CHIEF WARRANT OFFICER 4 (CWO4) — U.S. NAVY W-4
The Navy's senior commissioned warrant officer — top technical authority in their specialty.
OVERVIEW
Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO4) is the U.S. Navy commissioned warrant officer rank at paygrade W-4. Promotion to CWO4 is by selection board after approximately 5–6 years as a CWO3. CWO4s are typically the senior technical specialist in their community at a major command — Type Commander staff, Numbered Fleet staff, or major shore activity.
CWO4s often hold billets such as Force Cryptologic Warfare Technician, Force Maintenance Officer, or senior technical advisor to a Carrier Strike Group commander.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Senior technical specialist in their community at a major command
- Force-level technical advisor at Type Commander or Numbered Fleet staff
- Lead instructor at a Navy Center of Excellence
- Mentor junior warrant officers and senior enlisted leaders
HISTORY
The CWO4 grade was set by the Warrant Officer Management Act of 1991 and is the senior commissioned warrant officer grade for most warrant officer communities. The CWO5 grade was added later as a capstone grade for the most experienced warrant officers.
Promotion to CWO4 historically runs at high opportunity rates for officers in the primary zone, reflecting the Navy's investment in retaining its most experienced technical specialists.
PAY
- Selection by the CWO4 promotion board
- Approximately 5–6 years of service as a CWO3
- Force Cryptologic Warfare Technician at a Type Commander staff
- Force Maintenance Officer at NAVAIR or a Type Commander
- Senior technical advisor at a Numbered Fleet or Combatant Command
- Master instructor at a Surface, Submarine, or Aviation school