Navy To Get 1st Warrant Officers In Decades In 2019

The U.S. Navy has announced that six petty officers will be elevated to the rank of warrant officer-1 (W-1) next year, reports the Navy Times.

The petty officers are all from the cryptologic technician ratings, the service said on Dec. 7.

The selectees will attain their new rank in September and October 2019.

The appointments are part of the Navy's warrant officer program, which was implemented in June as part of efforts to boost the branch's cyberwarfare capabilities. 

The program targets applicants with cryptology ratings and at least six years of military service. 

The future warrant officers were chosen by a special selection board from a pool of 16 applicants. 

Warrant officers are common in the Army and Marine Corps. The Navy last issued the W-1 rank in 1975. The service has traditionally appointed sailors directly to the rank of chief warrant officer (W-2).

The officers will be able to apply for promotion to W-2 once they reach 12 years of service.

The goal of the warrant officer program, which comes with a six-year commitment, is to reduce the need to appoint civilians with needed skills as mid-level or senior petty officers, according to Vice Adm. Bob Burke, the Navy's top personnel officer.