Officer Careers
As an officer in the Army National Guard, you have a multitude of career choices, all exciting, challenging and rewarding.
The jobs in these fields prepare you for lucrative jobs in the public sector, so if you have career dreams beyond the Army National Guard, there’s a branch below that will train you well for it.
Once you become a commissioned officer, you’ll choose from, and train in, one of these specialty fields, with the option to train in other branches later as well.
COMBAT ARMS BRANCHES
Note: Combat Arms branches are not open to women.
Infantry
An infantry officer is responsible for leading and controlling the infantry and combined armed forces during land combat. They’re also involved in coordinating employment of infantry Soldiers at all levels of command, from platoon to battalion and higher, in U.S. and multi-national operations.
Armor
Armor Officers are responsible for tank and cavalry/forward reconnaissance operations on the battlefield. The Armor Officer is a leader in operations specific to the Armor Branch and leads others in many areas of combat operations.
Field Artillery
The Army's Field Artillery Branch is responsible for neutralizing or suppressing the enemy by cannon, rocket and missile fire and to help integrate all fire support assets into combined arms operations. The field artillery officer is a leader in operations specific to the Field Artillery Branch and an expert in the tactics, techniques and procedures for the employment of fire support systems.
Air Defense Artillery
Air Defense Artillery Officers are leaders in operations specific to the Air Defense Artillery Branch and experts in the tactics, techniques and procedures for the employment of air defense systems.
Aviation
An officer in the aviation branch is an expert aviator first but is also responsible for the coordination of aviation operations from maintenance to control tower operations to tactical field missions. From providing quick-strike and long-range target engagement during combat operations to hauling troops and supplies, Army helicopter units play a critical role in getting the job done in many situations.
Special Forces
A Special Forces officer is responsible for what is typically organized as a 12-man team, known as an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA). ODAs are deployed around the world in rapid-response situations, whether it's during peacetime, crisis or war. The Special Forces officer is the team leader of an ODA, responsible for mission organization, outfitting the team and debriefing mission objectives.
Corps of Engineers
An officer in the Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for providing support in a full spectrum of engineering duties. Engineer officers help the Army and the nation in building structures, developing civil works programs and working with natural resources, as well as providing combat support on the battlefield.
COMBAT SUPPORT BRANCHES
Signal Corps
A signal corps officer must be an expert in planning, installing, integrating, operating and maintaining the Army's voice, data and information systems, services and resources. Signal officers must be highly intelligent, forward-thinking and have a complete knowledge of communications and data management technologies.
Military Police Corps
Military Police officers are utilized in direct combat and during peacetime to lead other Military Police Soldiers while they serve five main functions: 1) Maneuver and mobility support operations, 2) Area security operations, 3) Law and order operations, 4) Internment and resettlement operations and 5) Police intelligence operations.
Military Intelligence Corps
Military Intelligence (MI) Officers are always out front, providing essential intelligence and in many cases saving Soldiers who are fighting on the front lines. MI officers assess risks associated with friendly and enemy courses of action, and act to counter or neutralize identified intelligence threats. The MI officer also uses intelligence systems and data to reduce uncertainty of enemy, terrain and weather conditions for a commander.
Chemical Corps
The chemical officer advises the commander on issues regarding nuclear, biological and radiological warfare, defense and homeland protection. Chemical officers also employ chemical units in combat support with chemical, technology and management.
COMBAT SERVICE SUPPORT BRANCHES
Adjutant General Corps
An adjutant general officer is responsible for helping Soldiers with the tasks that affect their overall welfare and well-being, while assisting commanders by keeping Soldiers combat-ready. In many cases, the duties of an adjutant general officer are similar to the function of a high-level human resources executive in the civilian world.
Finance Corps
The Army's finance corps is responsible for sustaining operations through purchasing and acquiring supplies and services. Officers in the finance corps make sure commercial vendors are paid, contractual payments are met, balancing and projecting budgets, paying Soldiers for their service and other financial matters associated with keeping the Army running.
Transportation Corps
Transportation officers are experts in the systems, vehicles and procedures in moving troops and supplies in the Army. Transportation officers are responsible for commanding and controlling transportation operations and combined armed forces during land combat.
Ordnance Corps
Ordnance officers are responsible for ensuring that weapons systems, vehicles and equipment are ready and available and in perfect working order at all times. Thus, ordnance officers and the Soldiers they lead are a critical component in the Army's success. Ordnance officers also oversee the development, testing, fielding, handling, storage and disposal of munitions.
Quartermaster Corps
Quartermaster officers are responsible for making sure equipment, materials and systems are available and functioning for missions. More specifically, the quartermaster officer provides supply support for Soldiers and units in field services, aerial delivery and material and distribution management.
SPECIAL BRANCHES
Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps
As an officer in the JAG Corps and a practicing attorney or judge, your responsibilities will cover a wide range of practices that includes military law, criminal prosecution, international law and legal assistance, both in the United States and abroad.
Chaplain Corps
As a chaplain officer, you will lead a Unit Ministry Team (UMT), which consists of you and a trained chaplain assistant. As an Army chaplain you will be responsible for caring for the spiritual well-being of Soldiers and their families. Army chaplains are the spiritual leaders of the Army and perform religious ceremonies; from births and baptisms to confirmations and marriage, to illness and last rites.
Medical Corps
An Army medical corps officer is responsible for the overall health of Soldiers and their families. From allergists to oncologists to surgeons, medical corps officers are also responsible for providing health care to Soldiers' families and others eligible to receive this care in the military community. During combat, the medical corps officer oversees the emergency medical management of casualties and makes sure Soldiers are combat-ready when it comes to their overall health.
Dental Corps
An Army dental corps officer is responsible for the dental health of Soldiers and their families. They're also responsible for providing health care to Soldiers' families and others eligible to receive this care in the military community. During combat, the dental corps officer assists in the emergency medical management of casualties, identifies casualties through dental records and makes sure Soldiers are combat-ready in terms of health.
Veterinary Corps Officer
Army veterinarian officers practice in three primary areas: animal medicine, veterinary public health, research and development. Veterinarian officers are responsible for treating government-owned animals and the valued pets of service members and their families. Army veterinary corps officers are also responsible for programs ensuring the safety and security of Department of Defense food supplies, both in the United States and abroad.
Medical Specialist Corps
Medical specialist corps officers are essential in treating and helping the overall health of Soldiers and their families. From medical fields such as occupational therapy and physical therapy to dietician and physician assistant, the Army medical specialist corps includes several areas of specialty.
Army Nurse Corps
Army nurse corps officers lead diverse nursing teams in a variety of settings and provide holistic multi-disciplinary care for Soldiers and their families. Officers are leaders. All Army leaders require self-discipline, initiative, confidence, the ability to problem solve and make timely decisions.
Medical Service Corps
Medical service corps officers are essential in treating and helping the overall health of Soldiers and their families. They’re also responsible for much of the medical research that takes place in the Army. From medical fields such as optometry and podiatry to laboratory sciences to behavioral sciences, the Army medical service corps includes many areas of specialty.
