What is the best position in the M1 Abrams?

2017-09-21T23:16:52-04:00

Wondering what the best position in the m1 Abrams is?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2017 12:30 AM

2017-09-22T00:30:48-04:00

1. Driver 2. Loader 3. Gunner or 4. Tank Commander? You should male it a survey.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Sep 22 at 2017 9:41 AM

2017-09-22T09:41:29-04:00

With me Gunner position was perfect because of my height.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2017 9:47 AM

2017-09-22T09:47:40-04:00

Inside looking in the same direction as the gun as opposed to outside staring down the barrel.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2017 10:38 AM

2017-09-22T10:38:02-04:00

Who wouldn't want to be the gunner?
Although the driver position has some allure...

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 22 at 2017 11:37 AM

2017-09-22T11:37:16-04:00

Above in a combat aircraft.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2017 11:41 AM

2017-09-22T11:41:41-04:00

I personally think the driver's position is probably the best. You're not banging elbows with anyone else while you're trying to do your job. The downside is that it's probably not the most heavily armored position in the vehicle and egressing in an emergency isn't very likely.

Response by GySgt Ariel Rabell made Sep 22 at 2017 1:42 PM

2017-09-22T13:42:45-04:00

Definitely TC

Response by SPC Anthony Schepis made Sep 22 at 2017 4:55 PM

2017-09-22T16:55:35-04:00

My favorite was gunner.

Response by SP5 Howard Moore made Sep 22 at 2017 5:39 PM

2017-09-22T17:39:46-04:00

one might say they all suck as equally bad but i would assume id rather be a TC than a loader after all isnt it better to give orders than to take them

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Sep 22 at 2017 11:28 PM

2017-09-22T23:28:31-04:00

The Tank Commander in my opinion would be the most desirable position since he is in charge of the tank crew while being the gunner has it's perks and advantages of identifying and firing rounds at targets. The driver gets to enjoy maneuvering the tank on the battlefield and has the best position for sleeping in his reclined seat and one can't argue that. As for the loader, he at least gets to stand out of his hatch for a better view when not loading rounds in the breech block for the main gun. Once you are on the tank, you will have time and experience at all positions, some more than others.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 24 at 2017 11:57 AM

2017-09-24T11:57:26-04:00

Loader definitely, you get fresh air, and only worry about the radio and slingin rounds.

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2017 11:30 AM

2017-09-27T11:30:25-04:00

Driver

Response by CPL Jon McMillen made Sep 28 at 2017 6:11 AM

2017-09-28T06:11:00-04:00

Gunner

Response by PFC George Notsoevo made Sep 28 at 2017 3:25 PM

2017-09-28T15:25:17-04:00

Gunner or TC

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Oct 5 at 2017 7:46 AM

2017-10-05T07:46:19-04:00

Driver. Everyone else is just a rider.

M1 driver's position is the most comfortable sleeping spot that has ever been invented in any tank and the best in the army next to an actual bed. It also has the best tactical view when buttoned up, others can't really see chit.Now when you're really moving it is nice to have a TC to tell you if you are about to fly off a cliff or something and to give you a general spot to head to, but besides that you really don't need anybody. Plus a driver has to stay with his tank , so the detail, guard duty,command meeting, monster can't really bite you, in the field, so you get more sleep :). Older Chrysler M1's fixed up (no gov) could do 65 or better on dirt (I only drove mine that fast once , just to see ) 1500-1800 HP. Really fun if you know what you are doing. Takes alot of work and luck to get one perfect. Gunning is boring, fun to shoot stuff( I only missed once out of about a thousand rounds-still irritates me LOL) , but the position sucks-tossed around , no idea what is going on, no room. TC 's , possible to sleep there, but not really . Same for the loader. Loading is interesting and the M240 is a riot. Suppose the M2 pintle now on the TC's is fun, but I never shot one in that set-up on a tank. Wouldn't recommend being unbuttoned on the battlefield, and in that respect the driver's position really wins. I have watched C4 sticks blow up from 30 yards away , really cool. Pretty dang safe spot to be, and can sleep there too.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Oct 5 at 2017 9:52 AM

2017-10-05T09:52:18-04:00

I was never a real Tanker (insert joke here), but was a "Baby Tanker" for a while, having done all three tasks for a Bradley crewmember; gunner, driver and Brad commander. By far, the most fun was as a driver!

Response by SSG Matt York made Oct 8 at 2017 2:00 AM

2017-10-08T02:00:31-04:00

All of them

Response by CPL Jason Goette made Oct 10 at 2017 7:44 AM

2017-10-10T07:44:12-04:00

Depends on how active you want to be. Driver is lax. Loader is busy. Gunner is/ should be focused on his job and his driver and loader. Tc is responsible for all.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2017 8:09 AM

2017-10-10T08:09:22-04:00

Gunner

Response by CPL Chuck Akin made Oct 10 at 2017 10:33 AM

2017-10-10T10:33:46-04:00

Gunner is the best no question, driver may have more room but it can be monotonous. Nothing better than "on the way!" Plus I was company commanders gunner so it was my tank for the most part!

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2017 10:31 PM

2017-10-12T22:31:24-04:00

Definitely gunner. Although driving is nice cause when you stop you can dose off.

Response by LCpl Devin Gajewski made Oct 13 at 2017 1:06 AM

2017-10-13T01:06:25-04:00

I was a driver in a Abrams when I was in the Marines that to me was fun

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 3:29 AM

2017-10-18T03:29:26-04:00

Defiantly the gunner position, at least in my unit the tank is the gunners for the most part. You run the tank, manage the crew and squeeze triggers. Tc basically just goes for a ride and tells the driver were to go.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 7:57 AM

2017-10-18T07:57:25-04:00

Tank commander's station

Response by SSG Michael Miller made Oct 18 at 2017 8:01 AM

2017-10-18T08:01:34-04:00

tank commander is the best job a man can ever have

Response by SGT Roger Wells made Oct 19 at 2017 11:31 PM

2017-10-19T23:31:01-04:00

I liked Loading, and I prided myself on being the fastest loader in the company 1.8 seconds from knee switch to door slam (took a hell of a lot of practice to get that good).
Driving was nice cuz you got to nap often.
Gunning was fun at the Range only.
And wasn’t in the Army long enough to get my own Tank. Lol

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2017 10:51 AM

2017-10-21T10:51:54-04:00

Loader

Response by SGT Whitney Payte made Oct 23 at 2017 2:06 PM

2017-10-23T14:06:26-04:00

Gunner with a close second Driver!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2017 2:14 PM

2017-10-23T14:14:45-04:00

Behind it.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Oct 24 at 2017 5:08 PM

2017-10-24T17:08:20-04:00

Outside

Response by AN Christopher Crayne made Oct 25 at 2017 8:53 PM

2017-10-25T20:53:40-04:00

Definitely gunner. At the least you can do some good work on the enemy.

Response by SGT Frank Pritchett made Oct 29 at 2017 1:15 AM

2017-10-29T01:15:25-04:00

I would say Armament or Maintenance, I was Fire Control Instrument Repair and I liked it a lot more working on the optics and lasers rather then being inside of them. I went from M-60's to the M-1, but it's great to be around them especially Tank Gunnery.

Response by SPC Lee Wilson made Oct 29 at 2017 8:43 AM

2017-10-29T08:43:23-04:00

Definitely Gunner !
Make big gun go BOOM !
However, you better be ready to perform above your echelon!

Response by SGT Andrew Morehouse made Oct 30 at 2017 12:32 AM

2017-10-30T00:32:56-04:00

Gunner

Response by CW4 Brian Haas made Oct 30 at 2017 3:27 AM

2017-10-30T03:27:06-04:00

Right side up.

Response by SPC Timothy Hager made Nov 3 at 2017 6:49 PM

2017-11-03T18:49:39-04:00

I was in the driver's seat. I liked it more than the M60 series tanks.

Response by SPC Michael Grubb made Nov 6 at 2017 7:22 PM

2017-11-06T19:22:29-05:00

gunner then driver

Response by SGT Matthew Bonebrake made Nov 12 at 2017 6:21 AM

2017-11-12T06:21:19-05:00

after being a tank commander I wanted back in the gunners seat lol

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 12 at 2017 9:23 AM

2017-11-12T09:23:36-05:00

For someone of height, gunner.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Nov 12 at 2017 3:27 PM

2017-11-12T15:27:51-05:00

The Battalion Motor Officer, They get to check it out, and gives it back to the crew to maintain and clean, load it, unload it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2017 12:32 PM

2017-11-14T12:32:05-05:00

Tank commander.

Response by SPC Manny Managuit made Nov 16 at 2017 11:50 PM

2017-11-16T23:50:12-05:00

Tank commander

Response by SGT Keith Kemp made Nov 21 at 2017 2:34 AM

2017-11-21T02:34:07-05:00

Driver or gunner

Response by CPL Nick Odle made Nov 25 at 2017 12:44 PM

2017-11-25T12:44:01-05:00

Gunner. Bc, on the way!

Response by SFC Harold Robinson made Nov 28 at 2017 12:46 PM

2017-11-28T12:46:04-05:00

I believe the gunners position is the most enjoyable.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2017 12:59 PM

2017-11-28T12:59:16-05:00

Driver, because in any other position your life is at the mercy of how much attention your driver is paying.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2017 1:29 PM

2017-11-28T13:29:25-05:00

Outside of it and behind it!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2017 10:15 AM

2017-11-30T10:15:33-05:00

Gunner for sure

Response by SP5 Mike Fedder made Dec 2 at 2017 12:23 AM

2017-12-02T00:23:31-05:00

Gunner!

Response by MSG Charles Johnson made Dec 12 at 2017 7:59 AM

2017-12-12T07:59:05-05:00

Gunner

Response by SFC Ron Shaffer made Dec 19 at 2017 4:31 PM

2017-12-19T16:31:17-05:00

As a retired tank commander. All of the positions have their pluses and minuses. I started as a driver then gunner before becoming a commander. I loaded for friends tanks from time to time. But as a commander I usually put the new guy in the loaders position because he was next to me and could learn more.

Response by SPC Chad Mulkey made Jan 1 at 2018 2:38 PM

2018-01-01T14:38:44-05:00

Driver for fun, gunner for advancement

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2018 7:13 PM

2018-01-02T19:13:37-05:00

Im curious as well (brand new to armor) which position is the best to have?

Response by CPL Gerald Martin made Jan 3 at 2018 8:10 PM

2018-01-03T20:10:01-05:00

Drivers position, best sleep

Response by SGT Robert Wagner made Jan 4 at 2018 9:03 AM

2018-01-04T09:03:41-05:00

It depends on the mission of the day. If you're doing field maneuvers, then Driver or TC.
If you're at gunnery, then either Gunner, TC, or Loader....
But they all have their perks.

Response by CPL Danny Allen made Jan 5 at 2018 8:27 PM

2018-01-05T20:27:37-05:00

Gunner

Response by SGT Patrick Reeves made Jan 6 at 2018 7:08 PM

2018-01-06T19:08:29-05:00

Driver is most comfortable

Response by SP5 Adam Lattimore made Jan 7 at 2018 12:22 PM

2018-01-07T12:22:50-05:00

Driver you get the most sleep

Response by SPC Ron Godney II made Jan 7 at 2018 8:38 PM

2018-01-07T20:38:30-05:00

I actually liked Drivers and Loaders positions. Drivers was comfy. Loaders was busy.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2018 7:08 PM

2018-01-10T19:08:56-05:00

Loaders lead the way #NotADriver

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2018 12:42 AM

2018-01-12T00:42:08-05:00

In my experience, every station has its ups and downs. Being a driver, you’re the bitch of the tank. But, you can rack out with your head on the personnel heater. As a loader, you work your ass off, but you’re the TC’s baby. As a gunner, you have the perks of actually sending rounds down range, but if you ND, get ready for a swift kick to the back of the head from the TC. The TC however, is in charge of the whole tank. It’s his tank and what he says goes. Just keep that in mind.

Response by SSG Mike Southerntier made Jan 25 at 2018 2:20 PM

2018-01-25T14:20:11-05:00

Gunner hands down

Response by SPC Chris Park made Jan 27 at 2018 10:24 AM

2018-01-27T10:24:17-05:00

I loved being a driver

Response by PVT Travis Noonan made Jan 29 at 2018 4:05 PM

2018-01-29T16:05:00-05:00

Driver

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2018 11:13 PM

2018-02-05T23:13:51-05:00

Gunner all day. Driver just get screamed at the whole time, loader is trying to melt to the wall and the TC is over seeing the madness. There is nothing like have the pressure on you for TT6, all the prep and everything else is all done so the Gunner can put steel on target

Response by SGT James (Jimmy) Crone made Mar 6 at 2018 10:43 AM

2018-03-06T10:43:04-05:00

Gunners position in my eyes is the best, I was Gunner on the commanders tank and enjoyed it until I became a tank commanders of my own tank.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 6 at 2018 10:51 AM

2018-03-06T10:51:57-05:00

As a SPC your choices would be limited- Normally Commander and Gunner are NCO's so that leaves you what- Driver, loader?

Response by CPL Sean Mcginnis made Mar 7 at 2018 9:14 PM

2018-03-07T21:14:17-05:00

Driver

Response by SPC Dennis Keaten made Mar 19 at 2018 7:36 AM

2018-03-19T07:36:35-04:00

I was a driver for the m1 abrams tank and it was a beast with the jet engine wouldn't of traded it for any other positions

Response by SSG Dwayne Delaney made Mar 25 at 2018 10:15 PM

2018-03-25T22:15:57-04:00

Gunner.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 25 at 2018 11:36 PM

2018-03-25T23:36:07-04:00

I am not a tanker but I would guess the tank commander. If you are considering being a tanker you will probably work your way up through the other positions - loader, driver and gunner before being a tank commander. Good luck!

Response by SPC Robin Colbert made Mar 30 at 2018 9:47 AM

2018-03-30T09:47:38-04:00

I loved being the master who fed the beast that spit fire and death!!!

Response by CPL Peter King made Mar 31 at 2018 10:27 PM

2018-03-31T22:27:02-04:00

Commander, means you’ve got a promotion.

Apart from that loader/operator. Driver is fun during FTX (unless you have a pack change). Gunner during gunnery camp.

On Chieftains the best place to sleep was in the drivers seat, it went fully recumbent.

Response by SP5 Howard Moore made May 1 at 2018 12:31 AM

2018-05-01T00:31:51-04:00

one that keeps you away from it lol if i got to be on it id say TC

Response by SGT Robert Wager made May 5 at 2018 3:05 AM

2018-05-05T03:05:26-04:00

Riding triggers is always the best position on any tank

Response by SGT Donald Henry made May 17 at 2018 9:52 PM

2018-05-17T21:52:54-04:00

I was a gunner in the OLD M60s for most of my 7 years. I'd take that spot any day.

Response by SSG William Hubbard made May 23 at 2018 8:08 AM

2018-05-23T08:08:17-04:00

Tank commander....

Response by SPC Michael Gentry made Sep 5 at 2018 5:00 PM

2018-09-05T17:00:55-04:00

All of them.Its all about being on that beast.

Response by SGT Timothy Strashinsky made Sep 7 at 2018 1:27 PM

2018-09-07T13:27:40-04:00

Gunner

Response by CPL Randy Brumfield made Oct 27 at 2018 8:34 PM

2018-10-27T20:34:50-04:00

Driver