[AzSteven]

Chief Warrant is a pretty impressive rank - warrant officers are effectively officers but are not commissioned as such. They don't really command but they perform important technical tasks that might oridinarily require a commissioned officer to deal with. For example, helicopter pilots are often warrants.

My nephew once complained warrants are basically enlisted guys with officer perks. He was oversimplifying more than a little of course.

[Rodney King]

For example, helicopter pilots are often warrants.

Really? When I was a kid I always wanted to be a helicopter pilot. I figured I had to go to West Point or Annapolis and my mother wouldn't let me (really). Damn, I would have just enlisted if I could have been a helicopter pilot.

[leadpenny]

Warrant Officers can be in command under certain circumstances.

[Who dat?]

My nephew once complained warrants are basically enlisted guys with officer perks. He was oversimplifying more than a little of course.

My uncle used to claim that warrant officers were the only people in the Army that retained their balls as (he claimed) they were to be addressed as “mister” rather than “sir.” Maybe that was just “at the time”…

[SandRat]

Chief Warrant is a pretty impressive rank - warrant officers are effectively officers but are not commissioned as such. They don't really command but they perform important technical tasks that might oridinarily require a commissioned officer to deal with. For example, helicopter pilots are often warrants.

CW3s and above though still called Warrant Officers are officially Commissioned officers under the new rules. 2LTs find out in a hurry that crossing a CW3 or higher is the dumbest and most painfull of actions in what could be a VERRRRRRRRyyyyy shortened tour of service. Not only will they get their butts chewed on "with all due respect SIR!" but CW3s and up usually have the General's ear.