Posted on Nov 30, 2018
Can anyone offer any details about specific branches as an officer?
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I am currently waiting to attend OCS this spring with the N.Y. National Guard. I am trying to do some research and decide what I want to try and branch. (Yes, I know it is ultimately up to the Army, but it seems to be that National Guard has a little more leeway. Hopefully I can find a slot in a unit.) Anyways, originally all I ever wanted to branch was Infantry, but recently I have become very interested in Aviation, Armor, and Engineer. Does anyone have any details about these branches? What was BOLC like, how is your family life, how are the deployments, what does a typical day look like, etc. I would love answers from Avtive Duty guys as well because that could ultimately be in the future way down the road for me. Thanks I’m advance!
11A: Infantry Officer
15A: Aviation Officer
19A: Armor Officer
12A: Engineer Officer
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 9
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2LT (Join to see) you have a lot here to peel back. If you go state OCS you'll be in the guard. Active duty 'down the road' will be increasingly more difficult. Not impossible, just difficult. Your degree may play a part in this, especially for engineer branch.
Its a little short sighted to base your decision on BOLC. It's 6 months (aviation will be 18 months because of flight school), then you will be back in your unit and your civilian community. Your family life will be your family life while in the Guard except for your AT and drills. Mobilization and deployment will be it's own animal.
Aviation has a more extensive selection process, medical and SIFT included.
Finding a unit vacancy will likely drive the decision.
https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/how-do-i-choose-an-army-branch-a-framework
Its a little short sighted to base your decision on BOLC. It's 6 months (aviation will be 18 months because of flight school), then you will be back in your unit and your civilian community. Your family life will be your family life while in the Guard except for your AT and drills. Mobilization and deployment will be it's own animal.
Aviation has a more extensive selection process, medical and SIFT included.
Finding a unit vacancy will likely drive the decision.
https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/how-do-i-choose-an-army-branch-a-framework
How do I choose an Army Branch?: A Framework | RallyPoint
The purpose of this article is to address one of the biggest Rally Point questions among Army ROTC Cadets: I am a with a major in , which branch should I choose? One of my goals is to help you filter through what you will get back. After all, don’t we all turn to the nameless, faceless internet trolls to determine our future? The immediate challenge is that the people responding are well intentioned but generally don’t know you from Adam....
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I am in the NY Guard in Aviation. I know they are short pilots right now. But it takes more planning than other branches. So you'll want to get your SIFT done ASAP and try to do the flight physical at Fort Benning. I would also contact your strength manager about the next board date and what you need for the packet. Make sure you have a LOR from a Senior Aviator. If you choose to branch aviation just be prepared. Also it is hard to find a site that administers the SIFT, I heard Ft. Hamilton's system is down. Just a heads up. In the Guard there is more of a time commitment for an aviator. Flight school is 18 months, and you have to keep up with flight minimums when you get back. It is much easier to branch Armor or Engineer because you only have to attend BOLC. So if you decide to go aviation make sure you are up for the commitment.
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2LT (Join to see)
Yes, typically Guard OCs have branched before they go to OCS. It would be a good idea to start preparing your packet now if you serious about aviation. Your OSM should know if the LTC's letter would work. I am not sure if they have to be current in the military. A senior aviator is based on flight time, so he most likely meets that criteria. I would double check. Active or Guard shouldn't matter. If you get the physical at Benning, you will need a memo from your unit. I only suggest that because it was easier than trying to get it done in NY. West Point might be able to. As far as commitment, the board takes it very seriously. They invest a lot and you sign a new 6 year contract. Be prepared to prove you are ready to stick it out. Also helps if you know you like to fly. I would suggest doing a discovery flight at least, if you don't already have any hours. Hope this helps, I know how difficult it is to find this info. LMK if you have more questions.
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2LT (Join to see)
I forgot to mention, the wait time to go to flight school can take up to a year. So that is also a factor for your civilian job. However, you can get a shortfall, and go earlier.
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2LT (Join to see)
Wow, this is some good info. I appreciate all of this. I think taking a discovery flight is something I should probably do. My father in law is a pilot, so I may look into that with him. At what point does your new 6 year contract kick in? From the point you graduate flight school, or after you go through the boards and prepare to go? Also, when you say the wait time is up to a year, is that to get into BOLC or is that wait after you have completed BOLC/Dunker/SERE and are waiting just for flight school?
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2LT (Join to see)
2LT (Join to see) The new contract starts after you graduate. The year wait is to go to SERE>Flight school>BOLC. You may or may not have bubbles in between schools. From what I’ve heard they’re not doing dunker anymore. Some people do wait up to a year but some go right away. I would just be prepared to wait. Even after OCS I had to wait a few months for the board. Which is held twice a year in Albany around June or November.
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Pay attention during OCS you will learn about each of the branches. Read, study, pray and go with what your heart is telling you
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2LT (Join to see)
Yes sir, definitely a good idea. My wife and I have come to realize that a lot of it is simply praying and trusting God to lead us in the right direction.
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Talk to your state’s Officer Strength Manager. They slot officers into the state’s National Guard units. They will k ow the vacancies for each officer branch and how you need to apply or compete for them. They may be able to link you up with officers in those branches which is probably better than anything you get on here.
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If you go engineer branch, there will be a lot of problem solving with math (not like an engineering degree). You don’t have to be a math wizard, but you should be comfortable working with formulas (they will provide).
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2LT (Join to see)
Thank you for the info sir! I am actually a civil engineer on the civilian side, so math/formulas shouldn’t be too bad.
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COL David Turk
2LT (Join to see) - if you’re a civil engineer, then you’ll have no problem with the engineer basic course (unless you can’t read a map). The physical side should be no more demanding than most other basic courses. As for other courses, there was a specialized “topo” course you could take after the basic course.
Very important! Make sure you have engineer buttons on your class “A’s” when you report to the EN basic course.
Very important! Make sure you have engineer buttons on your class “A’s” when you report to the EN basic course.
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Well Buddy, I have served in the Army for 32 years across 4 decades and 5 branches as an enlisted guy and an Officer and there is not enough space here to answer your question. I can give you answers on Armor / Infantry / Combat Engineer / Cavalry Scout / Air Defense Artillery Hit me with an email and we will talk, I will send you my phone number via email and you can call me, this is a discussion best held via face-to-face but phone will have to do. I work as a contractor on Ft. Lewis now that I'm Retired so I'm on LEFT coast time. My email is [login to see]
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My advice to you in prioritizing your branch wish list is pick a branch that will help you retire into a great civilian job if you plan on a second career.
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Each branch has its perks, so it's up to you to figure out what you want to do. Things to consider;
-What kind of degree are you getting?
-What do you want to do as a civilian?
-What do you love doing?
Answering these three questions will help you decide which branch is the best for you.
Keep in mind that Aviation has a different qualification process, and they are highly selective.
In order to qualify for Aviation, you will have to pass a flight physical, pass their flight aptitude test, and interview with a unit (even in the National Guard). However, don't let this deter you if this is what you want. Good luck!
-What kind of degree are you getting?
-What do you want to do as a civilian?
-What do you love doing?
Answering these three questions will help you decide which branch is the best for you.
Keep in mind that Aviation has a different qualification process, and they are highly selective.
In order to qualify for Aviation, you will have to pass a flight physical, pass their flight aptitude test, and interview with a unit (even in the National Guard). However, don't let this deter you if this is what you want. Good luck!
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