Frequently Asked Questions

Warrant officers will serve as technical experts, functional leaders, advisors, professionals, and risk managers. They serve as subject matter experts, sharing their technical expertise, mission experience, and advice, to contribute to the overall proficiency of their organizations.
1. Technical Expert: Warrant officers are responsible for maintaining and advancing their specialized technical knowledge within their chosen field. They serve as subject matter experts, sharing their expertise and experience to enhance the proficiency of their units.
2. Functional Leader: Warrant officers assume leadership roles within their specialty, guiding both enlisted personnel and commissioned officers. They bridge the gap between technical expertise and operational requirements, ensuring effective communication and task execution.
3. Advisor: Warrant officers provide valuable insights and recommendations to commanders and senior leaders, particularly in areas requiring specialized knowledge. Their advice is instrumental in decision-making processes, contributing to mission success.
4. Professional Development: Warrant officers are expected to stay updated with the latest advancements in their field, actively engaging in professional development activities. This commitment ensures they remain at the forefront of technological and procedural changes.
5. Risk Management: Warrant officers contribute to the management of mission risks by assessing and mitigating potential challenges associated with technical operations. Their expertise aids in developing strategies to minimize risks and maximize mission success.

WOs can be singularly focused on mission success via technical dominance, which allows command teams to focus on mission requirements and assist in reducing technical competency erosion putting a focus on operational mission success.

The only career fields offered at this time is Cyber/IT.

There are currently two AFSCs for warrant officers.
1. 17W – Warfighter Communications & IT Systems Operations. These individuals are the subject matter experts and respected advisors to leadership regarding the planning, deployment, employment, and securing of enterprise and warfighter communication systems. They direct, plan, administer, manage, integrate, and assess communication systems and capabilities, as well as cybersecurity policies at all echelons. They provide technical guidance to commanders and staff on the operation and management of Air Force, Joint, intergovernmental, interagency, and multi-national cyberspace assets, and personnel. Additionally, they lead, develop, and mentor cyberspace and information technology personnel in building, configuring, operating, maintaining, securing, protecting, sustaining, and extending cybersecurity systems and software.
2. 17Y – Cyber Effects & Warfare Operations. These individuals are subject matter experts and respected advisors to leadership, offering insights into the employment of both offensive and defensive cyber operations assets and personnel. They are responsible for orchestrating, managing, and integrating cyberspace technical capabilities, delivering critical technical recommendations across various military and inter-agency platforms. Their role involves integrating cyberspace capabilities into warfighting functions to enhance combat effectiveness and maneuvering strategically in the Cyber Domain to exert pressure on adversaries both offensively and defensively. Furthermore, they champion the training and guidance of cyber personnel, providing both individual and collective instruction. They are instrumental in establishing and evaluating Joint Qualification Requirements (JQRs), Joint Qualification Standards (JQSs), and Joint Cyberspace Training and Certification Standards (JCT&CS).

The Department of the Air Force is facing a significant, dangerous shift in the strategic security environment. The DAF has historically adapted at key inflection points to best compete in emerging security landscapes. As we confront this new strategic environment, we must do what we have always done in moments like this: change. We must optimize to pivot from supporting post-9/11 conflicts and demands to deterring, and if necessary, winning, future conflicts in an era of Great Power Competition. Implementing change today ensures we are ready for tomorrow. Reintroducing the warrant officer career tracks will ensure the Air Force maintains the technical leadership in the IT and cyber fields, which are critical to optimizing our force.

The reintroduction of warrant officers provides a path to develop and retain specialized technical expertise with a unique focus on operational mission success.  Warrant officers play a critical role in enhancing the technical readiness and operational effectiveness within the force.

The Warrant Officer Corps was dissipated in 1959 due to introduction of the senior noncommissioned officer tier, specifically E-8s and E-9s, who took on warrant officer responsibilities. These SNCOs took on specific technical duties, but were never relieved of their institutional requirements.

Warrant officers distinguish themselves by assuming the role of functional leaders within their specialized domains. They offer guidance to both enlisted personnel and commissioned officers, adeptly bridging the gap between technical expertise and operational requirements. This ensures seamless communication and efficient task execution, crucial in navigating the dynamic landscape of Cyber and IT. In these rapidly evolving fields, continuous skill development is imperative to remain agile and stay ahead of potential adversaries.

Not at this time. Considering the Service’s small size and its highly technical nature, we do not believe that the introduction of Warrant officers would be beneficial either to the Service or to its members. Instead, the Space Force will focus on building career paths around technical expertise, especially for our Enlisted Guardians. Moreover, we are investigating our options to incentivize and retain all our highly skilled Guardians and not just the select few that we might otherwise be able to nominate as Warrant officers.

Warrant officers will be restricted to Cyber/IT career fields only. For the initial cohort, only uniformed candidates – active, Guard and Reserve Airmen E-5 and above– are eligible. The legal age limit for officer accession is 42.

No. If an enlisted member accepts an appointment as a warrant officer, Save Pay will offset any differences in pay if the enlisted pay was greater. For example, an E-9 accepts an appointment as a W-1, the member’s old pay and entitlements as an E-9 totaled $9,800 per month. The new pay and entitlements as a W-1 totaled $8,700 per month. The $1,100 difference will be reflected on the member’s leave and earnings statement (LES) as "Save Pay.

Yes. Save Pay does not apply to officers who accept appointments as warrant officers. A member who is not entitled to Save Pay due to appointment as a Warrant Officer may have it listed on their account or LES because Save Pay may be used to pay other entitlements (for example, Assignment Incentive Pay.) It is recommended that the service member contact their servicing finance office in this situation to determine what the Save Pay entitlement was processed for, if not already aware of the reason.

Save Pay ends when a member’s Officer pay exceeds their prior Enlisted pay. For further information regarding Save Pay, please reference the DoD Financial Management Regulation (FMR) Volume 7A, Chapter 1, Paragraph 3.3.