Army Branches

Army Branches

ROTC Cadets receive training that prepares them for success across a wide variety of careers across the branches of the U.S. Army. When Cadets graduate and commission as Second Lieutenants, they enter one of the Officer Career Fields across the U.S. Army's 17 branches or various other baccalaureate/advanced degree specialty branches.

For updated branch information and points of contact, visit the Virtual Branch Outreach (VBO) website.

For a description of Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors (KSBs) that each branch looks for in students, visit this site.

If you are an MS3 Cadet who needs to complete Talent Based Branching (TBB) or HireVue Interviews, go here. Remember that you must have a working CAC (Military ID) to login.

Branches:

Adjutant General (AG). As a Human Resources Officer, also known as an Adjutant General Officer, you’ll be responsible for providing personnel support while assisting commanders with accountability, strength management, casualty and readiness management, while providing essential HR services which impact Soldier careers. In many cases, the duties of an Adjutant General Officer are very similar to the function of a high-level human resources executive in the civilian world.

Air Defense Artillery (ADA). As an Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Officer, you’ll lead the air defense artillery branch at all levels of command. You’ll manage modern complicated military computers on complex networks, communications equipment systems, and radars in order to provide warning, detection, and protection for armed forces from aerial attack, missile attack, and aerial surveillance.

Armor (AR). As an Armor Officer, you’ll be responsible for tank and cavalry/forward reconnaissance operations on the battlefield. You’ll be a leader in operations specific to the armor branch and lead others in many areas of combat operations.

Aviation (AV). As an Aviation Officer, you'll command flight platoons and lead operations using Army helicopters. Your missions may include hauling troops and carrying supplies, or they may involve quick and long-range strategic strikes. You will also instruct recruits in aviation at combat training centers and schools.

Chemical (CM). As a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Officer, you will be part of the Army branch that specifically defends against the threat of biological and chemical weapons, 'dirty bombs' and Weapons of Mass Destruction. You will lead extraordinary Chemical units dedicated to protecting our nation in missions to assess, protect, and mitigate WMD/CBRN threats. In addition, you will be certified in HAZMAT operations and the handling of toxic and hazardous substances, and be called upon to share your scientific expertise with every unit type in the Army during both combat and peacetime.

Corps of Engineers (EN). As an Engineer Officer, you’ll manage a wide range of crucial engineering projects, including constructing roads, bases, bridges, and airfields, supporting disaster relief and civilian rescue efforts, and researching alternative engineering technology. You’ll also provide support to troops in the field.

Cyber (ARCYBER). As a Cyber Warfare Officer, you'll be responsible for carrying out cyber security operations in conjunction with an organized plan by targeting adversary activities and capabilities.

Field Artillery (FA). As a Field Artillery Officer, you’ll lead the field artillery branch that neutralizes the enemy by cannon, rocket, and missile fire. In this position, you must be an expert in tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Finance (FC). As a Financial Manager, you will manage operations as part of the Army’s Finance Corps and use your expertise to ensure that the Army's financial resources are effectively allocated to support its missions and the wellbeing of its personnel. You’ll also supervise Finance Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers in disbursing, banking, budget execution, military pay, auditing, accounting, and more.

Infantry (IN). As an Infantry Officer, you’ll be responsible for leading Infantry Soldiers at all levels of command and combined armed forces during missions on the ground. You will train, lead, and employ all types of Infantry and other maneuver and fire assets on the battlefield in attack, defense, and stability operations.

Medical Service Corps (MEDSERVE) (General Degree). The Medical Service Corps is the most diverse branch of the U.S. Army. This Corps is home to medical administrative, scientific, and provider specialties, from direct patient care to management of the U.S. Army’s health service system. Note that Officers can serve in the Medical Service Corps in either administration roles or specialty disciplines, which require advanced degree specialty.

Military Intelligence (MI). As an Army Military Intelligence Officer, you’ll be responsible for all collected intelligence during Army missions. You’ll provide essential information that can often save the lives of Soldiers fighting on front lines. You’ll command and coordinate Military Intelligence Soldiers and combined armed forces, assess risks, and act to neutralize intelligence threats.

Military Police (MP). As a Military Police Officer, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the safety and protection of Army personnel, equipment, and resources. You’ll control and secure terrain inside and outside military installations, as well as manage, supervise, and control secured areas. Additionally, you’ll supervise police missions, help train local law enforcement teams, lead small, tactical military police units, and function as an advisor to the Army Reserve and Army National Guard.

Ordnance (OD). As an Ordnance Officer, you’ll make sure that weapons systems, vehicles, and equipment are ready and available, and in perfect condition at all times. You’ll also manage the developing, testing, fielding, handling, storage, and disposal of munitions.

Quartermaster (QM). As an Automated Logistical Specialist, similar to a laborer or freight mover, you’ll perform maintenance management and warehouse functions in order to maintain equipment records. You’ll oversee incoming supplies and equipment, simplify and standardize maintenance data, and raise the quality and accuracy of performance, cost, and parts data through improved maintenance management.

Signal (SC). As a Signal Officer, you’ll lead the Signal Corps, which is responsible for the Army’s entire systems of communication. You’ll plan and execute all aspects of communication on a mission and will be critical to the Army’s continued success. You’ll maintain the Army’s voice, data and information systems, make tactical decisions, and engage Signal Soldiers at all levels of command.

Transportation (TC). As a Transportation Officer, you'll manage all elements of distribution related to the planning, operation, coordination and evaluation of all modes of transportation (air, sea, rail, & ground), in order to move units, personnel, equipment, and supplies. While in the Transportation Corps, you will have the opportunity to command specialized transportation units focused on supporting global operations.

Baccalaureate/Advanced Degree Specialty Branches:

Army Nurse Corps (ANC). The Army Nurse Corps represents more than 11,000 Soldiers dedicated to providing high-tech, quality health care for military personnel, their families, and military retirees all over the world. They support humanitarian missions and respond to natural disasters, experiences unmatched as a civilian nurse. Army nurses choose one of five specialties: Critical Care, Mental Health, Perioperative, Emergency Trauma, and Gynecology/Obstetrics.

Chaplain. Chaplains are spiritual leaders who reach out and provide spiritual guidance to anyone in need. As an Army Chaplain you'll have the responsibility of caring for the spiritual well-being of Soldiers and their Families. You’ll also oversee a full program of religious ministries, including workshops, counseling sessions, religious education, and special events.

Dental Corps. The Army Dental Corps teaches more residents than any other institution in the country. It maintains modern dental facilities both in the U.S. and abroad in diverse countries. The Army’s Specialty Residency Programs produce graduates regularly scoring in the top 95th percentile. The Army Dental Corps is comprised of nine specialties: Comprehensive Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontistry, Prosthodontistry, General Dentistry, Oral Pathology, and Public Health.

Medical Corps. The Army Medical Corps contains over 40 specialties, from internal medicine and neurosurgery to pathology, anesthesiology, and psychiatry. Army Medical Corps physicians practice in three main areas: Operational Medicine, Clinical Medicine, and Research Medicine.

Medical Service Corps (Advanced Degree). The Medical Service Corps is the most diverse branch of the U.S. Army. This Corps is home to medical administrative, scientific, and provider specialties, from direct patient care to management of the U.S. Army’s health service system. Disciplines include: Behavioral Sciences, Health Services, Laboratory Sciences, Optometry, Pharmacy, Podiatry, Preventative Medicine, and more.

Medical Specialist Corps (MSC). The Medical Specialist Corps is home to four distinct specialties: Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Clinical Dietitians, and Physician Assistants.

Veterinary Corps. As an Army Veterinarian Officer, you’ll specialize in animal medicine, veterinary public health, and research and development. You’ll gain valuable experience leading Veterinary Corps units to treat Army animals, including K-9 units, ceremonial horses, and helping care for Soldiers' family pets. You’ll also serve an important role in food safety for your fellow Soldiers and join humanitarian missions to help local communities with animal care.

Judge Advocate General (JAG). As an Army Judge Advocate (lawyer in the Army), you’ll be responsible for offering legal services to Soldiers, officers, and to officers' families. You’ll primarily focus on the areas of criminal law, legal assistance, civil and administrative law, labor and employment law, international and operational law, intelligence law, and contract and fiscal law. You’ll offer legal reviews, ethics opinions, advice to commanders and their staff, and assist Soldiers with legal services.

Special Operations Branches Available After Commissioning:

Civil Affairs (CA). As a Civil Affairs Officer, you’ll act as a liaison between the Army and civilian authorities and populations. You’ll perform strategic and tactical civil affairs operations and combined armed forces, both overt and covert, in peacetime or when activated for crisis or war. You’ll also coordinate employment of civil affairs Soldiers at all levels of command in U.S. and multinational operations.

Psychological Operations (PSYOPS). As a Psychological Operations Officer, you’ll be a master of persuasion and influence, and an expert in political trends, cultural trends, and attitudes of the people in your given area of operation. You’ll utilize your understanding of social psychology and individual and group dynamics to influence individuals, groups, and populations.

Special Forces (SF). As a Special Forces Officer, you’ll become a member of the Green Berets, one of the most highly skilled Soldiers in the world. You will lead teams on missions, including counter-terrorism, direct action, foreign internal defense, intelligence gathering, and unconventional warfare. You’ll have several duties, including training, resource management, mission and logistics planning, and working with U.S. and foreign government agencies.

After commissioning, many other specialty branches will be available throughout your career. These include, but are not limited to:

Army Acquisition Officer. Acquisition officers strive to meet the needs of the Soldier throughout the full spectrum of operations by incorporating technical solutions to respond to the rapidly evolving threat environment. Officers work with joint and international partners as well as those in industry and academia, to develop, acquire, deliver, sustain and safely dispose of weapons systems and provide contracting services to Soldiers in all military operations.

Foreign Area Officer. Army Foreign Area Officers are Soldiers grounded in the Profession of Arms who provide leadership and expertise in diverse organizations in joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational environments; who advise seniors as regional experts; and who offer unique war fighting competencies―cross-cultural capabilities, interpersonal communications and foreign language skills―that are critical to mission readiness of the Army in today’s dynamic strategic environment. U.S. Army FAOs are specially selected and trained to be regionally-focused political-military specialists that possess a unique combination of regional expertise and strategic focus. FAOs develop political, cultural, sociological, economic, and geographic awareness, and foreign language proficiency in at least one of the dominant languages in their specified region over the course of their extensive three-four year training program. A FAO will typically serve overseas tours as a military attaché, security assistance officer, or strategic-level political-military planner on the Geographic Combatant Commander’s or Army Service Component Commander’s staff. Additionally, FAOs serve as political-military planners in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Army Staff, Army Commands, or in other agencies of the Department of Defense. FAOs also serve as arms control specialists, country desk officers, liaison officers, and Personal Exchange Program officers to host nations or coalition allies.  Roles and responsibilities of FAOs are extensive and varied. They advise senior leaders on political-military issues and relations with other nations, provide cultural expertise to forward-deployed commands conducting military operations, build and maintain long-term relationships with foreign leaders, develop and coordinate security cooperation plans, execute security assistance programs with host nations, and report on national or regional political, military, and economic information to the U.S. Government.