Coast Guard Warrant Officer Classification System

Warrant officers are technical officer specialists who perform duties that are technically oriented and acquired through experience and training and that are limited in scope in relation to other officer categories.

There are four grades of warrant officers: Warrant Officer, W-1 (WO1) (discontinued in 1975); Chief Warrant Officer, W-2 (CWO2); Chief Warrant Officer, W-3 (CWO3); and Chief Warrant Officer, W-4 (CWO4). The grades reflect salary increases and are normally indicative of the length of time a person has served as a warrant officer. The grades do not signify differences in job duties. A position requiring a warrant officer may be filled by any qualified warrant from WO1 to CWO4.

Selection and Evaluation

The warrant officer program provides an opportunity for appointment to commissioned warrant officer status for selected senior enlisted personnel. Competition is keen and individuals generally start preparing early in their careers. Potential candidates normally improve their skills through on-the-job training and specialized training through schools and correspondence courses.

Selection boards, composed of senior officers of experience, maturity, and varied backgrounds, are convened annually. Each candidate's qualifications are evaluated, and the board recommends those deemed best qualified.

Selection boards also meet annually to recommend those qualified for promotion. Performance is the major key to promotion. The selection procedure for promotion has always recognized the outstanding performer; mediocre performers are judged not to be competitive enough. Evaluations are recorded on Officer Evaluation Reports, an objective appraisal of performance by the senior reporting officer.

Time-in-grade is another criterion for promotion. Until May 1975, the time-in-grade requirements were:

After May 1, 1975, grade W-1 was discontinued; time-in-grade requirements are now:

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