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Job Description: In peacetime, the role of armored units is to stay ready to defend our country anywhere in the world. In combat, their role is to operate tanks, amphibious assault vehicles, and other armored assault vehicles to engage and destroy the enemy. Armored units also conduct scouting missions and support infantry units during combat. Armored assault vehicle crew members work as a team to operate armored equipment and fire weapons to destroy enemy positions. They normally specialize by type of armor, such as tanks, light armor, or amphibious assault vehicles. Although the job of tank crew member has no equivalent in civilian life, the close teamwork, discipline, and leadership experiences it provides are helpful in many civilian jobs.

Duties: Military armored assault vehicle crew members may perform some or all of following:

• Drive armored land or amphibious assault vehicles in combat formations over roadways, rough terrain, and in heavy surf
• Operate target sighting equipment to aim guns
• Load and fire guns
• Operate communications and signaling equipment to receive and relay battle orders
• Gather and report information about the terrain, enemy strength, and target locations
• Perform preventive maintenance on armored vehicles, guns, and equipment
• Read maps, compasses, and battle plans

Working Conditions: Armored assault vehicle crew members, like other combat troops, work in all climates and weather conditions. During training exercises, as in real combat conditions, crew members work, eat, and sleep outdoors and in vehicles. This occupation is open only to men.

Educational Requirements: Military job training consists of between 6 and 10 weeks of classroom and field training under simulated combat conditions. Course content typically includes vehicle operations, armor offensive and defensive tactics, tank gunnery, map reading, and scouting techniques. Further training occurs on the job and through training exercises. Armored assault vehicle crews often take part in war games, which simulate combat conditions. They divide into teams and practice battle tactics on desert ranges. Instead of firing live ammunition, tanks "shoot" harmless light beams at one another to determine war game victors.

Outlook: The military services have about 24,000 armored assault vehicle crew members. On the average, they need about 3,500 new crew members each year. For more information for Enlisted Personnel Careers in Combat Specialties visit Today's Military online. This occupation is open only to men.

Military service: Military armored assault vehicle crew members are enlistees in the Army or Marines. This occupation is open only to men.

Please see your local recruiter for current pay scales.

Last updated on: April 17, 2006