What are the pros and cons of branching Transportation vs. Quartermaster?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 15:58:10 -0400

I'm in the process of choosing my preferred branches prior to commissioning next year and have both TC and QM very high. Long term goal is to be a Logistics Officer, I am trying to decide the best path for me (will ADSO for either and BRADSO for Europe since I already have over 12 years active duty). Any information on the pros and cons of each side would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 4:01 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:01:28 -0400

I've been a logistics officer since 2009, it's the toughest job you'll ever hate. LOL

Endless paperwork, constantly counting and recounting stuff and dealing with idiots who somehow believe that you have a magical warehouse in your ass from which you can pull anything they need on a moments' notice....

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 4:12 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:12:51 -0400

I commissioned QM because I didn't have a applicable degree to any specific branches but I had 92 series experience while enlisted. I didn't use my training due to being in BDE HHC. I learned S3 stuff. As a logistic officer, I have had more hands on with inventory.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 4:49 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:49:30 -0400

They both end up in LG after the Captains Course. Once you are out of the Company Level it won't matter which direction you went, and if you become a Battalion Commander you will probably be responsible for both of them and more. As QM you will be expected to feed and support other units with supply needs at the last moment with surprise numbers no one planned for. As TC you will be expected to move for other units at the last moment with surprise numbers no one planned for.

Between TC or QM I'm just glad I'm not Ordinance. I would personally prefer an entire truck BURN TO THE GROUND than lose one $0.50 bullet of ammunition and have to account for it.

I also "think" a less ideal assignment would be Petrol and Water. Never mind showers and latrines, there's nothing wrong with that. HOWEVER, keeping track of FUEL and the environmental aspects, and tracking the inventory in different atmospheric conditions when it expands and contracts, and spillage.

As a QM company commander if we knocked over a stack of MRE's well, guess what, I guess we have to pick them up and stack them again. I hope no one got hurt. As a fuel point, oops we dumped 50 gallons on the ground or leaked out, here comes the EPA. Fuel companies at the end of an exercise had to plan for all fuel to be GONE!!!!!!!! If not you get a parade of LMTV's driving around in circles and generators running at full blast to charge a couple of iPhones. Supply QM could take home excess MRE's and non perishables and re-inventory them.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 6:25 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Jul 2020 18:25:50 -0400

... there's a difference?

;)

Response by CPT Thomas Monahan made Jul 16 at 2020 5:31 AM

CPT Thomas Monahan — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 05:31:27 -0400

I personally believe you get more as a QM Officer. It better grooms you for S4 and Support Ops positions. You learn supply chain, maintenance, and trans as a junior officer. I was an FA Officer with S4 experience when I branched transferred to QM. My CPTs’ Course class was one of the first “fully integrated logisticians” cycles. We were well versed in all aspects of logistics and operations. Many of us branch transfers were tracked to be S4s, G4’s and assistant Div CDRs (Support).