There a lot of career choices and a career as an army officer is one of them. The army is respected in different countries since the country places its security in the hands of the men and women working in the army. The laws of war state that an army should comprise of officers to acquire a combatant status. Every army therefore requires members of the population to volunteer their services to the army.
There are a number of positions existing within the army including the commissioned and noncommissioned army officers, warrant officers and the direct commission officer among other positions. A commissioned officer takes on the role of a commanding officer within the army. Commissioned officers undergo leadership and management training to be able to effectively carry out their duties. The commissioned officers have responsibilities varying according to the particular rank they hold. However most commanding officers issue out commands to their troops in the event of war, they lead platoons, undertake the counseling role and mentor officers holding lower ranks. Some commissioned officers may teach cadets in military academies. Commissioned officers may take on different ranks including the first lieutenant, lieutenant and lieutenant colonel ranks, Colonel, general, major general and lieutenant general ranks, captain, brigadier and major. The general is the highest commissioned officer rank. The general commands operations within a given geographical area’s jurisdiction.
Noncommissioned officers undergo leadership training at certain instances. What distinguishes them from commissioned officers is that their duties and responsibilities do not accord them leadership or management authorities over other officers. They undertake supervision roles within their specialized areas. noncommissioned officers work under the commissioned officers and in turn receive their orders from the commissioned officers. Corporals and sergeants usually fall under the noncommissioned officers rank.
Warrant officers command units similar to commissioned officers. The responsibilities of warrant officers tend to be technical in nature. Warrant officers generally work as helicopter pilots, combative and tactile experts, IT specialists and as trainers and advisors. They also offer support to brigades and division corps and in major army related operations. They also mentor and advice branch officers. Their duties extend to administrative functions, maintenance of Army equipment and systems and carrying out integrations.
Direct commission officers tend to be civilians who have been commissioned through the the Direct Commission Officer Program. Their services are utilized in maintenance and to sustain the efforts of critical operations. These officers can serve in military reserves or in active duty. They also take on leadership roles in their specific areas of specialization including law, public affairs, supply and logistics, science among other areas. Direct commission officers are usually non uniformed member of an army.
Other jobs in the army, under the direct commission officer rank, range from transport specialists, embedded journalists, translators, medical specialists among other positions. Serving in an army is an honorable act and the army is constantly in need of new recruitments. It is however wise to find out what the implications of serving in the army are and they include working in a foreign country, in war torn situations, for prolonged periods of time, constantly putting yourself in life threatening situations and being away from your family.
