LESSON
DESCRIBE THE HISTORY OF THE WARRANT OFFICER
OVERVIEW
TASK DESCRIPTION
In this lesson you will learn the history of the warrant officer.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
ACTIONS:
Identify specific historical facts about the warrant officer.
CONDITIONS:
You will be given the history of the warrant officer.
STANDARDS:
You must identify specific historical facts about the warrant officer according to DA Pam
600-11.
REFERENCES:
The material in this lesson was derived from the following publication:
DA Pam 600-11 (Jan 85, with.Changes 1 and 2).
INTRODUCTION
The rank of warrant officer has a long history. Some evidence suggests that Napoleon used warrant officers as
communication links between the "nobility and the rabble in the ranks" (his commissioned officers and the rank and file).
The American warrant officer has a history of over 200 years. Originally, warrant officer was a naval rank; the Army did
not begin appointing warrant officers in significant numbers until after World War I. Today, the Army Warrant Officer
Corps numbers over 12,000. Knowing the history of the warrant officer will help you better understand the warrant
officer's role and mission in the modern Army.
1. THE FIRST AMERICAN WARRANT OFFICER
a. The military heritage of the American warrant officer can be traced to 23 December 1775 when a seaman by
the name of John Berriman was appointed a warrant officer to act as purser aboard the American ship Andrea Doria. The
rank was considered
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