Warrant Officers Back in Fashion | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-06.02.25

Airborne-NextGen-06.03.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.04.25

Airborne-AffordableFlyers-06.05.25

AirborneUnlimited-06.06.25

Sun, Feb 11, 2024

Warrant Officers Back in Fashion

Old-School Solution to New-School Problems

The US Air Force is mulling over a return to the Warrant Officer program, which would provide a niche technician class that slots in between the enlisted and officer ranks.

The planning order describing a return of the Warrant Officer role included it among "new ways to develop and retain a "highly capable, technologically capable corps of air-minded warfighters". The document stems from the Air University, and was released as unclassified in the last week of January. It began making the rounds when those with the sense to understand the culture shift began passing it around. Currently, everything is theoretical, and far from set into motion. Aviators will not be drawn from the Warrant Officer cadre, in any case - technical positions only.

"To fully leverage the technical depth and breadth of talent of our airmen and cultivate the strategic advantage USAF technicians have historically provided, we will make the necessary preparations to re-establish a WO corps and deliver foundational training for designated WO-1 candidates,' the document reads. USAF spokespersons refused to weigh in on the issue, too, merely saying that the Secretary of the Air Force would be announcing plans for "re-optimizing for great power competition". (That's the very official water cooler talk for 'keeping up with the Joneses', but for military procurement and readiness.)

The move is just one of many recruiting and retention issues that have bubbled up to the forefront as the global gumbo of geopolitics has heated up. With smoke popping up in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and a smokey scent rising from Pacific, it's understandable why the Air Force could find use for Officers that provide some of the most important functions of an Officer corps, but without the irritating pay and training requirements.

FMI: www.af.mil

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.03.25): No Gyro Approach

No Gyro Approach A radar approach/vector provided in case of a malfunctioning gyro-compass or directional gyro. Instead of providing the pilot with headings to be flown, the contro>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.03.25)

Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]

ANN FAQ: Turn On Post Notifications

Make Sure You NEVER Miss A New Story From Aero-News Network Do you ever feel like you never see posts from a certain person or page on Facebook or Instagram? Here’s how you c>[...]

Airborne 05.30.25: Anti-Helicopter Bill, PW Strike Done, All-Electric Bristell

Also: Duffy Wants $$$, KS Airports, Morningside U’s Aviation School, New Airstrip In ID After 6 were killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River, several US Representa>[...]

Airborne 05.29.25: ATC Bonu$, VX4 eVTOL Flies, Starship 9 Test

Also: Hermeus Quarterhorse MK1, Seaplane Rating Guide, Vietjet A330neos, SFO Wacky Weed Bust As the air traffic controller shortage trudges on, the US Department of Transportation >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC