Army Branches and Careers

A career as an Army Officer is an exciting, dynamic one, no matter what branch you choose to pursue. There are a number of fields, or branches, that you can join as an Army Officer. From leading Soldiers on the modern battlefield to conducting scientific research in labs worldwide, the choices you have are vast. A brief description of many of your choices follows. We highly recommend that you visit  www.branchorientation.com for more information.

Air Defense Artillery

Defending the third dimension of the battlefield - the air and space above - is the mission of the Air Defense Artillery (ADA). And it's a continuous mission - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in both peace and war. With this kind of responsibility, it's easy to understand why the training of an Air Defense Artillery officer is so critical.

Your training will begin with the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course. After its completion, you'll attend one or a combination of the following Air Defense Weapons System courses: PATRIOT, HAWK, Pedestal Mounted Stinger, Line of Sight-Forward-Heavy or Chaparral/Vulcan.

Your training will include both classroom instruction and field exercises to prepare you for your first assignment.

As a Second Lieutenant in the ADA, you could become a platoon leader in a PATRIOT or HAWK surface-to-air missile unit; or a platoon leader in a unit with Line of Sight-Forward-Heavy or Pedestal Mounted Stinger weapons; or a platoon leader in a Chaparral missile/Vulcan air defense gun battalion.

With faster, more sophisticated aircraft being developed daily, the role ADA will play in defending our country will become even more challenging and demanding.

And for the young, bright, ambitious officer who makes ADA his/her career, the sky's the limit.

Adjutant General’s Corps

People are the Army. To manage our most valuable resource, the Army has a series of personnel management systems. These systems impact on unit readiness, morale, and soldier career satisfaction, and cover the lifecycle management of all Army personnel. The Adjutant General's (AG) Corps runs these systems.

The AG Corps officer is responsible for both peacetime and wartime personnel systems. These systems cover all personnel activities from accession of new soldiers, to discharge and retirement. While AG officers train to operate specialized wartime personnel systems such as replacement operations, strength accounting, casualty reporting, and postal, they must also operate the peacetime personnel system on a day-to-day basis. Being an AG officer presents varied challenges to solve real personnel problems.

Development of the AG Corps officer parallels that of other branches in offering both Basic and Captains’ Career Courses in the Adjutant General's School. AG Corps officers can expect a wide variety of assignments, ranging from a battalion staff officer to commander of a Personnel Service Company. AG Corps officers can be found at all levels in the Army, in virtually every country in the world. All AG Corps officer skills are open to women.

The AG Corps is a dynamic and ever-changing branch that has the tremendous responsibility of operating the Army's personnel support systems. It is the right choice for a bright and energetic young person who is people-oriented.

Armor

The heritage and spirit of the United States Horse Cavalry lives today in Armor. And although the horse has been replaced by 60 tons of steel driven by a 1500HP engine, the dash and daring of the Horse Cavalry still reside in Armor.

Today, the Armor branch of the Army (which includes Armored Cavalry), is one of the Army's most versatile combat arms. And it's continually evolving to meet worldwide challenges and potential threats.

Being a leader and a manager of men and equipment in Armor is challenging and demanding. An Armor officer learns to develop into a competent, professional combined arms leader capable of employing tanks, armored and air cavalry, mechanized infantry, artillery, engineers, and Army aviation, all supported by a flexible and swift communications network and a highly mobile and responsive combat service support system.

As he progresses in rank, he develops skills which encompass the entire range of combined arms operations and leadership responsibilities. He manages training, funds, fleets of vehicles, equipment, maintenance systems, and much more.

Without a doubt, the Armor branch offers a bright, ambitious young man an excellent opportunity for advancement to senior levels of responsibility.

Aviation

It takes a lot of people to keep the Army flying. We need aviators to fly aircraft, mechanics to fix them, and air traffic controllers to guide them safely through the sky. And you can be an officer with this team of young, bright, ambitious professionals who make up the Aviation Branch.

Army Aviation officers play key roles in combat, combat support, communications, logistics, and intelligence operations. But to be an Army aviator, you need more than a desire to fly. You need strength to lead, the composure to keep cool under pressure, and the overwhelming desire to succeed.

To say the Army's flight training program is tough is an understatement. It is probably the most mentally challenging and emotionally draining education you will ever experience. But as you achieve each important milestone from your first solo flight through to graduation day, you will feel a new sense of accomplishment and pride.

The role of Army Aviation is dynamic and growing. The sophisticated high-tech experiences gained in Army Aviation will provide you with personal fulfillment.You will find the career as an Aviation Branch officer very rewarding. Living and working on the cutting edge, you will be constantly challenged to be the very best you can be.

Chaplain Corps

From the beginning of our national history, Chaplains, as soldiers of God, have helped to shape the heritage of America. The United States Army Chaplaincy was officially created by an act of Continental Congress in July of 1775 upon the urgent request of General George Washington. Today's Chaplains, representing over 100 faith groups, provide comprehensive religious support to soldiers and their families in war and peace.

Chaplains may be commissioned through ROTC, USMA, OCS, or direct commission channels. Chaplains must possess a baccalaureate degree and three graduate years of professional study in theology. They must also be endorsed to serve as Army chaplains by their denominations, churches, or other recognized ecclesiastical endorsing agents.

Chaplains may enter the Army as First Lieutenants but normally spend their tour as Captain. Chaplains perform many types of ministry as a part of the Unit Ministry Team, which includes both Chaplains and enlisted Chaplain Assistants.

Chaplains may minister to soldiers and family members in troop units, in hospitals, in Army Service Schools, or in overseas military communities. With a worldwide mission, the Unit Ministry Team facilitates the free exercise of religion for all soldiers and their family members guaranteed by the United States Constitution.

For those who are called to serve both God and Country, the United States Army Chaplain Corps offers a challenging and rewarding career.

Chemical Corps

Today’s volatile world needs leaders who understand nuclear, biological and chemical threats to our great Nation. The Army demands officers who possess expertise in nuclear, biological, chemical, smoke, and flame operations. The chemical officer fulfills these vital roles.

Whether you are a Chemical Corps lieutenant in a combat arms battalion or a Chemical Corps colonel making critical recommendations to the Corps Commander, you will play an invaluable part in winning on tomorrow's battlefield.

Throughout your career, you, as a chemical officer, can also expect to perform such diverse duties as platoon leader, commander, operations officer, project manager, instructor, and engineer. You must become an expert in all facets of combat operations, logistics, training, intelligence, personnel management, research, development, and analysis. The mission of the chemical officer is extremely challenging. Only the most motivated and enterprising officers fill this mold.

Upon graduation from the Chemical Officer Basic Course, you may be selected to go to Ranger and Airborne School. All basic course graduates will be affiliated with the Chemical Corps Regiment. This affiliation will foster long-time loyalty and commitment which will perpetuate the history, customs, and traditions of the Chemical Corps. As a Chemical Corps officer, your service will also contribute to the proud tradition of the U.S. Army.

Army Dental Corps

All specialties of dentistry are represented in the Army Dental Corps. And its mission is a lot more important than relieving toothaches. To help preserve the strength of the Army, the Dental Corps provides preventative, surgical and restorative dental care to its members.

Officers are appointed to the Dental Corps after graduating from an accredited school of dentistry and being awarded either a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).

Corps of Engineers

Combat Engineers have been a vital and inseparable element of the combined arms team since the Battle of Bunker Hill. They are the first in and last to leave a battle. Virtually all engineer officers receive troop leading experience in combat, construction, or topographic engineering units before branching out into such fields as civil works, military construction, environmental engineering and other specialties.

Combat missions for engineers include: bridge building and destruction; minefield emplacement and breaching; obstacle/fortification emplacement and reduction; and other tasks requiring specialized engineer skill and equipment. Construction engineers build and maintain roads, airfields and facilities to support combat operations. Topographic engineers provide the terrain depiction products and analyses that give maneuver commanders and edge in battle.

After appropriate and successful troop experience, engineer officers may be sent to graduate school to specialize in construction management and other disciplines culminating in command of engineer districts and divisions involved in water resource and other domestic and overseas infrastructure projects, or construction and maintenance of military facilities.

Being an Army Engineer is challenging and important work. A career in the Engineer Regiment is filled with opportunities for bright, ambitious young people who want to build a successful career.

Field Artillery

The Field Artillery is the Army's Fire Support branch - the "King of Battle". Its leaders must destroy, neutralize or suppress the enemy by cannon, rocket, or missile fire, and integrate all supporting fires - Field Artillery, tactical air, Naval guns, Army aviation and mortars - into combined arms operations. Field Artillerymen put "Steel on Target" in the right places, at the right time and in the right proportions to assure the success of the maneuver commander's plan of attack that requires thorough understanding of maneuver and fire support doctrine, tactics, and techniques.

Field Artillery lieutenants serve as cannon, rocket or missile platoon leaders, company fire support officers and battery fire direction officers. Later as captains, they may command a firing battery, serve as battalion fire support officer, or staff officer at battalion, brigade or division artillery level. If you're looking for leadership challenges and the opportunity to work with the most sophisticated equipment available, join the "King of Battle".

Finance Corps

The ultimate mission of the Finance Corps is to sustain the combat soldier and commanders in the field with timely and accurate finance and accounting support. This support includes military and civilian pay, the preparation any payment of travel, transpiration and commercial vendor vouchers, and accounting for the obligation and disbursement of public funds.

In addition to providing the traditional military pay support to the individual soldier, the Finance Corps plays an important role in supporting logistical, medical, and supply requirements during tactical missions. As a Finance Corps lieutenant, you may be part of a Finance Support Detachment assigned to support a tactical unit. These missions could require you to set up and monitor contacts with local commercial vendors financing local purchases for supplemental rations, repair parts, fuel, or anything else that supports the mission.

To become a Finance Corps lieutenant, you must have a baccalaureate degree with specialization in business, accounting, or computer science, and a minimum of six academic hours of accounting. As a newly commissioned officer, your training begins at the Finance Officer Basic Course. Additional training may include the Commercial Accounts or Military Accounting course. These courses provide you with the basic skills necessary for the various duties you may be expected to perform, such as Disbursing Officer; Chief, Pay and Exam; Operations Officer or Central Accounting Officer.

Whether you actually handle the cash, maintain pay accounts, or accomplish the internal unit support requirements, you'll have a great deal of responsibility and work with up-to-date computer equipment. As a bright, motivated Finance Corps officer, you'll also find that the rewards are commensurate.

Infantry

The Infantry forms the nucleus of the Army's fighting strength. Its mission is to maintain a state of readiness in preparation for combat worldwide. Often described as the "best lay psychiatrist in the world", the Infantry officer must savor the challenges that come from total involvement with his soldiers. He must know his men, their problems, their needs - and get them all working together.

First and foremost, he must be a leader - a real leader.

Besides being platoon or company commanders, Infantry officers also get a taste of staff work, such as liaison officer, supply officer, etc. At higher levels, the command responsibility increases, and the Infantry officer is continually given the opportunity to attend courses and prepare for the next level of responsibility.

Infantry is one of the biggest challenges the Army can offer. Whether for one term of service or a 30-year career.

Judge Advocate General Corps

The Judge Advocate General Corps provides legal services for the Army and its soldiers. Judge advocates serve as prosecutors and defense attorneys for criminal trials under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. In addition, they practice international, operation, labor, contract, environmental, tort, and administrative law. Judge advocates also provide routine legal services for the soldier, retirees, and their families. They practice in military, state, and federal courts.

Newly commissioned judge advocates receive immediate responsibility in handling significant legal issues. They encounter a diversified, challenging and rewarding law practice stationed throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy, and in other countries.

To become a judge advocate you must be a graduate of an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school and admitted to practice before the highest court of a state or federal court. Judge advocates enter the Army as first lieutenants and are promoted to captain between 6 and 9 months later.

Army Medical Corps

The Army Medical Corps offers the kind of professional challenges that prevents a doctor's career from becoming a predictable daily routine. Patient care, teaching, research, directing a medical facility - a physician can do all this and more in the Army. And still have time for his or her personal life.

As an Army physician, you'll have an opportunity to work in some of our country's leading hospitals and medical centers: Walter Reed, Washington, D.C.; and Tripler, Honolulu, HI, to name just a few. You'll find yourself working with other physicians and support teams who are dedicated to providing patients with the best health care possible. And the Army helps to make it possible by providing the most sophisticated, high-tech equipment available.

Becoming an Army physician can benefit you in other ways, too. You'll receive 30 days paid vacation every year. Good pay. Living allowances. And you won't have malpractice premiums to pay or any overhead or startup expenses.

Medical Service Corps

The Medical Service Corps is an integral part of the Army Health Care Team. They work together with other members to provide health care services for soldiers, their families, and retirees. The Medical Service Corps is organized into four sections: Pharmacy, Supply, and Administration; Medical Allied Sciences; Optometry; and Podiatry.

This versatile Corps offers exposure to diverse areas of medicine and many excellent career opportunities.

Military Intelligence

Determining an enemy's plans, intentions, and capabilities before they're set into motion is of critical value to military leaders. This is the job of Military Intelligence (MI).

The Army must be prepared to fight outnumbered and win in a high-intensity conflict, or to defeat the shadow of guerilla insurgency in a low-intensity situation. In any scenario, Military Intelligence is of paramount importance.

With more than 30,000 members, MI is one of the largest branches in the Army. Duties include all aspects of planning, organization, training, and operations of tactical intelligence, counterintelligence, signals intelligence and electronic warfare, security, interrogation, and aerial reconnaissance and surveillance. Military Intelligence officers are engaged in fighting the "silent war" at tactical, operational, and strategic levels - collecting, analyzing and disseminating intelligence data. And the war is continuous -- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Newly commissioned officers attend the MI Officer Basic Course where they concentrate on acquiring tactical all-source intelligence, as well as basic soldiering skills. Every officer must know how to provide his future commander with the intelligence support needed to win on the battlefield, while possessing the skills and knowledge of the tactical soldier.

Military Intelligence officers work with high-tech equipment in areas such as radio communications intercept and direction-finding, computer analysis, exploitation of digital imagery, and transmission of satellite data. There is also an opportunity for extensive overseas travel.

The pressure of analyzing information, producing intelligence, and accurately predicting enemy plans and actions is a challenging and exciting job. For bright, energetic young people who want to realize their full potential, MI offers exceptional opportunities for accomplishment and advancement.

Military Police

Today's military police officer enjoys the distinction of a truly unique role in the Army by having two diverse and challenging missions. First is the ever-present need to prepare for war by leading and training combat ready military police forces in the rear area, and expedite battlefield movement of critical resources. Second is the peacetime garrison environment for law enforcement, criminal investigation, terrorism counter-action, physical security, corrections, and crime prevention. This mission focuses on the human aspects of law enforcement and reflects the military police motto - of the troops and for the troops.

Just as the Infantry is trained to conduct combat operations on the front lines, the military police corps is trained to detect and deter the enemy in the rear area, protecting command posts, communications centers, and vital resources.

As a newly commissioned officer, you'll attend the military police officer basic course. Your training will emphasize leadership, tactics, physical training, maintenance, and supply. Additional areas of study include military police operations, civil and military and communicative skills. You may also attend specialized course such as Airborne School, Air Assault School, and Ranger School.

Army Nurse Corps

An Army nurse is an officer, too. So you can expect all the privileges, prestige, and respect due any officer in the U.S. Army. Because Army medicine is practiced around the world, you're also assured of being exposed to a much wider variety of cases early in your career than a civilian nurse. And you can change hospitals without losing seniority.

The majority of your time will be spent taking care of patients, instead of doing non-nursing chores. And you'll be exposed to a range of cases which is almost impossible to duplicate in civilian nursing.

In the Army, you'll not only grow as a health care professional but as a person as well. The educational opportunities in the ANC are second to none. You may apply for clinical specialty courses in Intensive Care, Operating Room Nursing, Community Health and Environmental Science, and Psychiatric Nursing.

A BSN is needed to qualify for the Army Nurse Corps.

Ordnance Corps

The Ordnance Corps is responsible for keeping the Army's combat forces moving and shooting. Since the Ordnance Corps is the largest Corps in the Army, the opportunity to command exists at all levels. Ordnance officers command companies, battalions, arsenals, depots, groups and division and corps support commands, and routinely enjoy command and senior staff positions as one, two, and three star generals (e.g. Support Commands, Corps Support Commands, Theater Army level, AMC commodity commands, etc.).

As an Ordnance officer, you will command and lead soldiers and civilians who develop, produce, acquire and support the Army's weapons systems, ammunition, missiles, and wheeled and tracked vehicles. You will also be required to manage and maintain a diverse range of Army materiel from conventional and special ammunition to major weapon and missile systems. As a newly commissioned Ordnance officer, you'll attend the Ordnance Officer Basic Course at either the U.S. Army Ordnance Center and School or the U.S. Army Ordnance Missile and Munitions Center and School.

In order to accomplish its mission, the Ordnance Corps requires smart, articulate leaders capable of effectively managing large numbers of personnel and equipment. Ordnance officers are trained in one of the following areas: Tank/Automotive Materiel Management, Missile/Electronic Materiel Management, Munitions Materiel Management, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal. You may also have the opportunity to serve in the areas of Research and Development, Contracting and Industrial Management, and Materiel Acquisition Management.

Keeping the combat forces ready to fight is a tremendous job, which only Ordnance can accomplish.

Quartermaster Corps

Whether you're considering making the Army a career or looking for an opportunity to gain leadership and management experience, the Quartermaster Corps is for you. As the "Sustainer of the Army", the Quartermaster Corps plans and directs activities which provide soldiers with food, water, petroleum, repair parts, weapons systems, and a multitude of field services.

As a newly commissioned Quartermaster officer, you'll attend the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course. The Basic Course develops your leadership and technical skills in the three occupational specialties of the Quartermaster Corps: Petroleum Management, Materiel/Service Management, and Subsistence Management. After completing the 17-week Officer Basic Course, you'll be eligible to attend additional military schools such as Airborne School, Ranger School, and Parachute Rigger School. After completing all training you'll then be assigned to a challenging leadership position supporting combat soldiers and their systems.

As a Quartermaster officer you'll make use of the most modern equipment and technology to solve the logistical problems of today and tomorrow. With these tools, you'll create the most effective and efficient method of providing soldiers with the right items, at the right place, at the right time.

Given the Quartermaster Corps' diverse and demanding mission, you can be assured of finding yourself in a challenging and rewarding position from the very beginning. You'll have the opportunity to plan and accomplish things that your peers have only read about.

Signal Corps

The success of the Army depends largely on its ability to move, shoot, and communicate. And if you can't communicate, you can't do the other two. It's a big responsibility for the men and women who wear the crossed semaphores.

Signal Corps officers are vital members of the combined arms team. And they play a dual role. Besides being technically proficient communications-electronics officers, they also find themselves in the challenging role of combat leaders.

Training begins at the Signal Corps Officer Basic Course. Most newly commissioned lieutenants can expect a variety of assignments as platoon leaders in tactical combat signal units or as detachment commanders in signal units which operate strategic fixed station telecommunications switching centers, satellite terminals, and radio relay stations. A few who possess electrical engineering degrees are assigned to duties which involve the research and development of new communications electronics equipment, missile guidance systems, lasers, and computer hardware.

Signal officers advise commanders on the employment of cable, switching, radio, and satellite communications systems as well as command signal units at company, battalion, and brigade levels. Opportunities to serve as communications electronics staff officers are diverse and challenging with worldwide assignments at operational levels ranging from the forward edge of the battlefield to the White House Communications Agency in the nation's capital.

Keeping the Army in touch with the Army is a demanding and challenging job.

Special Forces

The distinctive green beret worn by Special Forces has become a symbol of excellence. And it takes a special kind of person to wear one. Someone who welcomes having his mental and physical capabilities tested to the limit, and beyond. Someone who doesn't think courage, honor, integrity, and pride are simply words, but a code by which to live. This is what it takes to wear the Green Beret of the Army's Special Forces units.

To be eligible, you must volunteer for airborne training and meet other stringent prerequisites. If accepted, you'll train at the JFK Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The training is tough, but you'll learn special operations skills that will enable you to fight and survive anywhere in the world. You'll also use your knowledge to teach others to do the same. If you earn the right to wear the Special Forces shoulder tab, foreign language, jungle and arctic training will follow.

Everything you learn will better prepare you to accomplish your primary missions: Foreign Internal Defense, Unconventional Warfare, Strategic Reconnaissance, Direct Action, and Counter-Terrorism.

And the day you find yourself thundering through the night sky toward the drop zone, daubed in camouflage, with two parachutes, field pack, ammunition, weapons, and protective mask, you'll know you're part of one of the most elite corps the Army has ever turned out - Special Forces.

Transportation Corps

Transportation Corps lieutenants get combat power to the right place at the right time. As a Transportation lieutenant you may serve as a train commander in Germany, or lead a major convoy in the resupply of NATO exercise. You could be charged with loading the Navy's second largest ship, the 946-foot SL-7, or be responsible for the Army's hovercraft and deploy them overseas. You might oversee the resupply of United Nations Peace Keeping Force outposts on the Sinai Peninsula, or deploy with your soldiers to Europe, Africa, or Antarctica. Transportation lieutenants make things happen.

You will lead soldiers and have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of command. You will not only master primary tactical skills - the skills to keep you and your soldiers alive in combat - but also develop proficiency in terminal, rail, tactical truck, and marine operations. Later you may compete for advanced degrees in several academic traditions and training with major U.S. corporations, as well as proceed to senior levels of responsibility. The challenge remains.

Veterinary Corps

With the Army's mechanized cavalry, you'd probably think its need for the Veterinary Corps is minimal at best. Not true. While the cavalry was assuming a new look, the Veterinary Corps was assuming new roles and responsibilities.

By virtue of education and training, the veterinarian is more than qualified to function not only in animal medicine, but in public health matters and comparative medicine, as a full-fledged member of the Army Health Care Team.

Army veterinarians are vital to the management and care of laboratory animal resources and studies, and biomedical research and development. Veterinary officers are assigned wherever food hygiene and nutritional quality, preventative medicine, or animal medicine or research is conducted.