Gen Schwartz,

Why hasn't the Air Force seriously considered implementing Warrant Officer structure?



This question comes to mind for a multitude of reasons. A friend of mine was recently passed over for promotion to Major. He is a heavy pilot with more than 3000 hours of which 1500+ were combat. (He was never in any trouble, was successful, and well-liked). He simply never made the wickets and never had much interest in command...but he is among the best pilots I have ever served with and would have gladly stepped down from a senior captain to a W4 or similar position rather than get his walking papers.



Implementing WOs has many benefits and few drawbacks. It saves the AF tons of money in training through potential retention, keeps excellent and highly qualified individuals wanting to serve still serving, and provides an intermediary rank structure for technical experts in line with the other services. WOs would also nicely fulfill a void as many other posters in this forum have asked.



What are your thoughts? If you were a captain still believing he can make a difference, what would you do to try to get such a change implemented?