The Best Career Paths for an Army Officer

The Best Career Paths for an Army OfficerThe Best Career Paths for an Army OfficerA branch is a grouping of officers making up an arm or service of the Army. Officers are accessed upon commissioning into a single branch. Throughout their company grade years, it where they are assigned, developed and promoted. In their fifth and sixth year, they may receive a functional area designation within the branch. Special Forces is the only nonaccession branch, recruiting officers with a minimum of three years of experience from the accession branches. Officers serve their first eight to 12 years developing the leadership and tactical skills associated with their branch. They wear their branch insignia throughout theirmilitary service. All career branches are in the Operations Career Field. Assignments for Army Officers Most officers will serve in positions from within their basic branch through their company grade years. Some officers will serve in a functional area or generalist position s that are not related to a specific branch or functional area after they are branch qualified as captains. Following the Career Field designation, officers are assigned to positions within their Career Field (basic branch or FA) or generalist positions. This font of assignment pattern promotes assignment stability and development within a branch or functional area. Functional Areas for Army Officers A functional area is a grouping of officers by technical specialty or skill, which usually requires significant education, training, and experience. An officer receives his or herfunctional areabetween the fifth and sixth years of service. It is designated considering individual preference, academic background, the manner of performance, training, and experience, and needs of the Army. Below is a listing of the Branches and Functional Areas for Army officers Branch 11InfantryThe infantry officer is responsible for leading the infantry and combined armed forces during land combat.Thi s branch includes the 11A Infantry Officer. Branch 12korporation of EngineersAn engineer officer is responsible for providing full support to the wide range of engineering duties in the Army. They can help build structures, develop civil works programs and even provide combat support. This branch includes 12A Engineer12B Combat Engineer (del 1310 / 1110 - 14)12D Facilities/Contact Construction Management Engineer (FCCME) (del 1310 / 1110 - 14) Branch 13Field ArtilleryThe field artillery officer leads the field artillery branch, who neutralizes the enemy by cannon, rocket, and missile fire. The officer must be an expert in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the employment of fire support systems.This branch includes the 13AField Artillery Officer. Branch 14Air Defense ArtilleryThe air defense artillery officer leads the air defense artillery branch, who protects U.S. forces from aerial attack, missile attack, and enemy surveillance. They must be an expert in tactics, techniques, and procedures for the employment of air defense systems. They also become an expert in one or more systems including the PATRIOT missile system andthe AVENGER system. This branch includes the 14A Air Defense Artillery Officer. Branch 15AviationAviation officers coordinate/lead operations usingArmy helicopters OH-58 Kiowa,UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook, and the AH-64 Apache. These operations can haul troops and carry supplies, as well as provide quick-strike and long-range target engagement. This branch includes 15A Aviation-General15B Aviation Combined Arms Operations15C Aviation All-surce Intelligence Branch 18Special ForcesThe Special Forces officer is the kollektiv leader of an operational detachment alpha, a highly trained 12-man team that is deployed in rapid-response situations. The officer organizes the mission, outfits the team, and debriefs them on the mission objective. This branch includes the 18A Special Forces Officer. Branch 19ArmorArmor officers are responsible for tank and cavalry or forward reconnaissance operations on the battlefield. The role of an armor officer is to be a leader in operations specific to the armor branch and to lead others in many areas of combat operations. This branch includes 19A Armor, General19B Armor19C Cavalry Branch 25Signal CorpsThe signal officer leads the Signal Corps, which is responsible for the Armys entire systems of communication. Officers plan and execute all aspects of communication on a mission and are critical to the Armys continued success. 25A Signal, General Branch 27Judge Advocate Generals CorpsThe ArmyJudge Advocate Generals Corpsattorney is responsible for offering legal support that involves military operations. They primarily focus on the areas of criminal law,legal assistance, civil or administrative law, labor/employment law, international/operational law and contract or fiscal law. This branch includes 27A Judge Advocate, General27B Military Judge Branch 31Military PoliceAmilitary assekuran zpolice officeris responsible for leading the Soldiers that protect lives and property on Army Installations. This branch includes the 31A Military Police Officer. Branch 35Military IntelligenceThe Armys military intelligence is responsible for all collected intelligence during Army missions. They provide essential information that often saves the Soldiers fighting on front lines. This branch includes 35D All-Source Intelligence35E Counter Intelligence (CI)35G Signals Intelligence/Electronic Warfare (SIGINT/EW) Branch 36Financial ManagementThe financial manager is in charge of the Armys Finance Corps, who are responsible for sustaining missions through purchases of services and supplies. This branch includes the 36A Financial Manager. Branch 37Psychological OperationsPsychological operations officer conducts operations to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences. Psychological Operations leaders lead from the front and adjust to dynamic environments that are c onstantly changing and challenging. This branch includes 37A Psychological Operations37X Psychological Operations, Designated Branch 38Civil Affairs (AA AND USAR)Civil affairs officers act as a liaison between the Army and civilian authorities and populations. This branch includes 38A Civil Affairs (AA and USAR)38X Civil Affairs, Designated Branch 42Adjutant General CorpsThe Adjutant General Corps officerplans,develops and operates the Armys personnel, administrative, and community activities support systems to build and sustain combat readiness. This branch includes 42BHuman Resources Officer42CArmy Bands42H Senior Human Resources Officer Branch 56ChaplainThe Army chaplain has the responsibility of caring for the spiritual well-being of soldiers and their families. 56A Chaplain56D Clinical Pastoral Educator56XChaplain Candidate Branch 60, 61, 62Medical CorpsThe Medical Corps is composed exclusively of commissioned officers who have a degree of Doctor of Medicine from medical school or Doctor of Osteopathy from osteopathic school acceptable to HQDA. This branch includes 60A Operational Medicine60B Nuclear Medicine Officer60C Preventive Medicine Officer60D Occupational Medicine Officer60F Pulmonary Disease/Critical Care Officer60G Gastroenterologist60H Cardiologist60J Obstetrician and Gynecologist60K Urologist60L Dermatologist60M Allergist, Clinical Immunologist60N Anesthesiologist60P Pediatrician60Q Pediatric Sub-Specialist60R Child Neurologist60S Ophthalmologist60T Otolaryngologist60U Child Psychiatrist60V Neurologist60W Psychiatrist61A Nephrologist61B Medical Oncologist/Hematologist 61C Endocrinologist61D Rheumatologist61E Clinical Pharmacologist61F Internist61G Infectious Disease Officer61H Family Medicine61J General Surgeon61K Thoracic Surgeon61L Plastic Surgeon61MOrthopedic Surgeon61N Flight Surgeon61P Physiatrist61Q Radiation Oncologist61R Diagnostic Radiologist61U Pathologist61W Peripheral Vascular Surgeon61Z Neurosurgeon62A Emergency Physician62B Field Surgeon Branch 63Dental CorpsThe Dental Corps is a special branch of the Army composed of commissioned officers who are graduates of a dentalschool accredited by the American Dental Association and acceptable to the Surgeon General. This branch includes 63A General Dentist63B Comprehensive Dentist63D Periodontist63E Endodontist63F Prosthodontist63H Public Health Dentist63K Pediatric Dentist63M Orthodontist63N Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon63P Oral Pathologist63R Executive Dentist Branch 64Veterinary CorpsThe Veterinary Corps (VC) consists exclusively of commissioned officers who are qualified doctors of veterinary medicine. This branch includes 64A Field Veterinary Service64B Veterinary Preventive Medicine64C Veterinary Laboratory Animal Medicine64DVeterinary Pathology64E Veterinary Comparative Medicine64F Veterinary Clinical Medicine64Z Senior Veterinarian (IMMATERIAL) Branch 65Army Medical Specialist CorpsThe Medical Specialist Corps is made up of clinical dieticians, physical th erapists, occupational therapists, and physicians assistants. This branch includes 65AOccupational Therapy65BPhysical Therapy65C Dietitian65DPhysician Assistant65X Specialist Allied Operations Branch 66Army Nurse CorpsThe Army Nurse Corps provides the nursing care and services essential to the mission of the Army Medical Department. Responsible for all facets of nursing relating to the planning, management, operation, control, coordination, and evaluation of all nursing practices. This branch includes 66B Army Public Health Nurse66C Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse66E Perioperative Nurse66F Nurse Anesthetist66G Obstetrics and Gynecol66H Medical-Surgical Nurse66N Generalist Nurse66P Family Nurse Practitioner66R Psychiatric/Behavioral Health Nurse Practitioner (add 1304 / 1110 - 13)66W Certified Nurse Midwife (add 1304 / 1110 - 12) Branch 67Medical Service CorpsFrom medical fields such as optometry and podiatry to laboratory sciences to behavioral sciences, the Army Medical Service Corps includes many areas of specialty. This branch includes 67AHealth Services67B Laboratory Sciences67C Preventive Medicine Sciences67D Behavioral Sciences67E Pharmacy67F Optometry67G Podiatry67JAeromedical Evacuation Branch 74Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN)A Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear officer commands the Army branch that specifically defends against the threat of CBRN weapons and Weapons of Mass Destruction. These officers lead an extraordinary chemical unit that is completely dedicated to protecting our nation. This branch includes the 74A Chemical, Biological,Radiological and Nuclear(CBRN) Officer. Branch 88Transportation CorpsThe Transportation officer manages all facets of transportation related to the planning, operation, coordination, and evaluation of all methods of transportation including multi-modal systems. This branch includes 88A Transportation-General. Branch 90LogisticsLogistics Corps Officers are competent in planning an d directing multi-functional logistical operations across the tactical, operational and strategic spectrum of logistical functions of maneuver sustainment. This branch includes 90A Logistics. Branch 91OrdnanceOrdnance officers are responsible for ensuring that weapons systems,vehicles,and equipment are ready and available, and in perfect working order, at all times. They also manage the developing, testing, fielding, handling, storage and disposal of munitions. This branch includes the 91A Maintenance Munitions Materiel Officer. Branch 92Quartermaster CorpsThe quartermaster officer provides supply support for Soldiers and units in field services, aerial delivery, and material and distribution management. This branch includes 92A QuartermasterGeneral.