Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 6/1/2009

Question
Good Day Col.Bedell,

Reading your profile was very inspiring. I am prior service (Navy) and have just recently earned my bachelors in electrical engineering. I have always wanted to return to the military and have set my sights on the Army. Unfortunately, i was discharged with a RE-3G re-entry code so I understand I have obstacles ahead of me.

Should my dream of joining the US Army materialize, I was wondering what options are available to someone such as myself. My studies were focused in the field of power engineering (so your desire to lead the Army in the development of portable power sounds exciting).

I understand that OCS graduates are assigned to their specific fields according to the needs of the Army so I assumed that engineering graduates are all assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers.

There is also the option of becoming a warrant officer but I wonder if there are limitations in a career track such as that (versus becoming a commissioned officer) despite their needing to be highly specialized in their respective field.

I would most certainly appreciate any insight you can share on career possibilities of being a soldier/ officer / engineer.

Thank you kindly for your time.
Liz

Answer
Dear Liz --

All Army commissioned officers are assigned branches based on the needs of the Army.  West Point graduates get to pick their branch based on where they place in the class, and what branches have second lieutenant billets available.  They do not always get their first choice

Engineering qualified officers are needed for the Corps of Engineers, Signal Corps, Aviation and Chemical Corps.  However, other branches are open to you also.  Again, it will depend on the needs of the Army at the time you graduate from OCS.

If you wish to lead others in achieving the mission, you should set your sights on becoming a commissioned officer.  If you wish to become a technical expert in a key field, you should look at becoming a warrant officer.  

Once you are in your 5th or 6th year of commissioned service, you can choose a functional area that allows you to do research and development or program management.  That was the path my career took.

However, you will first need to petition the board of military corrections to get your re-entry code upgraded to allow you to enlist with a warrant officer school or a officer candidate school rider in your contract.

Please write back, if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you.