Branch Orientation
The U.S Army is broken down into 18 basic branches and several other specialty branches. As a newly commissioned officer, you will be assigned to one of the following branches:
Corps of Engineers (EN)
Engineer Officer (12)
The Corps of Engineers is a multi-faceted branch which has both combat support and combat service support roles. An engineer officer can help build structures, develop civil works programs, and even provide combat support. Job duties include: Sapper (emplace demolitions, conduct reconnaissance and support maneuver units with mobility, counter mobility and survivability), Bradley (destroy, neutralize and suppress the enemy using the Bradley Fighting Vehicle), Construction (construct roads, buildings, military bases, airfields, etc.), Bridge (construct, emplace or assemble numerous bridges), Rescue (perform search and rescue operations), and Training (train the force, write new policy and research alternative engineering technology).
Infantry (IN)
Infantry Officer (11)
The Infantry officer is responsible for leading the infantry and combined armed forces during land combat. Job duties include coordinating the training and tactical employment of Infantry Soldiers at all levels of command in U.S. and multinational operations. Infantry officers’ direct operation and employment of Infantry weapons and equipment such as rifles, machine guns, mortars, hand grenades, rocket launchers, recoilless rifles, armored personnel carriers and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle.
Armor (AR)
Armor Officer (19)
Armor officers are responsible for tank and cavalry/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. Job duties include commanding the armor units and combined armed forces during land combat Directs operations and employment of tanks, armored vehicles, support infantry, and related equipment. Armor Officers direct training, administration, supply maintenance, transportation, and security activities of the unit.
Field Artillery (FA)
Field Artillery Officer (13)
The 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. Job duties include leading field artillery troops and combined armed forces during land combat and coordinating the employment of field artillery Soldiers at all levels of command. Field Artillery officers direct technical fire control and firing operations using both manual and computer techniques. Field Artillery officers participate in the planning and development of doctrine, organization, training, material, leadership, and soldier initiatives to support the field artillery’s role in comÂbined arms operations.
Air Defense Artillery (ADA)
Air Defense Artillery Officer (14)
The 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 both PATRIOT missile system and the AVENGER system. Air Defense Artillery officers coordinate and provide expertise at all levels of command and develop the doctrines and plans essential to the successful use of Air Defense Artillery weapons in support of air/land combat operations and defense against enemy aircraft and missile attacks.
Aviation (AV)
Aviation Officer (15)
Aviation officers coordinate/lead operations using Army 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. Job duties include coordinating employment of aviation Soldiers and aircraft at all levels, commanding aviation platoons, providing aviation coordination, and instructing aviation skills at service schools and combat training centers. Aviators direct and coordinate the employment of Army aviation units in support of land combat operations.
Signal Corps (SC)
Signal Corps Officer (25)
The Signal officer leads the Signal Corps, which is responsible for the Army’s entire systems of communication. Signal Corps officers plan and execute all aspects of communication on a mission and are critical to the Army’s continued success, as well as maintain the Army’s voice, data and information systems. Signal Officers direct and control units and activities involved with the application of electrical, electronics, and systems engineering and management principles, in the design, test acceptance, installation, operation, and maintenance of Signal systems, equipment, networks, and facilities.
Chemical Corps (CM)
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer (74)
A Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) 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. Chemical officers advise commanders and staff on chemical and nuclear employment, defensive actions involving chemical, biological, and radiological warfare, and plans for use of and defense against smoke and flame employment.
Military Police Corps (MP)
Military Police Officer (31)
A Military Police officer is responsible for leading the Soldiers that protect lives and property on Army Installations. Officers supervise the execution of the five military police Battlefield functions: Maneuver and mobility support operations (reconnaissance and surveillance), Area security operations (site security and response), Law & order operations (law enforcement and developing host-nation police forces), Internment/resettlement operations (military prisoners and enemy combatants), and Police intelligence operations. Military Police Officers support counterterrorism; the enforcement of military laws and regulations; keeping of order; prevention and investigation of crime, apprehension of military offenders; traffic and movement control; physical security of critical equipment, facilÂities, and the safety of Government offiÂcials. Military Police Officers also direct criminal investigations, crime surveys, protective service missions, polygraph support and criminal investigation activities.
Military Intelligence Corps (MI)
Military Intelligence Officer (35)
The Army’s Military Intelligence is responsible for all collected intelligence during Army missions. They provide essential information that often save the Soldiers fighting on front lines. Job duties include assessing risks associated with friendly/enemy courses of action and acting to counter/neutralize intelligence threats. Military Intelligence Officers specialize in these specific areas: Imagery Intelligence, All-Source Intelligence, Counterintelligence, Human intelligence, Signals intelligence/electronic warfare, and All-source intelligence aviation.
Adjutant General (AG)
Adjutant General Officer (42)
An Adjutant General officer is responsible for providing personnel support that affects Soldiers’ overall welfare and well-being, while assisting commanders by accounting for and keeping Soldiers combat ready. Job duties include acting as principal advisor to the battalion commander for all matters concerning human resource support for all assigned and attached personnel, as well as supervising all strength management/strength distribution actions. AG Officers develops and operates the Army’s personnel, administrative, and community activities support systems to build and sustain combat readiness.
Finance (FC)
Finance Officer (36)
The financial manager oversees the Army’s Finance Corps, who are responsible for sustaining missions through purchases of services and supplies. Job duties include commanding financial operations, coordinating employment of Finance Soldiers at all levels of command, and directing Army pay, commercial vendor support, disbursement of public funds, auditing, travel allowances, accounting, financial management information systems and banking. Finance offices provide administrative services in support of payment of legal obligations of the Army or collection of monies due the United States, as well as interpret financial laws and Comptroller General decisions.
Transportation (TC)
Transportation Officer (88)
The Transportation Corps is responsible for moving supplies, troops, and equipment anywhere on the globe. During war, the Transportation Corps utilizes trucks, boats, and airplanes to provide extremely fast support to the combat teams on the frontlines. Transportation officers are experts in the systems, vehicles and procedures of moving troops and supplies in the Army. Transportation Officers manage all facets of transportation related to the planning, operation, coordination, and evaluation of all methods of transportation including multi-modal systems.
Ordnance (OD)
Ordnance Officer (91)
Ordnance officers are responsible for ensuring that weapons systems, vehicles, and equipment are always ready and available — and in perfect working order. They also manage the developing, testing, fielding, handling, storage, and disposal of munitions. The Ordnance Corps is also responsible for the detection, identification, rendering safe, recovery, or destruction of hazardous U.S. and foreign munitions (EOD).
Quartermaster (QM)
Quartermaster Officer (92)
Quartermaster officers are responsible for making sure equipment, materials and systems are available and functioning for missions. More specifically, the quartermaster officer provides supply support for Soldiers and units in field services, aerial delivery, and material and distribution management. Quartermaster Officers are the primary planners for logistical support (supply and services) within the command.
Cyber Corps (ARCYBER)
Cyber Corps Officer (17)
Cyber Operations Officers coordinate and conduct integrated and synchronized offensive cyberspace operations by targeting enemy and hostile adversary activities and capabilities. Cyber branch is a maneuver branch with the mission to conduct defensive and offensive cyberspace operations (DCO and OCO). Cyber is the only branch designed to directly engage threats within the cyberspace domain.
Medical Service Corps
Medical Service Corps Officer (67)
Medical Service Corps officers command the medical service corps that treats and helps the Soldiers and their families in a variety of areas: Behavioral sciences (social workers, clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists), Health administration services, Laboratory sciences (biochemists, clinical laboratory officers, microbiologists and research psychologists), Optometry, Pharmacy, Podiatry, and Preventive medicine sciences (medical science officers, entomologists, audiologists and environmental science/engineering officers). Medical Service Officers plan for and direct health care facilities and orÂganizations. Medical Service Officers also serve as MEDEVAC pilots.
EOD Corps
EOD Officer (89)
The explosive ordnance disposal officer leads the Army's preeminent tactical and technical explosives experts. Explosive ordnance disposal officers are the culmination of the best tactical and technical training the Army and civilian academia can provide and lead organizations comprised of similar Soldiers. They are prepared to perform missions in support of Army units worldwide and across all operational environments.
Specialty Branches
Army Nurse Corps (ANC)
Nursing Corps Officer (66)
Nurse Corps officers lead a nursing team that cares for Soldiers and their families. As part of the Army Nurse Corps, Nurse, they play an important role in improving the overall quality of life for Soldiers and their families. Duties include organizing resources for patients and their families for help with inpatient, outpatient and home care and commanding shifts on a nursing unit in a field hospital or installation.