History of the Army
Warrant Officer Corps

Page 3

Warrant officer appointments virtually ceased after World War II because of military down sizing, dissatisfaction with the decentralized appointment process, and confusion about the purpose of warrant officers. It had become apparent that the decentralization of appointments, based onto he premise that each commander best knew his or her own needs, resulted in inconsistent selection practices and served to confuse the warrant officer's role and function.

In 1946, the 40 warrant officer functional areas were incorporated into the same MOS structure as that used for commissioned officers. At about the same time, the concept of using the Corps as an incentive rather than a reward was instituted. It was determined that the rank of warrant officer was to be a capstone rank into which enlisted personnel could routinely expect to advance in connection with the Enlisted Career Guidance Program. The use of warrant officer grade as a reward before World War II and its use as an incentive after World War II both resulted in warrant officers' duties and responsibilities being largely interchangeable with those of junior commissioned officers and senior enlisted personnel.

 c. Consolidation (1948-1956)

During 1948 and 1949, competitive examinations were held to appoint or select for appointment approximately 6,000 regular Army warrant officers. Appointments were made in 47 MOSs and four special (classified) occupational areas. Selections and appointments numbered approximately 4,500 from the general Army examinations of 1948 and approximately 1,500 from the unit administrator examinations of 1949. Approximately half of these 6,000 appointees and selectees were commissioned officers on extended active duty with Reserve commissions.

In late 1948, a considerable number of term of enlistment (TOE) duty positions were established for warrant officers. However, budgetary limitations did not allow the additional appointments necessary to fully implement this broadened concept of warrant officer use.

In 1950, approximately 900 warrant officer appointments were made using eligibility lists established by the 1948 and 1949 competitive examinations.

In 1951, major commanders were once again allowed to confer temporary warrant officer appointments. As a result, they made approximately 1,400 temporary appointments in 60 MOSs.

In March 1952, budgetary limitations forced termination of warrant officer appointments.

In August 1953, the Army force reduction plan following cessation of hostilities in Korea called for the Warrant Officer corps to be reduced by one-third to meet FY 1954 budget authorization of approximately 12,400. But because of the inflationary impact of using the rank as an incentive, there was both a surplus of total warrant officers as well as a critical shortage of warrant officer positions and personnel in the missile, electronics, and aviation specialties. A concept consistent with Army requirements was needed if the Warrant Officer Corps was to survive.

Between 1953 and early 1957, the Department of the Army conducted an analysis of the Warrant Officer Program to determine the purpose and viability of a Warrant Officer Corps. In 1954, the Warrant Officer Personnel Act eliminated the Mine Planter Service and established the grades of warrant officer one through chief warrant officer four.

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Information Courtesy of U.S. Army