Originally posted by Bandit LOAF
Warrant officers are seperate, IIRC... wiith the grade of 'W' (W1, W2, W3, etc). You'd have to ask a military buff, though...
(We know the Space Force has Warrant Officers, because Blair asks if Seether is one in the WCIV novel...)
WO-1, CW-2, CW-3, and CW-4, actually. That's
Warrant Officer, Chief Warrant Officer 2, 3, and
4. They are equivalent to 2nd Lt, 1st Lt,
Capt. and Major (O1-O4).
"Warrant officers are highly specialized, single-track specialty officers who receive their authority from the Secretary of the Army upon their initial appointment. However, Title 10 USC authorizes the commissioning of warrant officers (WO1) upon promotion to chief warrant officer (CW2). These commissioned warrant officers are direct representatives of the president of the United States. They derive their authority from the same source as commissioned officers but remain specialists, in contrast to commissioned officers, who are generalists. Warrant officers can and do command detachments, units, activities, and vessels as well as lead, coach, train, and counsel subordinates. As leaders and technical experts, they provide valuable skills, guidance, and expertise to commanders and organizations in their particular field."
(Para A-3, Field Manual 22-100)
Also note that, as specialists, they are unlikely
to grow much out of their current role, and is
definitely career-limiting. Thus, a warrant
officer pilot is unlikely to be sent to the War
College, then to a staff posting at the Pentagon.
Instead, they stay pilots or whatever pretty much
their entire service lives.
Y'know, I kinda think that's what Blair would
have preferred -- just let 'em fly, and don't
bother him with other details.
Respectfully,
Brian P.
