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Military folks, what is your rank?

What is/was your rank/grade

  • E1-E4

    Votes: 5 20.8%
  • E5-E6

    Votes: 11 45.8%
  • E7

    Votes: 3 12.5%
  • E8

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • E9

    Votes: 1 4.2%
  • W1-W5

    Votes: 1 4.2%
  • O1-O3

    Votes: 3 12.5%
  • O4-O5

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • O6

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • O7-O10

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    24

Sarcogito

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Yes I realize those are grades and not ranks. We have a bunch of current and former military members here so I thought it would be interesting to see how it breaks down. If you are former military please check the box of the rank you held upon separation/retirement. Non-US military, feel free to pick the grade that best equates.

This poll is anonymous.
 
O-ustanding! :mrgreen:
 
Yes I realize those are grades and not ranks. We have a bunch of current and former military members here so I thought it would be interesting to see how it breaks down. If you are former military please check the box of the rank you held upon separation/retirement. Non-US military, feel free to pick the grade that best equates.

This poll is anonymous.

A Marine or naval warrant officer is significantly different from an Army warrant officer. It's like comparing a Harley Davidson to a Schwinn bike. (Bad comparison, sorry Army.)

Marine Corps WO requirements:

Be serving on active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Regular Marine Corps and meet the following grade and time in service criteria, as applicable:
(1) For the Technical WO program, minimum grade of sergeant and have not less than 8 or more than 16 years of active naval service.
(2) For the Non-technical (Marine Gunner) WO program, minimum grade of gunnery sergeant and have not less than 16 or more than 23 years of active naval service.
Military Professional Development Center
 
I am an Army W3 (Chief Warrant Officer Three). For the civilians, warrant officers (with the exception of some aviators) start off in the enlisted ranks. I was in the Army for a couple years before I first laid my eyes on warrant officer. Warrant only make up about 2% of the Army. I was enlisted for 9 years before going warrant.

When I was attending my Warrant Officer Basic Course as a W1 at Fort Huachuca I walked past a group 2nd lieutenants who were fresh out of ROTC or OCS and were there for initial training in their particular field. The rank of a 2nd lieutenant is a gold bar. The next higher rank is 1st lieutenant and it is a silver bar. I guess these “butter bars” didn’t know what the hell to make of my silver bar with a black square in the center because one of them yelled “Group! AttenTION!” They all snapped to attention and the LT who called them to attention rendered a salute and in his loudest voice yelled “Sir, GOOD MORNING, SIR!” he may have also included the greeting of the day or some other nonsense soldiers and officers in initial training have to do.

I walked up to him, rendered a salute and just held it, staring him down. He was very nervous. We stood like that for a few seconds and the following conversation commenced:

Me: Lieutenant?
LT: Yes, Sir!
Me: Drop your salute.
LT: *hesitates and then drops salute*
Me: *drops salute* Lieutenant?
LT: Yes, Sir!
Me: I’m a warrant officer.
LT: *blank stare:
Me: YOU outrank ME
LT: Yes, Sir! Sorry, Sir!
Me: *sighs* Carry on Lieutenant.
 
I left as an E-5, AQ2, later ATO2.
 
I am an Army W3 (Chief Warrant Officer Three). For the civilians, warrant officers (with the exception of some aviators) start off in the enlisted ranks. I was in the Army for a couple years before I first laid my eyes on warrant officer. Warrant only make up about 2% of the Army. I was enlisted for 9 years before going warrant.

.

My first experience with Army WO's was in Vietnam, there were hundreds and hundreds of them. The first time I got in to an Army Slick it was pointed out to me that Army WO's were different from Marine WO's that all of these Army helicopter WO's only had a high school education. But I learned they had high GCT scores around 115 and above.

Have no idea if I was being jerked off or not at the time but I was told that the Army WO's helicopter pilots made better helicopter pilots than the college grad officers. That they were crazier. That was reassuring to hear. Yep, they were crazy flyers and that's what the Army wanted.

The Marine Corps "Gunner Warrant Officer" is probably the most respected rank in the Marine Corps.
 
I am an Army W3 (Chief Warrant Officer Three). For the civilians, warrant officers (with the exception of some aviators) start off in the enlisted ranks. I was in the Army for a couple years before I first laid my eyes on warrant officer. Warrant only make up about 2% of the Army. I was enlisted for 9 years before going warrant.

When I was attending my Warrant Officer Basic Course as a W1 at Fort Huachuca I walked past a group 2nd lieutenants who were fresh out of ROTC or OCS and were there for initial training in their particular field. The rank of a 2nd lieutenant is a gold bar. The next higher rank is 1st lieutenant and it is a silver bar. I guess these “butter bars” didn’t know what the hell to make of my silver bar with a black square in the center because one of them yelled “Group! AttenTION!” They all snapped to attention and the LT who called them to attention rendered a salute and in his loudest voice yelled “Sir, GOOD MORNING, SIR!” he may have also included the greeting of the day or some other nonsense soldiers and officers in initial training have to do.

I walked up to him, rendered a salute and just held it, staring him down. He was very nervous. We stood like that for a few seconds and the following conversation commenced:

Me: Lieutenant?
LT: Yes, Sir!
Me: Drop your salute.
LT: *hesitates and then drops salute*
Me: *drops salute* Lieutenant?
LT: Yes, Sir!
Me: I’m a warrant officer.
LT: *blank stare:
Me: YOU outrank ME
LT: Yes, Sir! Sorry, Sir!
Me: *sighs* Carry on Lieutenant.

When I first saw a Warrant Officer, I didn't know what to make of the rank, so I saluted him just to be safe. My first unit was a small airbase in Korea, so all kinds of uniforms and ranks strolled through.

My favorite saluting moment is an Air Force CPT who thanked me for saluting him, but didn't return the salute. I guess C&C isn't a part of the Air Force.
 
My first experience with Army WO's was in Vietnam, there were hundreds and hundreds of them. The first time I got in to an Army Slick it was pointed out to me that Army WO's were different from Marine WO's that all of these Army helicopter WO's only had a high school education. But I learned they had high GCT scores around 115 and above.

Have no idea if I was being jerked off or not at the time but I was told that the Army WO's helicopter pilots made better helicopter pilots than the college grad officers. That they were crazier. That was reassuring to hear. Yep, they were crazy flyers and that's what the Army wanted.

The Marine Corps "Gunner Warrant Officer" is probably the most respected rank in the Marine Corps.

I'm not too sure what your point is with the "crazy flyer" routine, but on many occasions, I've seen Army dust off pilots fly into the absolute hottest sorts of jungle frontline contact situations in order to get wounded and dying Americans out and to medical care. If you're looking to spew some silly ridicule, I'd suggest that you take it somewhere else other than those guys. Risking their lives to save our guys was their entire job description and I never saw one refuse to come in no matter how dangerous it was for them personally. Many died trying.

Give some thought to the fact that some remarks are just plain inappropriate and unnecessary.
 
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My first experience with Army WO's was in Vietnam, there were hundreds and hundreds of them. The first time I got in to an Army Slick it was pointed out to me that Army WO's were different from Marine WO's that all of these Army helicopter WO's only had a high school education. But I learned they had high GCT scores around 115 and above.

Have no idea if I was being jerked off or not at the time but I was told that the Army WO's helicopter pilots made better helicopter pilots than the college grad officers. That they were crazier. That was reassuring to hear. Yep, they were crazy flyers and that's what the Army wanted.

The Marine Corps "Gunner Warrant Officer" is probably the most respected rank in the Marine Corps.

That's only aviation warrant officers. (pilots) There are many warrant officer branches. For instance, I was in a job where you had to have several years experience and leadership in the technical field you wanted to go warrant in. It was a big deal and a big honor for those that went.
 
I'm not too sure what your point is with the "crazy flyer" routine, .

Radical turns and banking of the helicopter as if it were a fixed wing aircraft.

If you knew me on this forum you should know I always talk in historical context, or other wise I used the words that were used back then in historical context.

44 years ago while in-country, I was told that Army WO helicopter pilots were crazy flayers. Do you have a problem with that ? It wasn't my opinion or comment, it was what I was told. I also seem to remember being told that the Army WO pilots would take risk that the commissioned officer pilots normally wouldn't.

Personally I think the Marine CH-46 pilots were just as crazy. More than a few times I thought the pilot was going to do a complete roll.
 
A Marine or naval warrant officer is significantly different from an Army warrant officer. It's like comparing a Harley Davidson to a Schwinn bike. (Bad comparison, sorry Army.)

Marine Corps WO requirements:

Be serving on active duty (other than active duty for training) in the Regular Marine Corps and meet the following grade and time in service criteria, as applicable:
(1) For the Technical WO program, minimum grade of sergeant and have not less than 8 or more than 16 years of active naval service.
(2) For the Non-technical (Marine Gunner) WO program, minimum grade of gunnery sergeant and have not less than 16 or more than 23 years of active naval service.
Military Professional Development Center

The requirements for your Technical WO program seem similar to ours, though you can get away with a few less years if you meet the rank requirement. In my particular MOS I ahd to get the written recommendations of two senior warrants in my field. I do think the way the Marines and Navy do it is better, though. A warrant is supposed to be a subject matter expert so there is an advantage in selecting from, say, E-7s.

I think the culture of the Army recruiting warrants earlier on comes from our aviator program. Most Army aviators are warrant officers and they like their pilots young, so there is no rank or time in service requirement for the aviator program. Hell, we even have what we call “high school to flight school” warrants. You think a senior NCO gets annoyed at having to salute sum 23 year old butter bar? What about saluting a 19 year old spot? Fortunately they just fly and don’t command, though. But I think to an extent that culture has carried over into the non-aviator warrant fields as well.
 
It may be a bit off topic. But in the coming weeks Dardania will be celebrating it's freedom. Specifically these are the days from 1999 when NATO troops entered and scumbag Serbs left. So whichever order you may be, put your ranks or any military symbol you could wear outside of base or whatever, and join in the feast specially designed for you here. Your stay will be welcomed just by association (i.e., you do not have to be involved in the intervention then).

Cheers.
 
My first experience with Army WO's was in Vietnam, there were hundreds and hundreds of them. The first time I got in to an Army Slick it was pointed out to me that Army WO's were different from Marine WO's that all of these Army helicopter WO's only had a high school education. But I learned they had high GCT scores around 115 and above.

Have no idea if I was being jerked off or not at the time but I was told that the Army WO's helicopter pilots made better helicopter pilots than the college grad officers. That they were crazier. That was reassuring to hear. Yep, they were crazy flyers and that's what the Army wanted.

The Marine Corps "Gunner Warrant Officer" is probably the most respected rank in the Marine Corps.

I do think there is a difference between Army warrant aviators and commissioned officer aviators. Commissioned do a lot more than just fly. Right now there is an Army major aviator in the office next to me and the vast majority of his career has NOT been in a cockpit. With rare exceptions commissioned officers are lucky to be flying anything other than a desk once O-4 and after. Warrant aviators fly. Their whole career they fly. They aren’t jockeying for staff positions and increasing levels of command. They fly. When you rack up those kind of flight hours you probably do feel more confident taking more risks.

I have known two commissioned officers who resigned their commissions to go warrant because they just wanted to stay in the cockpit.
 
That's only aviation warrant officers. (pilots) There are many warrant officer branches. For instance, I was in a job where you had to have several years experience and leadership in the technical field you wanted to go warrant in. It was a big deal and a big honor for those that went.

I believe that only the Air Force doesn't have WO's.

I have no idea why E-5 is linked to E-6. ?

During the Vietnam War, any rank E-6 and above were considered to be lifers.

The Marines E-3 Lance Corporal of today is nothing more than a glorified PFC. Back when they brought back the L/Cpl rank in the early 60's it usually had some meaning. No real additional responsibilities but enough to keep you out of any real #### details. But when you made E-4 Cpl, it was a whole lot of new responsibilities, usually being responsible for well being and lives of three Marines. (The Rule of Three)

The Army's enlisted rank structure was really weird during the Vietnam War. All of the different specialist ranks, as if they were Navy ratings.
 
I believe that only the Air Force doesn't have WO's.

I have no idea why E-5 is linked to E-6. ?

During the Vietnam War, any rank E-6 and above were considered to be lifers.

The Marines E-3 Lance Corporal of today is nothing more than a glorified PFC. Back when they brought back the L/Cpl rank in the early 60's it usually had some meaning. No real additional responsibilities but enough to keep you out of any real #### details. But when you made E-4 Cpl, it was a whole lot of new responsibilities, usually being responsible for well being and lives of three Marines. (The Rule of Three)

The Army's enlisted rank structure was really weird during the Vietnam War. All of the different specialist ranks, as if they were Navy ratings.

The poll would only allow me to list 10 options so I had to collate some of them. And admittedly in doing so I did so with the bias of a modern day Army member. E-5s and E-6s are both considered “junior NCOs” in today’s Army. And most E-4s in the Army are not Corporals, and thus not NCOs, so I lumped them in with E1s-E3s. I tried to give the “senior NCOs” their own slots. Admittedly the break down may not be perfect.

I agree, the specialist ranks back then were confusing. Though I have to say, I don’t necessarily think that having a career path in the military, such as a career Specialist in which one just focuses on doing a particular job but never takes on higher leadership roles, is a bad thing. I have known Army mechanics who were damn good mechanics but who should NOT be leading soldiers. Why force them to move up to the NCO ranks or get out? Why not just let them keep fixing vehicles if that is what they excel at?
 
The requirements for your Technical WO program seem similar to ours, though you can get away with a few less years if you meet the rank requirement. In my particular MOS I ahd to get the written recommendations of two senior warrants in my field. I do think the way the Marines and Navy do it is better, though. A warrant is supposed to be a subject matter expert so there is an advantage in selecting from, say, E-7s.

I think the culture of the Army recruiting warrants earlier on comes from our aviator program. Most Army aviators are warrant officers and they like their pilots young, so there is no rank or time in service requirement for the aviator program. Hell, we even have what we call “high school to flight school” warrants. You think a senior NCO gets annoyed at having to salute sum 23 year old butter bar? What about saluting a 19 year old spot? Fortunately they just fly and don’t command, though. But I think to an extent that culture has carried over into the non-aviator warrant fields as well.

Do Army WO's have an equivalent to a commissioned officers rank like in the Marines and can Army WO's switch over to that equivalent rank like Marine WO's ?
When I first met Capt. Dale Dye ( the best military advisor in Hollywood, Saving Private Ryan, Flags of my Father, The Pacific, Platoon, etc.) he told me he was a Marine WO and some where during his career he switched over to his equivalent, Captain. I believe a Marine Chief Warrant Officer is equal to a Major.
 
Sergeant, E-5 type. Currently thinking about going "O." :mrgreen:

It has its advantages and disadvantages. Between NCO, Warrant, and Commissioned, Commissioned officers have the least control over their careers. You typically aren’t even guaranteed which branch (i.e. Infantry, Quarter Master, AG) you will get. And then within that branch your assignment s will vary tremendously through various types of staff jobs in between actual commands. But of course the money and quality of life are better. Except for Lieutenants. Lieutenants are treated like sh!t by the chain of command.

If leading troops is what you really enjoy, though, nothing beats being an NCO. And if you like your particular field and just want to focus on that field, warrant is a good bet. Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
I agree, the specialist ranks back then were confusing. Though I have to say, I don’t necessarily think that having a career path in the military, such as a career Specialist in which one just focuses on doing a particular job but never takes on higher leadership roles, is a bad thing. I have known Army mechanics who were damn good mechanics but who should NOT be leading soldiers. Why force them to move up to the NCO ranks or get out? Why not just let them keep fixing vehicles if that is what they excel at?

That's the way it use to be before the all volunteer military. What is it, passed up three times for promotion and your out ?
I remember what were called career privates. Damn good Marines in the field but either screwed up in garrison or just lacked leadership ability. 1969 and a combat vet of Korea who served with Chesty Puller and was only a L/Cpl.

Came across a highly respected Marine Captain company commander in Nam, who landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima 23 years before. One of the best company grade officers but I guess he wouldn't have been as good as a field grade officer. Maybe he was just smart and knew how to keep away from sitting at a desk ?
 
Do Army WO's have an equivalent to a commissioned officers rank like in the Marines and can Army WO's switch over to that equivalent rank like Marine WO's ?
When I first met Capt. Dale Dye ( the best military advisor in Hollywood, Saving Private Ryan, Flags of my Father, The Pacific, Platoon, etc.) he told me he was a Marine WO and some where during his career he switched over to his equivalent, Captain. I believe a Marine Chief Warrant Officer is equal to a Major.

Technically speaking, a warrant officer is a “commissioned officer” once they make W2. W1s have a warrant from the SECDEF. W2s and after have a commission from the POTUS, just like traditional commissioned officers. But “commissioned warrant officer” is a mouthful I guess.

But I get what you are saying. I don’t know all the details but to go from warrant to commissioned isn’t that straightforward any more. I do know warrant officers who switch over are exempt from portions of OCS. And I do know if I switched over to the commissioned side I would not have to start back over at O1, but I am not sure where they would start me. A warrant officer and a commissioned officer have very different jobs, though. Although one interesting bit of trivia is that in Special Forces, warrant officers are often XOs.
 
Left the Army as an E-7.....Combat Veteran/ 2 Tours. Volunteered and was not Drafted.
 
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