The United States Air Force has officially reopened the path to becoming a warrant officer in the critical fields of information technology (IT) and cyber operations, ushering in a new era for technical excellence and addressing a rapidly changing security environment. With applications accepted through May 31, the Air Force is poised to select up to 60 candidates for its inaugural cohort of warrant officers, revitalizing a corps last active in 1958.
Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall underscored the significance of this initiative at the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2024 Warfare Symposium. “We need operational units with all the capabilities they need to deter and compete with our pacing challenges and ready to enter a conflict on short or no notice,” Kendall stated. “In those units, we need the right mix of skills necessary for high-end combat and to ensure technological superiority, particularly in information technology and cyber.”
The reintroduction of the warrant officer rank reflects a strategic commitment to enhancing the technical prowess of the Air Force at a time when global power dynamics are shifting, and the threats to national security are more complex and technologically advanced. These warrant officers, blending the gap between enlisted airmen and commissioned officers, will serve as subject matter experts and advisors, specializing in either Warfighter Communications & IT Systems Operations (17W) or Cyber Effects & Warfare Operations (17Y).
According to an Air Force news release, the 17W specialty “designates expertise in planning, deployment, employment, and securing of enterprise and warfighter communication systems,” while the 17Y specialty will focus airmen who are “subject matter experts on offensive and defensive cyber operations assets and personnel.”
These roles are integral to maintaining the Air Force’s edge in cyber and IT capabilities.Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi emphasized the urgent need for such expertise, noting, “These are highly in-demand, and also extremely perishable, skills in today’s rapidly-evolving landscape.”
Eligible applicants must be active duty, Air National Guard, or Air Force Reserve service members holding at least the rank of staff sergeant, with specific experience and proficiency requirements for each specialty. These standards ensure that the selected airmen will be able to deliver the technological insight and innovation necessary for the Air Force to navigate the complexities of Great Power Competition.
The Air Force has made it clear that these warrant officer roles are not just a response to the current demand for cyber and IT skills but are also an investment in the future. The service is methodically preparing for the long-term challenge of preserving its strategic advantage in a rapidly evolving global security environment. This move is indicative of a broader shift in the Air Force, not only to augment its technical capacities but also to adapt to the accelerating pace of technological change that defines modern warfare.
For those selected, training is set to begin later this year or early 2025 at the Warrant Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Following completion, these newly minted warrant officers will be dispatched to operational units across the Air Force, where their specialized skills will be critical to the service’s cyber and IT endeavors.
Relevant articles:
– Air Force relaunches warrant officer corps to beef up cyber, IT capabilities, Stripes, 04/26/2024
– Air Force opens applications for warrant officer jobs in cyber, IT, AirForceTimes.com, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:41:10 GMT
– Air Force to begin accepting warrant officer applications, Air Force Link, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:03:45 GMT
– Air Force Opens Warrant Officer Applications Until May 31, Air & Space Forces Magazine, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:36:12 GMT
– Air Force Starts Taking Applications for Newly Reintroduced Warrant Officer Jobs, Military.com, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 19:21:00 GMT