Status and Roles of Warrant Officers

LazerLordz SG

Well, no.I finished my compulsory service which is called National Service and now I'm in the reserves. Smile

LazerLordz SG

Mr. Green

Actually NSmen do get promoted, but only if your unit performs well in reservist training. Laughing and that is not always a good thing.

Shotgun SG

You really really really want to be a platoon sergeant’??? hahaha

specfore SG

Actually depends... in the case of a work colleague ( he is some years my senior ... so he was under the "old" rank structure... e.g. Staff Sgt direct to WO2)... he started off in NS as a section cmdr (CPL) and then moved onto to Platoon Sgt ( SGT) and towards the last 3 years of his reserve liability, he became a WO2 and was RSM for his battalion.

In the case of myself, I started reservist as a SGT (under the "old " rank system). Then was re-designated 3SG under the "new " rank system, then promoted to 2SG within a couple of years... and towards the end of my liability , I was moved up to 1SG ( even tho' I was on disruption !).

It all depends on the establishment ranks and vacancies, and the type of unit.

Normal infantry battalion has fewer promotion opportunities, whether be it for officers or NCOs/ Specs.

Shotgun SG

Hmmm, so its possible that if they change our rank system again, some of us will be getting promoted again?

LazerLordz SG

No idea.My dad once talked about the old system, and how he was pushed, as in the above example from SGT(Old) to SSG(new) by the time he ROD.

LazerLordz SG

Me?Nah. Laughing

specfore SG

Actually, there was a lot of unhappiness with the new rank system. On one hand, it gave more scope for promotion , which under the old rank system , due to its limited number of ranks, could not provide.

But the problem then became that it was difficult to reach WO rank in the new rank system, as there were many intermediate rank steps. Example , for comparison, old rank system, between SGT and WO2, there was only one step (SSG).

Now, between 3SG and 2WO... there are 2SG, 1SG, SSG, MSG... 4 ranks in between.

Doubt if there will be a new system. The organisation is now built around this and it cannot go backwards.

New_WO1 SG

You certainly have a large number of NCO ranks. What were the reasons for changing the system? And do you have to be promoted to MSG before you can become a Warrant?

LazerLordz SG

Main reasons were to improve staff morale and allow for advancement in rank to be evident.

Yes, you have to be a MSG before you can go for Joint Warrant Officers Course.

New_WO1 SG

And does the role of a WO differ considerably from that of a MSG?

Shotgun SG

From what I observe at my unit, the WOs tend to do more management, and assigning work to junior commanders.

The MSGs act more like the intermediate supervisor / advisor to the junior commanders at my unit.

fudgester SG

I'd say so, though I'm not sure to what extent. An MSG is still considered as a senior specialist, while a WO is already in the next level of ranks.

specfore SG

Uhh... actually it is the case for many of our NCOs/ Specialists. I, for example, was a First Sgt.... I have a bachelor's and master's degree and I was educated in London ! Laughing

Because our armed forces is largely conscript, there are people from all walks of life serving in various ranks in the forces. An example was I had an airline pilot who was a signal NCO in my section, when I was in the reserves.

I have several friends , who are lawyers and architects, who are infantry section (squad) commanders. In fact, one architect , who's my cousin, is a sniper NCO.

New_WO1 SG

Interesting discussion.

Can you tell me where on the web I can find a list of US (or NATO) - Singapore equivalent ranks?

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