RLO ranks from becoming bloated with AWOs, good and bad.

 

There are several threads on the airwarrior.com site discussing an O-4 promotion rate this year in the 60% range for aviators and 90% for ship drivers. It is UGLY in at least one of the other services. What is happening now is exactly what happened in the 90s.

 

If you haven't hit the milestones the OP listed (PC, tracked, PME, OERs, etc..) you won't make it. With promotion rates in the 60%, even some with decent credentials may not make it.

 

I don't disagree with the OP that the Army will miss out on some good AWO to RLO transfers. But I can also see how an AWO with a poor work ethic and poor leadership, but has a collge degree and some flight time, can win out over a new RLO fresh out of college in a promotion board. OERs would have to be the deciding factor to fix that. Anyone who thinks OERs are anything more than barely acceptible for a promotion tool is living in fantasy land, especially when comparing O-1s and O-2s.

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Joe

 

Only if it benefits the Army. Remember you're always riding on a one way street. It's their way or the highway. I would love to know HRC's reasoning in restricting Warrant Officesr from OCS, especially AWOs. There can't be that many AWOs who wish to be RLOs.

 

Are there any AWOs out there who are really pissed on this new restrictive policy regarding their career ambitions?

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I have zero aspirations of ever becoming an active duty warrant to active duty RLO.

 

That being said, I do not agree that we should be restricted from doing so. Why should a highly qualified warrant be kept from progressing on a certain career path while a wet behind the ears college grad fills that spot? I don't want to do it. But I can see some reason for being offended by not being able to do it regardless of whether you want to do it.

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apacheguy

 

Taking your point one step further. As an Army NCO attending OCS, it DOES NOT mean you'll be branched in your previous career field. Branch selection in OCS is basically based on the Order of Merit (OML). There was only one policy exception regarding OML. AWOs attending OCS are restricted in branching aviation only. Exception to the new policy milper msg 4-219 should be made for AWOs. This new policy expires 31 Dec 15.

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I wasn't specifically saying that an NCO would stay in AV, but doesn't it seem crazy that the army would exclude a population of potential RLO's (warrants) but let an experienced E7 PSG become a 2LT? My main point is that HRC makes no sense.

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I wasn't specifically saying that an NCO would stay in AV, but doesn't it seem crazy that the army would exclude a population of potential RLO's (warrants) but let an experienced E7 PSG become a 2LT? My main point is that HRC makes no sense.

 

HRC is drunk remember?

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Interesting side note to this; after all the doom and gloom of warnings from DA about the dismal expectations for FY14 AWO promotion boards, it was 100% (yes, 100%) selection to CW4 for 47 drivers. We even had a guy not submit a DA photo, nor a selection packet get promoted.

 

That said, it will probably swing the other way and nobody will make it in FY15. I'm not sure why DA refuses to implement any changes incrementally, and only uses a sledge hammer rather than a scalpel.

 

Mike-

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ProTip --

For those interested in the medical service corp (MEDEVAC / dustoff), they can and have appointed CW2s / CW3s to 1LTs in the past. While OCS is out of the equation, those that are passionate about the dustoff mission and want to serve in the commissioned role still have the direct commission option available.

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ProTip --

For those interested in the medical service corp (MEDEVAC / dustoff), they can and have appointed CW2s / CW3s to 1LTs in the past. While OCS is out of the equation, those that are passionate about the dustoff mission and want to serve in the commissioned role still have the direct commission option available.

Isn't it really difficult to get a direct commission as a CW? Or are you suggesting that you'd be highly likely to recieve one if you switched to MEDEVAC?

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I guess it's not impossible but I have never (at least not in the modern era) heard of a warrant getting a direct commission to lieutenant, medevac or otherwise. I'm not even sure why flying medevac would have any bearing on it anyway. It's not like pilots stay medevac their entire careers anyway.

 

Enlighten me.

 

P.S. I know what a 67J is. When was the last time anyone heard of that occurring insofar as to make it a practical choice?

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I guess it's not impossible but I have never (at least not in the modern era) heard of a warrant getting a direct commission to lieutenant, medevac or otherwise. I'm not even sure why flying medevac would have any bearing on it anyway. It's not like pilots stay medevac their entire careers anyway.

 

Enlighten me.

 

P.S. I know what a 67J is. When was the last time anyone heard of that occurring insofar as to make it a practical choice?

 

http://www.army.mil/article/75539/

 

It sure as heck seems hard to me. That's the only example I've ever seen of one, and it was by a guy who was a CW3 about to put on CW4. The apparent requirements look pretty strict, but there's an AR out there that defines it.

 

http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r135_100.pdf

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/2010/11/MILPER_10-284_direct_appointment_cpt_program_1nov10.pdf

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When I was a commander 3 years ago I had a CW2 who picked up a direct commission to 2LT. He loved medevac, had a bachelors degree, wanted to get a commission and go back to Landstuhl so I hooked him up (even though he had the Lakota ADSO).

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