Warrant Officer

A warrant officer (WO) is a member of a military organization holding one of a specific group of ranks. In most countries they are effectively senior non-commissioned officers, although technically in a class of their own between NCOs and commissioned officers. In the United States military system, however, officers at the Chief Warrant Officer level are in fact commissioned officers and are afforded the same privileges and courtesies, such as terms of address and salutes, as other commissioned officers.

Australian Defence Force

Warrant Officers in the Australian Defence Force are the senior non-commissioned ranks.

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Royal Australian Navy

The RAN has one Warrant Officer rank, equivalent to an Army Warrant Officer Class One. The equivalent to the Army's WO2 is Chief Petty Officer.

Related Topics:
RAN - Chief Petty Officer

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Australian Army

Like the British Army, the Australian Army has two Warrant Officer ranks: Warrant Officer Class One (WO1, which is the senior of the two) and Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2). A WO2 can hold the position of Company Sergeant Major, or a number of training or administrative positions. A WO1 can hold the position of Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of a battalion or equivalent unit, RSM of a brigade or larger formation, or occasionally a training or administrative position, particularly Quartermaster of a smaller unit.

Related Topics:
Australian Army - Company Sergeant Major - Regimental Sergeant Major - Quartermaster

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Army WO1s can be promoted to Captain, given what is known as a Prescribed Service Commission. It is rare for an officer promoted from WO1 to rise past Major, or to be given a command position.

Related Topics:
Captain - Prescribed Service Commission - Major

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The insignia of a WO2 is a crown worn on the sleeves. The insignia of a WO1 is an Australian coat of arms also worn on the sleeves.

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Warrant Officers in the Army are addressed by subordinates as "Sir" or "Ma'am". They can be addressed by commissioned officers according to their appointment (e.g. "CSM" or "RSM").

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Royal Australian Air Force

The RAAF has one Warrant Officer rank, equivalent to an Army WO1. The equivalent to the Army's WO2 is Flight Sergeant.

Related Topics:
RAAF - Flight Sergeant

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