Armor (Career Management Field 19) Career Progression Plan
Chapter 1. Duties
The United States Army Armor Branch is the Combat Arm of Decision. We are the premier mounted
maneuver force comprised of the best trained, best led, best equipped, and most lethal Tankers and
Scouts in the world. Soldiers first, we are experts in the art of maneuver warfare; mounted and
dismounted reconnaissance and security operations; and the employment of combined arms and joint
capabilities on the battlefield. Armor and cavalry troopers thrive in conditions of ambiguity, uncertainty,
and complexity; comfortable away from the main body, out front or on the flanks, and decisive when
leading it. We operate with a mission command mentality always seeking opportunities to seize, retain,
and exploit the initiative; creating and preserving freedom of action for our force while denying the enemy
options. Armor and cavalry leaders combine the superior capabilities of our equipment with the ingenuity
of our troopers to find, fix, close with and destroy the enemies of our nation through combinations of
mobility, precise, lethal, and overwhelming firepower, and devastating shock effect. Armor branch is a
team of teams ready to fight and win anytime, anywhere, under any conditions of battle.
Chapter 2. Transformation
Armor Soldiers are valued for their warfighting skills. They acquire and perfect those skills primarily
through realistic training, professional military education (PME), and service in the most demanding
leadership positions the Armor Branch offers. Leading with Soldiers is of primary importance to the Armor
Branch. Armor Soldiers polish their tactical and technical proficiencies through practical application of
warfighting skills. Regardless of the ongoing transition, the Armor Force will continue to serve as a
critical component of the combined arms maneuver team. The Army’s current personnel requirements
to meet the demands of the operational environment will result in Armor Soldiers serving in
undocumented positions. In addition to filling Armor designated positions, Armor Soldiers may also be
required to serve as authorized substitutions for other Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) based on
personnel shortages. These assignments are considered broadening when complimented by the time
spent in a Key Developmental (KD) assignment at each rank. Armor Soldiers should be prepared to fill
Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) assignments within the IBCT beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.
Chapter 3. Recommended career management self-development, by rank
a. Private–Specialist/Corporal.
1) Chain of command and the NCO support chain assists Soldiers in managing their careers through
counseling, mentoring, and coaching. Chain of command should also assist Soldiers to set up an
individual development plan (IDP) within the ACT website at: https://actnow.army.mil/. The quality and
success of an Armor Soldier’s career is directly proportional to that Soldier’s consistent commitment to
excellence, regardless of the assignment. Soldiers committed to achieving high goals will develop
technical, tactical and leadership skills with the practical knowledge and ambition to put them to good use.
The primary objective of the Armor Soldier is to become proficient within his/her MOS based on a variety
of developmental assignments followed by a broadening assignment. Regardless of the assignment, the
Armor Soldier should consistently seek self-improvement and set goals in the Army Career Tracker (ACT)
website.
2) Self-development is a mandatory, individually planned, progressive and sequential program followed
by NCO leadership. It is comprised of individual study, education, credentialing/licensing, research and
professional readings. The Self-development program is thoroughly discussed by rank (in para 2–13).
3) Professional reading is an important element in self-development and understanding the profession of
arms. In addition, the Sergeant Major of the Army Book Club is located in the center for the army
profession and ethic at: http://cape.army.mil/news/sma-daileys-book-club
4) The OPTEMPO of assignments may limit the opportunity for traditional civilian education. Soldiers
should take advantage of the opportunities available through their local education center or through
GoArmyEd (https://www.eArmyu.com). GoArmyEd is the virtual gateway for all eligible active duty, ARNG
and Army Reserve Soldiers to request tuition assistance online, anytime, anywhere for classroom and
distance learning. It allows Soldiers to manage their education records including college classes, testing,
and Army Education Counselor support. The College of the American Soldier, accessible through the
career resources tab on the ACT, is designed to expand existing civilian education choices for NCOs to
