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.