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CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 2 (CWO2) — U.S. NAVY W-2

The Navy's entry-level commissioned warrant officer — appointed from the senior enlisted ranks.

Gold bar with two narrow blue breaks — Navy Chief Warrant Officer 2 collar device
Insignia
Paygrade
W-2
Abbreviation
CWO2
NATO Code
WO-2
Category
Warrant Officer
Basic Pay (2026)
$4,300–$7,154/mo
Officer Type
Warrant

OVERVIEW

Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CWO2) is the entry-level commissioned warrant officer rank in the U.S. Navy at paygrade W-2. Unlike WO1, who is appointed by warrant of the Secretary of the Navy, CWO2s are commissioned by the President. In practice, the Navy appoints qualified Chief Petty Officers, Senior Chief Petty Officers, and Master Chief Petty Officers directly to CWO2, skipping the W-1 grade.

Chief Warrant Officers serve as single-track technical specialists in fields such as Surface Operations, Aviation Maintenance, Information Warfare, Cryptology, Special Operations, Engineering, Ordnance, and Diving. CWO2s typically lead small technical teams, advise commanding officers on technical matters, and mentor enlisted Sailors in their community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Lead a small technical team in a specialty field
  • Advise the chain of command on technical matters within their community
  • Mentor and train enlisted Sailors in advanced technical skills
  • Stand technical-specialty watches afloat or ashore as required

HISTORY

The Chief Warrant Officer 2 grade was created in its modern form by the Warrant Officer Management Act of 1991, which restructured the warrant officer ranks across the Department of Defense. The Navy's CWO accession path draws qualified senior enlisted Sailors with at least 12 years of service and exceptional technical performance into the warrant officer community.

The Navy's Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program is a related but separate accession path that commissions senior enlisted Sailors as restricted commissioned officers (O-1E through O-6) in technical specialties.

PAY

W-2 basic pay · 2026 DFAS table
$4,300 – $7,154/ month
2026 DFAS basic pay table — W-2 grade.
How to address
Verbally "Mister/Miss Smith" or "Chief Warrant Officer Smith." In writing: "CWO2 Jane Smith, USN."
Prerequisites
  • Typically 12+ years of enlisted service at the E-6 (PO1), E-7 (CPO), E-8 (SCPO), or E-9 (MCPO) grade
  • Selection by the Navy CWO accession board
  • Commission by the President of the United States
Common assignments
  • Surface Ordnance Technician CWO aboard a destroyer or amphibious ship
  • Aviation Maintenance CWO at a fleet squadron or air station
  • Cryptologic Warfare Technician CWO at a Navy Information Operations Command
  • Diving Officer at an EOD or salvage unit

ADJACENT RANKS

Previous · W-1Warrant Officer 1Next · W-3 Chief Warrant Officer 3

RELATED BASE

Navy Base · CA
Naval Base San Diego
Many Pacific Fleet CWOs serve aboard surface combatants homeported at Naval Base San Diego.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A Navy Sailor must typically have at least 12 years of enlisted service at the E-6 grade or above and be selected by the annual CWO accession board. CWO2 is the typical entry grade for new warrant officers in the U.S. Navy.

Yes. CWO2 and above are commissioned warrant officers, commissioned by the President. WO1 is the only Navy warrant grade appointed by warrant of the Secretary of the Navy and is rarely used.

SOURCES

Last updated 2026-05-02
All Officer RanksFull Rank Structure