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 Army's 17 branches. Army ROTC hosts informational nights for its cadets to  explore the various branch and career paths open to them upon commissioning. Examples of roles in each branch can be found below, and interested students and current cadets are also encouraged to explore more career options to find a path most aligned with their interests and strengths.

Branches and Officer Roles

NOTE: More details about roles below are available on the official U.S. Army website and are linked to more information on that site.

Adjutant General's Corps (AG): A Human Resources Officer, also known as an Adjutant General Officer, provides personnel support that affects soldiers’ overall well-being, and assists commanders by accounting for and keeping soldiers combat-ready.

Air Defense Artillery (ADA): An Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Officer leads the air defense artillery branch at all levels of command. This position manages military computers, 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): An Armor Officer is responsible for tank and cavalry/forward reconnaissance operations on the battlefield, acting as a leader in operations specific to the armor branch.

Aviation (AV): Aviation Officers command flight platoons and lead operations using Army helicopters. Examples of missions include hauling troops and carrying supplies, as well as quick and long-range strategic strikes.

Chemical Corps (CM): Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) officers help to defend against the threat of biological and chemical weapons, 'dirty bombs' and Weapons of Mass Destruction, commanding or serving as a platoon leader of a chemical unit while employing state-of-the-art CBRN defense systems.

Corps of Engineers (EN): An Engineering Officer manages a wide range of crucial engineering projects, supports disaster relief and civilian rescue efforts, and researches alternative engineering technology. 

Cyber (ARCYBER): This branch is the supporting Army headquarters under United States Cyber Command, and includes roles such as Cyber Warfare Officer and Cyber Capabilities Development Officer.

Field Artillery (FA): A Field Artillery Officer is responsible for leadership in the branch of the U.S. Army that neutralizes the enemy by cannon, rocket, and missile fire.

Finance Corps (FC): This branch is responsible for sustaining operations through purchasing and acquiring supplies and services. It also handles military and civilian pay, travel expenses, transportation and commercial vendor vouchers, and public funds accounting.

Infantry (IN): Infantry Officers are responsible for leading Infantry Soldiers at all levels of command, as well as leading combined armed forces during missions on the ground. 

Medical Service Corps (MEDSERVE): The most diverse branch of the Army, MEDSERVE includes a wide variety of careers from medical administrative, scientific, and provider specialties, from direct patient care to management of the U.S. Army’s health service system.

Military Intelligence (MI): Providing essential information that can often save the lives of Soldiers fighting on front lines is a key role of Army Military Intelligence Officers. These individuals are responsible for all collected intelligence during Army missions.

Military Police (MP): Officers in this branch of the Army are responsible for ensuring the safety and protection of Army personnel, equipment, and resources.

Ordnance Corps (OD): Ordnance Officers are tasked to ensure that weapons systems, vehicles, and equipment are ready and available, and in perfect condition at all times. They also manage the developing, testing, fielding, handling, storage, and disposal of munitions.

Quartermaster Corps (QM): This branch of the Army are crucial to the success of many other branches and the Army as a whole, ensuring equipment, materials and systems are available and functioning for missions.

Signal Corps (SC): This branch is responsible for the Army’s entire systems of communication. Signal Officers plan and execute all aspects of communication on a mission and are critical to the Army’s continued success

Transportation Corps (TC): Transportation Officers 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.

Careers in the Army not only provide a way to serve the nation using the skills and interests developed during participation in the ROTC program, but also prepare officers for success in the civilian world at the conclusion of service. Connect with a member of the Army ROTC department today to explore your career path.