Originally Posted by SASless
Warrant Officer One....usually one year in grade to make Chief Warrant Officer Two....then up to CW5. Alternatively....could be a 2nd Lieutenant....then 1st LT, Captain.....
W1 is a Warrant Officer (Officer) rank....CW2 and up are Commissioned Officers....2nd LT and up are Commissioned ranks.
Only the Army could come up with a system like that.
Here's some further information on US Warrants
WARRANT OFFICER 1 (WO1)
An officer appointed by the Secretary of the Army. WO1s are basic level, technically and tactically focused officers who perform the primary duties of technical leader, trainer, operator, manager, maintainer, sustainer, and advisor. WO1s primarily support levels of operations from team or detachment through battalion, requiring interaction with all soldier cohorts and primary staff.
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 (CW2)
An officer, commissioned by the President of the United States. CW2s are intermediate level technical and tactical experts who perform the primary duties of technical leader, trainer, operator, manager, maintainer, sustainer, and advisor. CW2s primarily support levels of operations from team or detachment through battalion, requiring interaction with all soldier cohorts and primary staff.
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 3 (CW3)
An officer, commissioned by the President of the United States. CW3s are advanced-level technical and tactical experts who perform the primary duties of technical leader, trainer, operator, manager, maintainer, sustainer, integrator, and advisor. CW3s primarily support levels of operations from team or detachment through brigade, requiring interaction with all soldier cohorts and primary staff.
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 (CW4)
An officer, commissioned by the President of the United States. CW4s are senior-level technical and tactical experts who perform the primary duties of technical leader, manager, maintainer, sustainer, integrator and advisor. They primarily support battalion, brigade, division, corps, and echelons above corps operations.
CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 5 (CW5)
An officer, commissioned by the President of the United States. CW5s are master-level technical and tactical experts who perform the primary duties of technical leader, manager, integrator, advisor, or any other particular duty prescribed by branch. CW5s primarily support brigade, division, corps, echelons above corps, and major command operations. CW5s have special WO leadership and representation responsibilities within their respective commands.