CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 3 (CWO3) — U.S. NAVY W-3
The Navy's mid-grade commissioned warrant officer — senior technical specialists.
OVERVIEW
Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) is the U.S. Navy commissioned warrant officer rank at paygrade W-3. Promotion from CWO2 to CWO3 is by selection board, typically after 5–6 years of warrant-officer service. CWO3s assume increasingly senior technical leadership roles and may supervise other warrant officers and senior enlisted Sailors.
CWO3s frequently serve as the senior technical specialist in their community at a major command, lead instructor at a Navy "C"-school, or technical advisor at a Type Commander or Numbered Fleet staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Senior technical specialist in a community at a major command
- Lead instructor at a Navy "C"-school or Center of Excellence
- Technical advisor at a Type Commander or Numbered Fleet staff
- Mentor junior CWOs and senior enlisted leaders
HISTORY
The CWO3 grade was reorganized by the Warrant Officer Management Act of 1991 along with the rest of the warrant officer pay grades. Promotion progressions from CWO2 to CWO3, CWO4, and CWO5 mirror commissioned officer promotion timelines.
Modern Navy warrant officer specialties include Surface Operations, Aviation Maintenance, Aviation Operations, Engineering, Information Warfare, Cryptologic Warfare, Intelligence, Civil Engineering, EOD, Diver, Special Warfare, Operations Technician, and Bandmaster — among others.
PAY
- Selection by the CWO3 promotion board
- Approximately 5–6 years of service as a CWO2
- Senior Cryptologic Warfare CWO at a Navy Information Operations Command
- Aviation Maintenance CWO3 at a Fleet Replacement Squadron
- Surface Operations CWO3 aboard a flagship
- Senior instructor at the Surface Warfare Officers School