Posted on Oct 20, 2021
Torn between branching FA or Armor. Any insights on the two?
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I’m a CDT and I will be commissioning this June. We just received our branch preference results back, and my top two choices (FA and AR) both put me as “most-preferred.” I’m completely torn between the two, and I only have a couple days to make a decision on my #1 choice. Does anyone have any insight on the branches (positives and negatives) that might help me decide? Thank you!
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
It seems to me that at this point the choice needs to be all about your goals and your expectations for what you want to do and accomplish by serving in the Army. Are you envisioning an Army career or is the Army a brief detour on your way to other life goals? How do your see yourself interacting with peers, subordinates, and superiors? And what ideas do you have about what life as a 2LT will be (to be blunt many cadets considering IN, AR or FA, view themselves as some sort of action hero figure and are subsequently disappointed to learn that it is mostly tedious paperwork and administrivia.)
If your military service is primarily a detour between college and your real life, I would agree totally with SFC Michael Hasbun. If you are looking towards a military career, these branches offer both opportunities and challenges.
I will acknowledge that I have nearly zero knowledge about what life would be in FA. My career was as an Armor NCO. I can't comment on what a 2LT does in FA -- I don't think I ever saw one.
I did spend a few months as an tank Platoon Leader - not as a Platoon Sergeant inheriting a platoon briefly in the absence of an officer, but actually arriving in a unit to take over a platoon as Platoon Leader. I hated that job, but probably for reasons that wouldn't be relevant to you.
I shouldn't need to tell you that both AR and FA are branches that only recently opened to women and are still overwhelmingly male. I do mention it because the Army is very different from the college ROTC environment - even the summer ROTC training is carefully orchestrated. In either branch, you will be quite visible and noticed. And, yes, in both branches there will be people who doubt your ability just based on being female. We are still years away from the point where you would be Just-Another-Officer in either branch. If that kind of visibility and scrutiny bothers you, these branches may not be a good fit.
Both are also branches where physical strength is expected - and occasionally essential. Although officers don't routinely do much physical work in any branch, there are occasions when an Armor officer needs to actually perform as part of the tank crew - your life and the lives of three other tankers may well depend on it.
If your military service is primarily a detour between college and your real life, I would agree totally with SFC Michael Hasbun. If you are looking towards a military career, these branches offer both opportunities and challenges.
I will acknowledge that I have nearly zero knowledge about what life would be in FA. My career was as an Armor NCO. I can't comment on what a 2LT does in FA -- I don't think I ever saw one.
I did spend a few months as an tank Platoon Leader - not as a Platoon Sergeant inheriting a platoon briefly in the absence of an officer, but actually arriving in a unit to take over a platoon as Platoon Leader. I hated that job, but probably for reasons that wouldn't be relevant to you.
I shouldn't need to tell you that both AR and FA are branches that only recently opened to women and are still overwhelmingly male. I do mention it because the Army is very different from the college ROTC environment - even the summer ROTC training is carefully orchestrated. In either branch, you will be quite visible and noticed. And, yes, in both branches there will be people who doubt your ability just based on being female. We are still years away from the point where you would be Just-Another-Officer in either branch. If that kind of visibility and scrutiny bothers you, these branches may not be a good fit.
Both are also branches where physical strength is expected - and occasionally essential. Although officers don't routinely do much physical work in any branch, there are occasions when an Armor officer needs to actually perform as part of the tank crew - your life and the lives of three other tankers may well depend on it.
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2LT (Join to see)
MSG Currie, I know it has been a while since you responded, but I just regained access to my account and wanted to thank you for taking the time to provide your insight and advice. I appreciate your acknowledgment of some of the challenges I may face, especially as a female in combat arms. Recently I've been fortunate enough to gain a few female FA mentors who have given me a look into their experiences and it has helped me prepare for that aspect
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Wow ! Those are two good ones. I've been both. Commissioned as a tanker at Fort Knox a long time ago. I absolutely loved that. My dream sheet included Germany, and that's where I served the bulk of my active duty. Sadly, my old base is now closed. When my active duty commitment was completed I joined a Reserve Mech Arty Brigade here in Chicagoland (nearest tankers were in Michigan). I was assistant S2, so my direct reports were clerical, not artillerymen. I did get my own helicopter though ! Brutal honesty, neither did my hearing any favors. Can't really wear ear protection and be a good commander. And frankly, I'm a bit jealous of my much younger counterparts that got to use the Abrams in "anger". My tank was an M60. So, I cast my vote for Armor. Nothing like being part of a highly trained crew, or being a platoon leader or higher in a tank unit. Best wishes on your choice Mia !
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2LT (Join to see)
Sir, thank you for your response! I apologize for not being able to respond until now - nearly 3 months later. I had technical difficulties with my account and lost the ability to reply to any posts until it got fixed today. I was able to see some of the replies I received, and was relieved to see you say that they were both good options! Thank you again for taking the time to help me with my decision.
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