What would you recommend to someone with a finance/economics degree and trying to become an officer (which branch of service and what job)?

PVT Angelo Velez — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 21:36:11 -0500

This specific person finished their finance and economics degree with a concentration in being a financial analyst in two and a half years (January 2016 to May 2018). Where do you think he/she would be placed best to where he/she would be most effective/suited in the military based off of the degree?

Response by SFC George Smith made Jan 31 at 2017 9:37 PM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 21:37:52 -0500

Admin field a Finance and accounting Officer...

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jan 31 at 2017 9:51 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 21:51:57 -0500

I started out with a finance degree in 1988 and found my two computer language courses led to Army Signal and 30 years in software development.
You will bring a business view to the technical analysis that will help customers make decisions on what technology to invest in and areas to automate.
If I was starting again, I would lean heavy to cyber security. There are more jobs than people and the Army can't wait to train you.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2017 9:55 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 21:55:41 -0500

PVT Angelo Velez The person in question will not finish their degree program until May of this year. Without more information, it is hard to give good advice. My recommendation is to look at and research the websites for all of the branches to see if something looks attractive. An administrative/personnel career would certainly be an option. Below are the Marine Corps Officer MOS job descriptions.

https://www.thebalance.com/marine-corps-officer-job-descriptions-3356582

Marine Corps Officer Career Options

Job descriptions and qualifications for Marine Corps commissioned officer and warrant officer jobs.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2017 9:57 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 21:57:37 -0500

Someone with a finance/economics degree? where they would fit best? I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest the Finance Corps

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 31 at 2017 10:04 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 22:04:39 -0500

I'd check out the logistics side of the varied services. Military procurement, contracting officers, etc. will always be in demand. That springboards for life after MIL into similar work for the Feds or on the staff of a commercial firm doing work for the Government.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 31 at 2017 10:08 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 22:08:34 -0500

People will blurt out Finance. Army Finance has NOTHING to do with Finance. Business finance is the acquisition of capital to fund projects And future operations (the G35 of money). The Army obtains its funds from a Byzantine process called the POM "Program Objective Memorandum", which is allegedly an articulation of requirements which looks eerily like your last year's budget plus or minus 10%. When times get tough, they cut it in half. That all goes up to OMB and becomes a DoD level budget. The executive branch puts together the budget, which the Congress votes on and turns into a law as either an Omnibus (many things) or if we are lucky, a National Defense Authorization Act for that FY. Law says it has to be complete and in the can in the May before the FY starts 1OCT each year. Last 20 years, that has been rare with very late budgets and continuing resolutions where the DoD is supposed to trundle along without exceeeding the last previously appropriated level. We don't acquire capital at a cost (corporate finance), except in some very rare MWR situations, which you will usually generally always never see.

What my FI officers did was cost accounting (the G33 of money, current ops). They did cash disbursements (to people or commercial vendors doing business with the Army). Moved money around between compatible accounts (within an appropriation), processed FLIPLs and took people's money, fixed people's pay and allowances in the archaic DFAS system, managed a unit's budget, built budgets based on unit requirements, passed the days financial transactions for requisitions (ZPass) and scoured the system for unliquidated obligations in GFEBS (money we didn't spend but we really spent). End of FY close out takes about 6weeks of your life every year. Certainly work worth doing. These officers were very important to me because vision without resources is hallucination. It is not snapping necks and cashing checks of corporate finance.

If you have an economics degree consider the concept of an FA 59 officer, strategist, and doing something else until you can go to the Career Field Designation Board. Acquisition is another option. Finance is also an option, just understand what you will be doing. Any of the Sustainment branches could use your skills. I know an Economist that has been an Army Engineer for 24 years. Your skills, knowledge, attributes, and desires could be leveraged in any basic branch. You do combat arms and then designate a career field at Captain.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2017 11:39 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 31 Jan 2017 23:39:29 -0500

PVT Angelo Velez You are listed as a civilian when you are actually in the Army National Guard. Below is information on changing your status if you so desire.

http://support.rallypoint.com/customer/en/portal/articles/1212628-changing-your-account-status-service-member-veteran-or-retired?b_id=4766

Changing your account status: service me...

If at any point your status changes, or if you accidentally set up your profile incorrectly, you can easily change your ...

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 6:56 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 06:56:13 -0500

In the USAF many people with this degree go into Medical Service Corps (MSC). They already the admin officers in the Medical Group. I'm sure all services have an equivalent...minus the USMC of course. Look into it.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Feb 1 at 2017 12:09 PM

Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 12:09:24 -0500

As of this minute, the AFROTC program is accepting people in their commissioning programs both one year and two year programs. If you already have your degree you can work towards your masters. At the end of the two years you are commissioned. One year program, if you have an undergraduate degree you just have to be enrolled in a program and attend Field Training (ROTC's version of OTS) and then you are commissioned. Contact your local AFROTC detachment at your nearest college and they can assist but this is one of those short term good deals that probably won't last. Air Force is at max capacity right now at OTS because they are projecting a shortfall in the coming years. Now is the time to jump. GET CRACKING!!! https://www.afrotc.com/

U.S. Air Force ROTC Official Website

Air Force ROTC is a rewarding program that offers scholarship opportunities to pay for college while preparing you to become a leader in the U.S. Air Force

Response by LTC Joseph Gross made Feb 1 at 2017 2:23 PM

LTC Joseph Gross — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 14:23:07 -0500

Army/Infantry! Why go anywhere else? Plenty of time to be an accountant when you are old!

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Feb 1 at 2017 2:50 PM

CPT Larry Hudson — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 14:50:16 -0500

Pretty obvious, qualified finance educated, should be in finance section of military to build record. Her record would be worthless with a degree in finance but served as a truck driver.

Response by 1LT Vance Titus made Feb 1 at 2017 3:26 PM

1LT Vance Titus — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 15:26:33 -0500

Infantry...the allocation and deployment of valuable and scarce resources is inherent in both the educational foundation and combat MOS.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Feb 1 at 2017 3:56 PM

PVT Mark Brown — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 15:56:13 -0500

I would think a person with a degree in financial and economics related fields would have a choice of branch. The MOS would lie with that person's educational emphasis and interest. IF the degree was at the B.A. of B.S level my guess would be that the field is not quite as wide open as it would be to one with M.B.A. or other related financial masters degree. I know that folks must going to the post graduate school these days to expect a half way decent job upon graduation. On the other hand, a person with the Baccalaureate degree would be able to enlist in the service of choice and continue work toward the Masters Degree while serving our nation. Win/Win situation there. And upon separation from active duty use the GI Bill to fund the cost of working toward a PhD.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2017 8:00 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 08:00:30 -0500

PVT Angelo Velez it depends on the needs of the military. If they need infantry officers than I would say go infantry and be energetic and learn as much as you can about that and strive to excel. If they need finance then do finance. I have had friends with criminal justice degrees want to go Military Police and got Ordnance. There is not always the direct line between degree and branch.