CW5 Wade Lavron told a professional development forum for warrant officers that this was his second time at an Association of the United States Army’s Annual Meeting. The first time, he set up a booth in the exhibit area and then took it down; but on Oct. 26, he spoke at the first break-out session for warrant offices at the meeting.The chairman of the Senior Warrant Officer Council said as a group, warrant officers "are very detail oriented" and are technical experts.Warrant officers make up 14 percent [more than 21,800] of the Army’s officer ranks and spread now across 15 branches. Warrant officers make up 2 percent of the total Army."It’s not all about technical" proficiency, he said. "Army professionalism is going to be very big this year …We need to talk about leader development" and the expanding role of warrant officers in tomorrow’s Army.That means the Army schoolhouse."One of the biggest challenges I have is getting warrant officers into the schoolhouse at the appropriate time" after nine years of war. "There is a lot being asked of us at this time, and the Army expects much more from us."Adding, "The vice chief of staff thinks warrant officers can be a bigger voice than just the Army."CW5 Mike Funk, deputy commandant of the Warrant Officer Career College, said the facilities are growing at Fort Rucker, Ala., to handle the expected growth in the number of warrant officers. He said that for the resident candidate course the college is expecting 1,816 this fiscal year and 2,539 next fiscal year.Among the changes in the candidate course are having the same standards for the active and reserve components and involving Flight School XXI in the field exercise.Funk added that the staff course has been increased by a week to five weeks and to four weeks from two in the senior staff course, with an emphasis on strategic level education.CW5 Gary Nisker, the senior Army National Guard warrant officer, said that 45.7 percent of the warrant officers in his component are retirement eligible. "You can see the predicament we are in."Adding, "We need to start some of our recruiting efforts to take from the (5,000 over end-strength soldiers in the National Guard) into the warrant officer and officer corps."Looking into the future, he said, "Warrant officers need to be members of a professional association," such as the Association of the United States Army. "I encourage all of you to determine what association represents your interests and become involved with them."