armor officer questions

I recently got accepted into a college that has a good ROTC program and I'm already enrolled in the course. I just have a few questions about branching armor

I've always thought about branching infantry but it seems like armor is much less requested. I'm also on the shorter side (5'6) so maybe that'll give me an advantage for fitting into tanks or something haha. As an armor officer what do you find yourself doing? Like do you actually drive tanks or man the guns? And is it only strictly tanks? What other vehicles do you guys use?

Louis1995 said:

I recently got accepted into a college that has a good ROTC program and I'm already enrolled in the course. I just have a few questions about branching armor

I've always thought about branching infantry but it seems like armor is much less requested. I'm also on the shorter side (5'6) so maybe that'll give me an advantage for fitting into tanks or something haha. As an armor officer what do you find yourself doing? Like do you actually drive tanks or man the guns? And is it only strictly tanks? What other vehicles do you guys use?

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While Infantry is one of the more competitive branches, Armor is still very competitive.

As to the duties of the officers, you will have the opportunity to learn more as your time in ROTC progresses. It is waaaay too early to get yourself hooked on one branch (exceptions for nurses of course).

There are questions similar to yours asked about Aviation as well (flying helos) on this forum and many folks are surprised to find out that you don't get to fly for too many years. My advice here is not to get thinking about driving a tank for too many years and understand the job of the officer is to lead the men who operate these pieces of equipment (although you will be qualified in the equipment you are responsible for). This is more about organizing the mission than executing the mission.

Congratulations on your prospects and enjoy the journey.

I'd say Armor is second, right behind Infantry. In terms of least requested combat arms, it would probably be Air Defense Artillery.

Old time poster here, take this with a grain of salt, and throw it in the garbage can after you read it.

You have yet to start ROTC. In the next few yrs you will learn all about each field.

Right now, place all of that aside. You have 4 yrs in front of you, BUT IMPHO, after 5 yrs here, what my true concern if I were you is not 4 yrs in front of you, but the PFT 4 months from now.

Every yr. @ Aug/Sept this board is littered with cadets/mids that busted the PFT.

Instead of logging on here for the heck of it, or curiosity of daydreams becoming a reality, work out physically so on day one you shine at your det.

Our DS was a PT instructor, and later on in the command in AFROTC. He always said from an insider position that the beginning you all are called by your last name. Be the last in the run, our DS was screaming Cadet Whatever move it. Cadet Whatever's name was being broadcasted to all of the cadets to hear. Don't do push-ups or sit ups in their correct form they are yelling at you, using your last name. You don't want them to know your name that way.

Take it or leave it, use the forum to look at old threads about how that PFT matters in the 1st weeks of school. Remember you can't have that career dream if you don't survive AROTC.

JMPO.

Good luck. Thank you for wanting to defend this great nation.

Louis1995 said:

I recently got accepted into a college that has a good ROTC program and I'm already enrolled in the course. I just have a few questions about branching armor

I've always thought about branching infantry but it seems like armor is much less requested. I'm also on the shorter side (5'6) so maybe that'll give me an advantage for fitting into tanks or something haha. As an armor officer what do you find yourself doing? Like do you actually drive tanks or man the guns? And is it only strictly tanks? What other vehicles do you guys use?

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Have you been able to discontinue taking Prozak since last October. This will be the larger issue you will be dealing with, you will have to have gone at least on year without the medication, even then you will require a waiver. Have you talked to the Cadre for the ROTC program at your school about this, they will be the best ones to give you advice regarding the waiver process.

Since you are not on scholarship you have the first 2 years to take ROTC without obligation or having to pass Dodmerb. To be allowed to continue to your junior year in ROTC you will need to clear Dodmerb, the sooner you talk to the carde and make a clear plan the better.

Right now this should be your main concern. As others have said you will have plenty of time to research all the branches.

Best of luck with your first year of college and ROTC.

Louis1995 said:

I recently got accepted into a college that has a good ROTC program and I'm already enrolled in the course. I just have a few questions about branching armor

I've always thought about branching infantry but it seems like armor is much less requested. I'm also on the shorter side (5'6) so maybe that'll give me an advantage for fitting into tanks or something haha. As an armor officer what do you find yourself doing? Like do you actually drive tanks or man the guns? And is it only strictly tanks? What other vehicles do you guys use?

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Maybe more comfortable being in an armored vehicle, but I don't see any advantage. As an officer, you will be the vehicle commander, not driver, not gunner. Other than exceptions, the only time you will drive tank or be a gunner will be when you are doing your officer basic traininig as an Armor officer. My West Point roommate was 6 ' 4." He loved being a tanker. Some armor (cavalry) units have Bradley Fighting Vehicles.

+1 to Jcleppe.

If you know or think there is a DoDMERB issue that should be your number 1 priority right now.


Cliche, but true. Don't put the cart before the horse.

Right now, your hurdles will be short term. There is more than enough time to decide in 3 yrs. You will be in a det where for 3 yrs you will see cadets graduate and also go through their thought process of why selecting their branch.

Don't get tunnel vision.

Focus on your short-term goals, and you'll eventually accomplish your long-term goals.

Thank you all for the great advice. I talked to my doctor and got off the Prozac about 7 months ago. I just really hope I don't have to get a waiver since I'd be off the meds for 2 years by the time I contract.. And in regards to preparing for the PT, im feeling pretty confident. Although wrestling season has ended, I've still been benching and doing pushups/pull ups. I'm also gonna start running a good amount during the summer

Louis1995 said:

Thank you all for the great advice. I talked to my doctor and got off the Prozac about 7 months ago. I just really hope I don't have to get a waiver since I'd be off the meds for 2 years by the time I contract.. And in regards to preparing for the PT, im feeling pretty confident. Although wrestling season has ended, I've still been benching and doing pushups/pull ups. I'm also gonna start running a good amount during the summer

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Concentrate your energy on those things and you'll have a great start.

Best of luck.