Background:
U.S. Army senior leaders identified modernization of our people, “people change,” as the most important part of continuous transformation. Training, educating and developing our people with skills, knowledge and abilities our warfighting formations need on the modern battlefield will have an outsized impact on improving lethality, mobility and survivability. This new Military Occupational Specialty, 390A Robotics Technician, will enable and provide robotic and autonomous system solutions to tactical problems across all warfighting functions and domains during competition, crisis, and combat operations. The 390A will be assigned to tactical formations at brigade/group-level and above. This new MOS will be the subject matter expert for planning robotics and autonomous systems operations, integrating those operations into broader plans, engineering and fabricating robotic and autonomous system solutions to tactical problems, managing attritable systems and their kinetic and sensor payloads, and delivering those capabilities and effects in support of Soldiers at the tactical edge. To accomplish these tasks, the 390A is trained and educated on unmanned systems, counter unmanned systems and the principles and fundamentals of network and software engineering, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence and machine learning. Given the rapid pace of technological change, the 390A’s skills, knowledge and abilities require frequent updates to remain relevant. This will be accomplished through training, experimentation, self-study, professional military education, civilian education and internships throughout the course of a career as a 390A Robotics Technician.
a. Applicants will submit their packets no later than 2359 EST, 1 September 2026 to usasoc.390.aproponent.shdmbx@socom.mil. Applicants must be available to access and complete a proctored Army Research Institute online assessment from 2 November – 6 November 2026. Packet instructions are found below under Application and Procedures. Following submission, applicants will receive instructions for coordinating the assessment completion.
b. Applicants will undergo a file suitability assessment review by the U.S. Army Special Operations Center of Excellence (SOCoE).
c. Packets of personnel that meet the suitability assessment will then be evaluated and put in order of merit based on past performance and experience.
d. The top 15 personnel identified will then be invited to attend an in-person assessment and selection held at Fort Bragg, North Carolina from 30 November – 4 December 2026. A Principal and Alternate order of merit list [OML] for the FY2027 Robotics Technician Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC) will be published following the assessment and selection.
e. Final release of the by-name personnel will be coordinated through the Special Forces ARSOF Warrant Officer Manager. The Commanding General, SOCoE, will officially notify all applicants of the decision to attend WOBC.
f. Commissioned Officers applicants will submit their packets no later than 2359 EST, 1 September 2026 to michael.updike@socom.mil. Detailed packet submission instructions will be available QTR 1, FY27 and can be found at CLICK HERE or visit the US Army Warrant Officer Recruiting website. Applicants must be available to access and complete a proctored online assessment prior to the Warrant Officer Selection Board (WOSB). Following packet submission, applicants will receive instructions for attending Robotics Technician Warrant Officer Basic Course NET QTR 1, FY27.
g. Non-Commissioned Officer applicants will submit their packets no later than 2359 EST, 1 September 2026 to michael.updike@socom.mil. Detailed packet submission instructions will be available QTR 4, FY26 and can be found at CLICK HERE or visit the US Army Warrant Officer Recruiting website. Applicants must be available to access and complete a proctored online assessment prior to attending the Robotics Technical Warrant Officer Basic Course. Following packet submission, applicants will receive instructions for attending Warrant Officer Candidate School NET QTR 4, FY26.
Eligibility:
a. The MOS is open to all enlisted, officer, and warrant officer that are serving in United States Army.
i. Enlisted: Open to all MOS grades/ranks.
ii. Warrant Officer: Applicants must be a graduate of the Warrant Officer Candidate School and a Warrant Officer Basic Course. Must be a Chief Warrant Officer Two (CW2) with a minimum of one-year time in grade or Chief Warrant Officer Three (CW3) with no more than one-year time in grade.
iii. Officer: Applicants open to all branches. Officers must be branch qualified and O-2 through O-4.
b. Must meet Army physical fitness and Army Height / Weight standards.
c. Must possess a Secret clearance.
d. Have no derogatory information in their OMPF, a referred NCOER or OER, or pending adverse action.
e. Must be able to complete a six-year active-duty service obligation following graduation from WOBC.
Application and Procedures
Step 1: Send an email to michael.updike@socom.mil informing the Special Forces Warrant Officer Branch that you are interested and provide the following information:
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Standard Name Line
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Rank
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Branch
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MOS
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EMPLID
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UIC
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Current Position
Step 2: Create your packet with the following documents:
(2) Letter of Recommendation from a Senior Warrant Officer, minimum of a CW3, within your unit and your first line Commander, minimum of a O-5. Up to three (3) additional LoRs are acceptable but not required for a total of five (5). If you do not have a Senior Warrant Officer in your unit, identify a Senior Warrant Officer at the Brigade or Division level.
(3) Must select one of the following topics and submit a 500-word written statement on the relevance of the chosen topic to the Chief of Staff of the Army’s priorities and improving the lethality, mobility or survivability of the U.S. Army’s tactical formations on the modern battlefield. The candidate must state how they acquired their knowledge and the reasons for selecting the topic. There is not a specific format for the paper, but you must quote your sources.
(a) Robotics and autonomous systems and data science
(b) Robotics and autonomous system engineering
(c) Robotics and artificial intelligence or machine learning
(d) Robotics and electronic warfare
(e) Robotics and network or software engineering
(f) Robotics and warfighting functions (one or all the functions)
(g) Robotics and counter-robotics
(h) Robotics order of battle
(i) Robotics gunnery
(j) Robotics policy, acquisitions, law
(k) Robotics and autonomous systems technical research and development
(5) WO PME 1059s (WOBC/WOAC/WOILE – as applicable).
(6) Professional certificates or licenses related to robotics, cyber, signal or electronic warfare.
(7) If applicable provide transcripts from an accredited college and/or any certifications showing experience in a skill or talent that will support your success as a Robotics Technician.
(8) Any award (DA Form 638) as a Warrant Officer.
(9) Updated Soldier Talent Profile (STP).
(10) DA Form 705: ACFT scorecard (within six months).
(11) DA Form 5500 / 5501: Body fat composition worksheet (if applicable).
(12) S2 Security Clearance verification review (SCVR) (signed by S2 or SSO – See Sample).
(13) DA Form 3349 (Physical Profile) (if applicable).
(14) Statement of Understanding
Step 3: Order of documents will be as it’s listed in step 2: 4187 (Only for Warrant Officer Branch Transfers), essay, etc.as documents are listed above. Packet submission should be combined into one single unencrypted PDF document ("Flattened" or "Print to PDF" preferred) and named as your last name and last 4 (example DOE1234.pdf).
DO NOT attach your documents to the 4187 or submit as a PDF portfolio. This could result in your documents not populating the information appropriately.
Subject: 390A - Doe, John D – 1234- CW2
*Exceptions to Policy: At this time there should be no need for one, but if you believe you require or need to submit an exception to policy, please contact michael.updike@socom.mil first.
*DO NOT attempt a PAR in IPPS-A
Packet Submission Deadline is 1 September 2026