Army Officers, what branch did you want to go, and why? In retrospect, would you have gone with the same branch?

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:27:07 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 8:47 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:47:35 -0400

Following!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 9:17 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 09:17:39 -0400

I wanted Infantry and got it. I was very pleased and wouldn't change a thing if I had it to do over. I'm about to switch to MP but I'm glad I got the experience with the troops in one of the most traditional "Army ways" possible. Being in the Guard now, I may end up back in the Infantry at some point and that would be fine. When I was younger I thought Infantry was the ONLY branch. As I've gotten a lot older and a little wiser I can see that each branch has its part to play and all are needed. And sleeping in the rain isn't always much fun. :)

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 9:18 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 09:18:47 -0400

I wanted either MI or Cyber. I was a 35F enlisted so I was fine going back into MI as a lieutenant. Hard to say at the moment if I would do it again, as I have just started.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 9:53 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 09:53:14 -0400

I commissioned into the Army Reserve as a Quartermaster, 92A. After the Captain's Course, captains transition into logistics officers, 90A. It is not the most exciting job, which is why I am now a public affairs officer, but the skills transfer well into the civilian world and can be very lucrative. Logistics isn't as sexy as infantry, armor or artillery but none of the above can function very long without it. If your unit is authorized, you can get almost any of the high speed schools available.

Saying all that, my plan was to transition to Public Affairs. PA is a functional area and is not authorized by the active Army until after completion of CCC.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 11:07 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:07:36 -0400

I'm the son of an Army Aviator who focused on being an Armor Cavalryman after his first 7 years in the Army flying Cobras (this was during the Vietnam era, before Aviation was a Branch, and commissioned pilots were branched in another branch, but were pilots). As I decided on joining the Army during my teens, I had 17 years of seeing Dad in uniform, going to ranges, unit org days where equipment was available to play on, and living in and around those my Dad worked with. I was biased!
That said, I considered Aviation, however, it was not my dream to fly, and after talking to my father, I decided that I did not have a strong enough "itch" to make that my priority. So, what else....?
Now, I am a smart guy, cramming 4 years of college into 5 1/2 (and at 3 different schools!), so I had plenty of time to weigh my options. After all was said and done, I put Armor as #1, and was commissioned as such over 24 1/2 years ago, and have fully embraced everything that is Armor, and Cavalry!
I would do it again, and again, and again. My experiences and training as an Armor and Cavalry Leader has given me the ability to problem solve, think while on the move, and see big picture. It has opened doors to assignments that I may not have had the opportunity for otherwise: obviously all the platoon, company and battalion/squadron ones inherent for Combat Arms; Advisor for a National Guard Battalion and Brigade; Combat Advisor and Combat Advisor Instructor; Deputy Division G3; Training and Training Support/Special Troops Battalion Commander at Ft. Jackson (extremely unique); NATO Allied Land Command Exercise Planner; and Deputy to the only Strategic AG Brigade in the U.S. Army.
CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member , are you looking to become a commissioned officer? If so, best of luck and Go Armor!

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jun 15 at 2017 11:21 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:21:07 -0400

Volunteered Infantry enlisted and volunteered again when I went through OCS. Don't regret either choices. I branch transferred to the Engineers when I came to Kentucky since there was just more opportunities with the Engineer Units, I never regretted that choice either.

Response by CPT Jess Williams made Jun 15 at 2017 1:36 PM

CPT Jess Williams — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 13:36:28 -0400

I ended up branching Transportation. It was my first choice and I never regretted it. I had an amazing (and also hellish) time as a PL in a truck company. I would have enjoyed the opportunity to do a second round as a truck PL, but sadly, there were other blocks that needed checking (XO and staff time). Like Quartermaster, Transportation eventually transfers to a general logistics designation after completing CCC but that is actually a bonus when you make CPT because it can open up additional command opportunities. Most importantly, all of those Transportation and logistics skills I obtained thru the Army have translated nicely to the civilian world.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 2:00 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 14:00:02 -0400

I chose Ordnance because of two reasons: 1) I wanted to go EOD; 2) I wanted something in logistics because that's the field I wanted to work in after I leave the Army; and 3) the Arizona Army National Guard is very logistics heavy meaning plenty of room to grow and advance in.

As CPT Hignight said, logistics isn't a sexy MOS; but the skills are very translatable to the civilian sector.

Response by CPT Tom Parr made Jun 17 at 2017 1:46 PM

CPT Tom Parr — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 13:46:03 -0400

RA Commission in FA YG94...there's CA, then there is the rest of ya. Fun watching some complain about this and that...Doesn't rain inside PX Gents!

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 29 at 2020 5:29 PM

Maj John Bell — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 17:29:14 -0500

If I had been thinking of my future, and what was best for my family's financial well-being, I'd have gone into an MOS with a direct equivalent in the civilian market.

I went infantry. I even dropped an aviation guarantee. I have absolutely no regrets. Life is about more than money and financial security. I think I led a much bigger life and did so much more than many/most get the opportunity to do.