I'm planning on attending Army OCS after graduating college and was wondering what my possible duties would be as an Armor officer. What would my duties be if operating a Stryker, Abrams, Bradley, Humvee, or other vehicle?
Also, do soldiers in the Armor division often go on foot patrols and would I be as adequately trained as an Infantry officer for this?
Thanks in advance for all serious and informative answers.
2007-07-30 12:25:19 · 9 answers · asked by myyahooanswersaccount1184 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Thanks for the answers so far! To clear up any confusion, I talked to a recruiter about a year ago to find out more about OCS. At the time I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to do in the army, and I'd rather get a direct answer here than having to filter out the facts while my recruiter pressures me to enlist immediately again. As far as the duties in a vehicle, I was wondering what officers are in charge of and if they usually spend much time as a driver or gunner.
Was wondering about foot patrols and such because I had heard some other divisions such as Field Artillery do patrols and convoys.
2007-07-30 13:11:18 · update #1
As a 2nd LT you would be the assistant to the XO(1st LT) of the company you are assigned to. In the case of armor, you would have command of a tank, and a senior sergeant, either an E-6 or E-7 as your gunner, and a private E-1 to E-3 as your loader and driver.
Your duties would be mainly Command and Control. You would direct the other tanks in your platoon to take the appropriate action to complete the mission successfully. You would report to the Company commander, and if the situation dictates, the Battalion commander(Lt Col.).
Being that we are fighting with a Combined Arms Brigade mindset, its not out of the question that tankers COULD do a dimounted patrol, but it's highly unlikely....and a tanker officer to go on dismount would be unheard of. That being said, you would be trained to deal with things like IED's the same as infantry.
2007-07-30 15:41:46 · answer #1 · answered by ink_collector 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Butter bars have two jobs in any place I have ever been. First and foremost stay alive, second learn.
Most young officers will be working hand in hand with a Senior NCO. If you give that person half a chance s/he will protect you and teach you.
I asked my Lt one time where he planned to be for a half hour. He told me he was going to his office and asked it I needed to talk to him. I told him I needed to know where he was going to be. When he was out of sight I sent my crew out to do a couple of things.
A half hour later I received a call from the Lt. asking if he could leave his office. I laughed and told him it was OK.
He then told me his dad was a retired E-9 and that he had been talking to him about what I was doing. He said his dad told him that he had a good NCO that was doing a fine job protecting him and that he should let me.
The point is, he was a good troop, and would be an asset to any unit. If he had been a jerk like a Captain I knew a Senior NCO would make a call or two and the Captain would never see Major.
Enjoy the job, learn to love the men and women who work for you and always remember you need the people who work for you far more than they need you. They know their job and they can do their job; with or without you. If you earn their respect they will kill for you or die for you.
Good luck, best wishes, keep your head and other body parts down and thanks for signing up...
2007-07-30 12:52:25 · answer #2 · answered by gimpalomg 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As a young armor LT; you weill most likely be assigned to a platoon and your responsibility will be to train your men, listen to your NCOs and ensure that at the end of the day, your men get to go home and you get to go home.
You will be under a lot of scrutiny from your fellow officers as well as senior enlisted men; do not try to be a hero and try to look "cool" in front of everybody; you are nothing more than a private with lots of rank and you will have to earn your rank and prove that you can be a good leader by being a good listener and use sound judgement to accomplish your assigned missions.
2007-07-30 15:11:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
2nd Lieutenant
2016-10-17 21:11:46 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try FM 17-15 or its newer Version FM 3-20.97
2007-07-30 13:05:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to see a recruiter. You ain't doing anything til you get the right scores on the test.
SSG US Army 73-82
2007-07-30 12:55:41 · answer #6 · answered by Stand-up philosopher. It's good to be the King 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Bring your men home with all their fingers and toes and accomplish your mission.
Also listen to your NCOs. All you have to do to make 1LT and CAPT is to breath. Those are the guys that can help you get that done.
2007-07-30 12:31:37 · answer #7 · answered by Wild Ape 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Listen to your 1SG and do as you are told! You'll be OK!
2007-07-30 12:39:15 · answer #8 · answered by D. M. 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
..............
2007-07-30 12:27:40 · answer #9 · answered by ebneter_chick 1 · 1⤊ 6⤋