A Warrant Officer in the United States Marine Corps provides leadership and displays technically superior skills in a specialized field. In general, a Warrant Officer is not responsible for any type of managerial or direct supervisory duties due to the fact that he/she is expected to focus on his/her specialty. The vast majority of Warrant officers are promoted from the senior Non-Commissioned Officer ranks of the Marine Corps. The Enlisted to Warrant Officer Program provides the opportunity for a qualified enlisted Marine, who is a technical expert in his/her field, to apply for appointment to Warrant Officer in the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) in which he/she is technically proficient.
A Marine Corps Warrant Officer is not required to obtain a degree in order to serve in that capacity. However, a four-year degree can certainly enhance the career of Warrant Officer. To find schools that support your drive to earn a degree, click on the "Find A School" button below:
A Chief Warrant Officer, CWO2-CWO5, with an MOS 0306, is known as an "Infantry Weapons Officer." This individual is more affectionately known as a "Marine Gunner." A Marine Gunner replaces the Chief Warrant Officer insignia on the left collar with a bursting bomb insignia.
A Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) is a an advanced level expert in his/her MOS supporting higher echelons. A Marine of this rank is often in a position to provide advice to commanders on issues that concern Warrant Officers. They also interact with NCOs, other officers, primary staff, and special staff.