What branch should I choose upon getting commissioned?

45 years ago as a senior in college as a distinguished military student in ROTC I had my choice of branch. I chose Infantry. My father who was an Infantryman fighting the Japanese in the Pacific thought I was out of my mind. I served for 20 years, but not all in the Infantry because of some serious injuries. To this day almost 24 years since I retired I still think it was the best decision I ever made. It is a commitment not taken lightly to command soldiers whose lives depend on your decisions. Even after I branch transferred I tried to use what I learned as an Infantry officer l leading my non combat arms soldiers. One female sergeant asked me why we were doing road marches? We are only clerks. My reply was what uniform are you wearing? Do you think the enemy is going to ask you if you are a clerk and then give you a pass? Right into the next life. I tried to get them to think like the soldiers we were supporting. My goal was to train them to react to adverse situations like the one Jessica Lynch was in. Her leadership failed her and the other soldiers by training them as truck drivers but not as soldiers. As a result most of them died in a god forsaken country. Knowing what I do now with 45 years of hindsight I would still chose Infantry.

Army warrent officer

Plenty of sound advice given. Three things I've always been told are:
1. You are your best career manager
2. You know you best
3. Look into the writing (FM, DA, TM, SOP, FUN FUN)

I will say that these three tenets have allowed me to shape my career effectively. A resource I used every step of the way was DA PAM 600-3, it gives it all of it to you in writing and their developmental model shows your career timeline just in case you forget. The language is constantly changing so look for the most up to date version. As the LTC pointed out, do some soul searching, if you know that you are not about the suck, you probably shouldn't choose infantry, it's fun at times.............but it sucks. You have to do some cost analysis within yourself to determine if that branch fits you.

Even if the branch does not fit you, you still have a job and as a young LT your guys and gals understand that you won't be their for long so take the time to get qualified/certified in your branch, become familiar with what they do by getting into the TM/FM's and for you especially..................understanding NCOER's/OER's and the ERS (Evaluation Reporting System-check out DA PAM 623-3). It's fun. Understanding this we'll allow you to understand how to write your OER Support Form and the NCOER which help to make/break those NCO's careers. Again, constantly changing.

Finally, if it comes down to it, I would choose a combat branch over logistics because it allows you to have a better understanding of the big picture in the AO/AI. So if you choose do choose to V-TIP at CPT you will be a well rounded officer being on both sides of the spectrum.

Best of luck!

Infantry or bust.

I suppose I'm not going to talk you into an inter-Service transfer to the AF, so here's my opinion about the Army based on my 6 years as a DAC.

1. Follow your passion: if you have a strong personal preference for a Branch, you've already indicated Aviation, go that way. Passion for your work can conquer a lot of individual shortcomings and helps you be a better leader.
2. Follow your education: Seek an MOS closely related to your degree. If you have a degree in accounting, go with Finance. Business degree relates well to any logistic field, Supply and Transportation come to mind, but fit with Combat Arms also. Specialty degrees like Hospital Management have obvious tracks. Degrees in the social sciences including history, political science, language, sociology, psychology, or humanities may relate well to intelligence, but equally well to Combat Arms. STEM degrees will serve you well in almost any MOS, but you should consider Engineer, Combat Engineer, IT/Cyber, maintenance, transportation, supply, munitions.
3. Look for Best Pay and other Advantages: If 1 and 2 are of equal importance or just don't fit your way of thinking, look for the opportunity with the best pay, advancement opportunity, or desirable assignment locations. This option means putting your personal desires ahead of the needs of the Service sometimes, so it's difficult to completely fulfill. Officers in some MOS get extra pay. I'm sure you're familiar with flight pay and hazardous duty pay. Promotion rates for Officers in some MOS are significantly better than others, especially from Major on up. Combat Arms usually has the edge in this area. Good assignment locations depend on your definition of "good." Match MOS to installation locations and determine the Branch and MOS that has the highest probability of getting you where you want to go. For example, if you want to be assigned to Tidewater, VA, for some reason, then Transportation is a good choice.

Of course, you might choose to take all three of my recommendations and use them in whatever priority order you choose. I would recommend you use them in the order I presented them.

I wish you the best of everything in your Army Officer career. Make the best of every assignment, work hard, listen well, and lead by example of excellence and you'll succeed.

I actually find myself in agreement with Captain (P) Campos and Major Stephen Conway. Having more than one area of specialization is extremely important. I was commissioned as an infantry officer upon completion of OCS. I completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course. I served in an infantry battalion but was assigned to the HHC Support Platoon Leader and XO. I developed an expertise on the S-4 side of maneuver units. When I transferred into the USAR, I decided to acquire a secondary functional area so I completed the Transportation Officer Advanced Course and the US Army command and General Staff College. I commanded a transportation detachment for almost 3 years and then was assigned as the XO to the Headquarters Commandant of a Brigade Headquarters. When mobilized for Operation Desert Shield, I was placed on the staff of 22nd Support Command DCGTRANS as the Theater Tasking Office and served in that capacity throughout Desert Storm as well as the ceasefire campaign until I was demobilized and reverted back to reserve status.

Infantry

You don't get to choose your branch. The only exception I know if is aviation in which once you pass the tests and are selected, you're in. For the rest of us it all comes down to what the Army needs. Combat Arms branches are popular and pretty competitive but if that's where you want to be, go for it. You can also branch detail where you serve in a combat arms branch for 3 years and then move to a different branch after that. Good luck!