Armored Assault Vehicle Crew Members

Background

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 types of armored assault vehicles to engage and destroy the enemy. Armored units also conduct scouting missions and support infantry units during combat. Tank crew members normally specialize by type of armor, such as tanks, light armor (cavalry), or amphibious assault vehicles. Armored assault vehicle crew members work as a team to operate armored equipment and fire weapons to destroy enemy positions.

What They Do

Armored assault vehicle crew members in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Drive armored land or amphibious assault vehicles in combat formations
• Gather and report information about enemy strength and target location
• Load and fire guns
• Operate communications and signaling equipment to receive and relay battle orders
• Operate target sighting equipment to aim guns
• Perform preventive maintenance on armored vehicles and mounted guns
• Read maps and battle plans

Physical Demands

Armored assault vehicle crew members must be in good physical condition and have exceptional stamina. They must be able to work inside the confined area of a tank for long periods of time. Good vision and normal color vision are required in order to read maps, drive vehicles around obstacles, and locate targets.

Special Requirements

No information available.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to follow directions and execute orders quickly and accurately
• Ability to work as a member of a team
• Ability to work well under stress
• Readiness to accept a challenge and face danger

Helpful School Subjects

No information available.

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

Work Environment

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.

Services offering this career:

• Army
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for enlisted personnel.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of six to nine weeks of classroom and field training under simulated combat conditions.

Course content typically includes:

• Armor offensive and defensive tactics
• Map reading
• Scouting and reconnaissance techniques
• Vehicle operations

Further training occurs on the job and through training exercises.

Civilian Counterparts

Although the job of armor crew member has no equivalent in civilian life, the close teamwork, discipline, and leadership experiences it provides are helpful in many civilian jobs.

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 23,000 tank crew members. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year, the services need new crew members due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, new crew members help operate weapons and control their armored vehicles. Leadership potential and job performance are the most important factors for advancement in this field.