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History of the Warrant Officer
Since its origin, the role and requirements of the Warrant Officer have gone through many changes. The rank and grade of Warrant Officer began in 1918. At that time, they served in the Army Mine Planter Service in the Coast Artillery Corps as masters, mates, chief engineers, and assistant engineers.
With the Act of 1920 came the appointment of Warrant Officers in clerical, administrative and band leading activities. The reason was to “reward” enlisted men for long service and “reward” former commissioned officers of World War I who lacked either the educational or other eligibility requirements necessary for continuance of commissioned status.
Between 1920 and 1930, the Warrant Officer Program was finally instituted as an “incentive” rather than a “reward.” As a result, the responsibilities of the Warrant Officer were greatly extended to include many of the duties previously held only by a commissioned officer.
Source: https://co.ng.mil/Resources/Officer-Mgt-Commissioning/WOCS/
