To all officers, what factors went into picking your branch? In retrospect, is there anything you overlooked?

SPC Reichert- in my opinion your branch picks you instead of you selecting a branch. For example, I was ROTC, Branch Detail from Quartermaster to Infantry. I think the COLs provided the best answer though. Pick a branch with a wide promotion potential. Some branches are like a triangle with few officers at the top. Aviation for example. If you want to fly rotary aircraft then go Warrant Officer. Other branches like Sustainment (QM, OD, TC, AG, MSC) have an inverted triangle structure with few junior positions but numerous 0-5, 0-6 positions. The key is to immerse yourself in whatever branch you get. Become the subject matter expert in your field. Last piece of advice is in whatever you decide- go Joint. The job possibilities and locations where you will serve are endless in the joint environment. Best of luck.

I was a ROTC G2G product. I thought I was going to go back into the Infantry. Aviation sounded cool so I t was my first choice. It turned out to be an ev n better choice when I got to flight school and found out we get flight pay! While it was great getting to fly and getting extra pay the novelty soon wore off at CPT when you don’t really get to fly much. I switched to Military Intelligence and that was really interesting. Cyber is cool too. So I’m cyber but still use my intel skills.

SPC (Join to see) First is was based on what my enlisted MOS was at first and then it was based on the needs of the Army. It's harder to make branch transfers these days, but it wasn't in 1983. I stared in the AG Branch because I was involved in administration and records as an SSG/E-6, btu then there was an ooportunity to take command of a Medical company, so I went to the MSC Advance Course. Thsi medical comapny was part of a Forward Support Command, so requested the Logistics/Supply Advance Course and then the rest is history. You have to decide before you go to OCS what branch you want to be in. If you're taking a direct commission with your education, then you it will most likely follow your current MOS or your degree. Not sure what direction your going in, but pick something has career progression and available positions all the way up through Colonel/O-6. Just my two cents Philip!