The US Army ACA command and the Directorate of Contracting has a journeyman level of GS-11 as of a few years ago. That has created problems as those GS-11's often leave a year after they reach that level for GS-12 and GS-13 journeyman level positions.
I brought that up a number of times at DOC Ft. Benning and they pretty much ignored it. Now I am with DHS in Dallas and the journeyman level here is GS-13. Seems they would figure that out, but then again the only people at Ft. Benning who come to WIFCON have already left or are not in the 1102 career field to begin with.
Regarding the thread topic, I have heard of a few people refusing a warrant as they did not want to spend their days looking at other peoples work, choosing instead to produce their own work. Not a greatly career enhancing move in their cases, but if they did not want a promotion, career enhancement was not a big deal to begin with.
Personally, I do want to progress in my career, so I sought a warrant as soon as I was qualified for one. Yes, it is added responsiblities without added pay, but as with many investments, the payoff comes later when I am found to be worthy for promotions into leadership positions. A big way to prove that worth is to be a leader first, and a Contracting Officer can be a much greater leader than someone who is an unwarranted Contract Specialist.