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Direct Appointment of a Noncommissioned Officer to Chief Warrant Officer 2

Friday, August 28, 2020

What is it?

Direct appointment of a noncommissioned officer to Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2), allows qualified Special Forces noncommissioned officers in the grades of E-7 through E-9 to receive a direct appointment to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 2.

This program, as part of a two-year pilot, is designed to attract the best experience and talent required to fill the positions. This directive provides a career incentive for senior NCOs who meet the proponent’s criteria and have the desire to become a warrant officer.

What are the current and past efforts of the Army?

The Army is modifying its current practice of appointing all Army warrant officers to the rank of Warrant Officer One (WO1) regardless of their respective career fields or previous rank.

The new directive will address the shortage of qualified CW2s in the Special Forces branch and will allow:

  • Direct appointment of an NCO to CW2 instead of WO1- for an assured increase in total pay, which would not be the case if they were simply appointed to WO1.
  • Proponents the ability to specifically recruit talent based on:
    • Unique knowledge, skills, behaviors
    • Preferences of the senior noncommissioned officers in certain career fields who desire to apply to the Warrant officer position.

This directive will aid in retention efforts of talented Soldiers and will also address a manning shortfall, which increases readiness.

What continued efforts does the Army have planned?

Other proponents, such as Cyber, have expressed interest in appointing qualified senior NCOs as CW2s in their respective career fields. The Army will use the results of this two-year pilot program to determine whether to expand this program to other career fields.

Why is this important to the Army?

Direct appointment of a noncommissioned officer to Chief Warrant Officer 2 acknowledges the diverse and unique requirements of the Army warrant officer community. This directive allows the Army to address critical manpower gaps with exceptionally qualified people to enhance Army Readiness.

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Events

August 2020

Antiterrorism Awareness Month

Aug. 7 : Purple Heart Day

Aug. 10: DOD Birthday | Visit DOD

Aug. 16: National Airborne Day

September 2020

National Suicide Prevention Month

National Preparedness Month

Sept. 2 : V-J Day

Sept. 11: Patriot Day

Sept. 15- Oct. 15: Hispanic Heritage Month | Visit Hispanics in the U.S. Army

Sept. 18: POW/MIA Recognition Day

Sept. 27: Gold Star Mothers and Family’s Day | Visit Gold Star Survivors

October 2020

National Diability EMployment Awarenss Month

Energy Action Month | Visit ASA (IEE)

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Oct. 13-16: AUSA Annual Meeting

Focus Quote for the Day

Modernization of the Army must include a concerted effort to build and sustain an organic software development capability at the lowest echelons of the Army.

— Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy