College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences > Academics > Military Science > Program > Army Branches

Twenty Four Army Branches

Upon becoming lieutenants, graduates of the Army ROTC program are selected to serve in one of the more than 20 Officer Career Fields (OCF).  They take up their duties armed with the superb leadership and managerial skills that have long been he hallmark of the Army ROTC program.

This is a synopsis of each of the OCF in which Army ROTC graduates may be found.  Not all of these specialties are immediately available to those entering the Army through the ROTC program.

Adjutant general Corps
The mission of the AG is to help plan, operate and manage military personnel activities.  These include: personnel services, personnel strength management, personnel automation, band operations and postal operations.

Air Defense Artillery 
The Air Defense Artillery protects our forces and selected physical assets from aerial attack, missile attack and surveillance.  Service in this branch call for extensive expertise in handling the highly specialized air defense weapons systems in use within a Combined Arms environment.

Armor
Armor Officers are responsible for tank and cavalry/forward reconnaissance operations on a battlefield.  The three subcomponents of the AR branch – Armored Cavalry – Air Cavalry and Armor – provide the Army with what many consider to be its most powerful reconnaissance and offensive forces.

Aviation
An Officer within the Aviation Branch is first an expert aviator, 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 transporting troops and supplies, Army Aviation Officers play a critical role.

Corps of Engineers
The Corps of Engineers is one of the most diversified branches in the Army.  It is a key member of the Combined Arms Team, and its activities encompass military engineering, civil works and related planning, organization, training, supply and maintenance activities.

Field Artillery
The Army’s Field Artillery Branch is responsible for neutralizing or suppressing the enemy by cannon, rocket and missile fire.  A such, it plays the central role in the integration of all fire support assets used during Combined Arms operations.

Infantry
The Infantry is charged with a key mission – to close with the enemy by fire and maneuver to destroy or capture him and to repel his attack by fire, close combat and counterattack.  The modern infantryman may fight on foot, or go into action by parachute, helicopter, assault boat or the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Special Forces
Special reconnaissance, direct action, foreign internal defense, unconventional warfare and counterterrorism are the key missions of the Army’s Special Forces.  In the initial stages of his career, a Special Forces Officer is responsible for what is typically organized as a 12-man team, known as an Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA).

Chemical
The Chemical Corps provides expertise in nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) warfare matters.  It also has a wide variety of research, development, and logistical functions relating to NBC systems and combat development.

Civil Affairs
The Civil Affair’s mission is to support the commander’s relationship with the civil authorities and civilian populace in foreign areas in which our forces operate.  Those serving in this branch of the Army are members of the Army Reserve.

Judge Advocate General Corps
As attorneys, Officers assigned to the Judge Advocate Corps handle the legal affairs of the Army and conduct necessary criminal prosecutions.  They advice commanders on all matters associated with the Uniformed Code of Military Justice as well as financial claims being presented involving Army personnel and units

Military Intelligence
This branch of the Army focuses on cryptology, signals intelligence, human intelligence, and counterintelligence activities.  Among other activities are electronic warfare, operations security, interrogation of enemy prisoners, and surveillance of enemy activities.

Military Police
Those in the Military Police Corps provide key law enforcement functions for our Army.  In times of conflict, they perform area security functions as well as enemy prisoner of war confinement activities, and resettlement functions.

Signal Corps
Signal Corps Officers lend expertise to the critical aspects of planning, installing, integrating, operating and maintaining the Army’s voice, data and information systems, and services and resources.  They employ the latest communications and automation technology to support requirements extending from the White House to the farthest foxhole in the battlefield.

Chaplain Corps
Army Chaplains undertake the responsibility for caring for the spiritual well-being of Soldiers and their families.  As a member of the commanders’ special staff, the chaplain is responsible for providing advice in matters pertaining to religion, morals, and unit morale.

Dental Corps
Army Dental Corps Officers are responsible for the dental health of Soldiers and their families.  They are also responsible for providing health care to Soldiers, their families, and others eligible to receive dental care in the military community.

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 and Soldiers are promptly paid.

Medical Corps
Medical Corps Officers are responsible for providing health care to Soldiers, their families, and others eligible to receive such care in the military community.  During combat, Medical Corps Officers oversee the emergency medical management of casualties and make sure Soldiers are combat ready in terms of their overall health. The Medical Service Corps provides scientists and trained specialists in the various fields allied to medicine.  Additionally, they provide officers that are technically qualified in the areas of administration, supply, environmental sciences, and related endeavors.

Army Nurse Corps
Army Nurses contribute immensely to the effort to provide high-quality, easily accessible and cost-effective healthcare to Soldiers and their families.  They work in the various clinical specialties and serve in hospitals, with units in the field, and in staff positions throughout our Army.

Ordnance Corps
Ordnance Officers are responsible for ensuring that weapons systems, vehicles and equipment are available – and operating properly.  They also oversee the development, testing, fielding, handling, storage, and disposal of all types of Army munitions.

Quartermaster Corps
Quartermaster Officers are responsible for making sure equipment, materials and systems are available and functioning for missions.  As such, they provide supply support for Soldiers and units in both field and garrison settings.

Transportation Corps
Officers serving in the Transportation Corps are experts in the systems, vehicles and procedures used in moving troops and supplies for the Army.  They play an integral role in the logistical planning process for every overseas deployment of our military forces.

Veterinary Corps
Those Officers assigned to the Veterinary Corps are responsible for treating government-owned animals, such as military dogs, and the valued pets of Soldiers and their families.  They are also responsible for ensuring the safety and security of Department of Defense food supplies, both in the United States and abroad.