Warrant Officer?

[BigTex05]

What exactly is a warrant officer? What's the difference between a regular officer?

[mark]

A WARRANT OFFICER IS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ENLISTED FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS AND HAS A HIGH DEGREE OF SPECIALTY IN A CERTAIN AREA. THEY DESIRE TO BE AN OFFICER BUT DO NOT WANT TO BECOME AN ENSIGN AND START AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RUNG AGAIN. SO THERE IS A WARRANT OFFICER PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS THESE PEOPLE TO BECOME AN OFFICER, BUT NOT GO BACK TO THE BOTTOM BUT DO SORT OF A SIDE STEP AND MANAGE A SPECIALTY AREA (LIKE DIVING, AIR, WEAPONS, ETC).
Mark Divine SEAL Team Reservist

[Ldobosn]

I can only speak for the Navy. The U.S. Navy has two programs to go from enlisted to commissioned officer. The Warrant Officer Program is for senior enlisteds that do not desire to advance into the regular officer ranks. The other program is the Limited Duty Officer Program. E-6 and above can advance to Ensign. The warrant is a technical expert in his rating speciality. The LDO is an administrative expert in his rating speciality. Now that does not mean that either of the two is not an expert in the others field. I was an LDO. Advanced from Senior Chief Boatswains mate to Lcdr. The Warrant is a highly respected member of any command as is an LDO. Neither of these ranks are considered "the bottom" of the ladder, unless it is was by a snot nosed 90 day wonder, or a ring knowker with no sea time. As an Ensign (Bosn), I was treated with more respect by the Captain, than any officer on the ship.