Warrant Officer Training School held its second graduation at Maxwell Air Force Base, March 13.
Presided by Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, WOTS graduated 30 warrant officers, sending technical experts and advisors into the force to support the cyber and IT career fields.
"What you're doing matters," Robinson said addressing the flights of graduates. "The character of warfare has changed quite a bit since the last great conflict. You are representatives of what that means. We are at the tip of the spear largely because the cyber, information, and air domains largely make up the difference in time it takes to cover the geography with our competitors. If you miss a critical factor in a string of code, that is the difference in success or failure of the mission. You're going to bring that attention to detail to the table."
The newly established WOTS is an eight-week accessioning program designed to take technical experts and teach them how to operate as warrant officers in today's Air Force. All candidates to date have been noncommissioned officers and bring levels of experience technically but leave their stripes as they enter the door and learn what is expected as a warrant officer. Structured around the pillars of professional warfighter, technical integrator, and credible advisor, graduates leave equipped to bring value to their new stations.
"We receive candidates who already possess the technical credibility," said Maj. Nathan Roesler, WOTS commandant. "Our goal is to ensure the men and women that leave here are ready to weaponize that credibility paired with leadership, communication, critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will enhance their ability to be effective in the agile environment we are in today."
The class of 30 graduates, including six from the Air National Guard, 23 from active-duty Air Force and one Air Force Reservist, will join the 17W and 17Y career fields, which focus on technology and cyber operations.
