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Role Overview

Armor crew members are the soldiers who operate and fight from tanks and other armored assault vehicles. In modern forces, that usually means vehicles like the M1A2 Abrams main battle tank or similar platforms that combine firepower, armor and mobility to dominate ground combat.

In official classification, this role is called Armored Assault Vehicle Crew Member and has O*NET code 55-3013.00.

If you like powerful machines, hands on technical work, teamwork and the idea of being part of a frontline combat unit, this is one of the classic combat operations careers.

Typical titles include:

• Armor Crew Member
• M1 Armor Crewman (Army MOS 19K)
• Tank Driver, Gunner or Loader
• Assault Amphibious Vehicle Crewman

What Armor Crew Members Do

Armor crew members operate and maintain tanks and armored vehicles in both training and combat. Core duties include:

Vehicle operations

• Drive tracked or wheeled armored vehicles over all kinds of terrain
• Navigate using maps, compasses, GPS and battle plans
• Maneuver the vehicle to support infantry and other units

Weapons and fire control

• Operate the main gun and coaxial machine guns
• Load ammunition safely and quickly
• Use advanced fire control systems, sights and sensors
• Search for targets, adjust fire and engage enemy vehicles, fortifications and positions

Communications and coordination

• Use radios and intercom systems to receive and relay orders
• Coordinate movements with other tanks, infantry and support units
• Maintain situational awareness of friendly and enemy forces

Maintenance and readiness

• Inspect and service engines, tracks, suspension and turrets
• Troubleshoot and help repair mechanical and electronic issues
• Maintain weapons, optics, communications and safety equipment
• Keep the tank clean, organized and fully stocked with ammunition and supplies

In peacetime, armor units train constantly so they can be ready to deploy on short notice. In wartime, armor crew members use mobility, protection and firepower to close with and defeat enemy forces.

Typical Work Environment

Armor crew members work in:

• Garrisons and training bases
  • Daily physical training and vehicle maintenance
  • Gunnery ranges and maneuver courses
  • Simulators and classroom instruction
• Field training exercises
  • Multi day or multi week exercises at large training centers
  • Live fire exercises in open terrain
  • Realistic scenarios that simulate combat conditions
• Deployments
  • Overseas bases and forward operating locations
  • Possible combat zones or high risk environments

The inside of a tank is cramped, loud, hot or cold depending on climate, and filled with equipment. Work is outdoors in all weather. You can expect noise, vibration, dust, the smell of fuel and oil, and the physical effort of moving heavy components and ammunition.

Entry Requirements and Qualifications

Exact criteria vary by country and branch, but in the U.S. Army the armor crew member role is MOS 19K. Common requirements include:

Basic eligibility

• Meet general enlistment standards
• High school diploma or equivalent
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, depending on branch
• Ability to qualify for a security clearance
• Meet height, weight, hearing and vision standards

Testing and aptitude

• Take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
• A qualifying score on the combat and technical related sections, often a Mechanical Maintenance or Combat score at or above a certain threshold

Training pipeline

1. Basic Combat Training
   • About ten weeks of foundational soldier skills
2. Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for Armor Crew Members
   • Typically 12 to 15 weeks
   • Learning tank systems, gunnery, driving, communications and maintenance

Additional training might include:

• Tank gunnery courses
• Advanced driver training
• Leadership courses as you get promoted

Core Skills and Personal Traits

Strong armor crew members tend to share these traits:

• Mechanical aptitude
  You are comfortable working with engines, hydraulics, electronics and weapons systems.
• Team orientation
  A tank crew is usually four soldiers. Success depends on communication and trust.
• Physical fitness
  You need the strength and endurance to lift heavy ammunition, work in tight spaces and operate in combat gear.
• Situational awareness
  You must track terrain, friendlies and enemy threats while operating a complex machine.
• Discipline and safety mindset
  Tanks involve high risk systems. Small mistakes with weapons, fuel or maintenance can have serious consequences.
• Stress tolerance
  Training is demanding and combat can be intense. You must stay calm while under pressure.

If you like vehicles, tools and action more than sitting at a desk, this can be a very engaging role.

Earnings Potential and Benefits

Military pay is based on rank and years of service, not on job title alone. However, we can use available information and comparisons to give a realistic picture.

For example, salary aggregators that track the pay of M1 Armor Crewmen in the U.S. Army report average annual earnings of about 52,000 dollars per year, which reflects base pay plus some allowances and special pays in many cases.

ZipRecruiter, which includes active duty, Guard and Reserve and sometimes former service members in related roles, lists an average of roughly 15.63 dollars per hour, which is about 32,500 dollars per year, although that estimate likely undercounts allowances and benefits.

In reality, total compensation includes:

• Base pay
• Housing allowance
• Food allowance
• Health care at little or no cost
• Education benefits, including the GI Bill
• Retirement benefits for long term service

Official resources emphasize that when you add these allowances and benefits, regular military compensation can be competitive with civilian pay for similar levels of experience.

As you gain rank, your pay increases. Sergeants and staff noncommissioned officers with more years of service will earn significantly more than new privates, and may qualify for reenlistment bonuses, especially in critical specialties.

Day in the Life of an Armor Crew Member

A typical day at home station might look like this.

Morning

• Physical training, such as running or ruck marching
• Breakfast and cleanup
• Formation and roll call
• Safety brief and plan for the day

Late morning

• Tank maintenance
  • Check fluid levels, tracks and suspension
  • Inspect weapons and optics
  • Clean and lubricate moving parts
• Load or unload ammunition or training rounds

Afternoon

• Gunnery or driving training
  • Time on a simulator practicing gunnery and range estimation
  • Live fire on a tank range
  • Driving in rough terrain, night driving or convoy operations
• Classroom instruction on tactics, communications or safety

Evening

• Equipment clean up and final checks
• Brief back with leaders about training results
• Personal time, study for promotion boards, gym, hobbies or family time

During field training exercises, days are longer and more variable:

• Early morning checks and movement to training areas
• Long hours in the vehicle, practicing tactical maneuvers and engagements
• Night operations with limited visibility
• Sleeping in the field, often close to your tank

During deployments, daily life can involve:

• Patrols or presence operations in vehicles
• Guard or security missions
• Training allied forces on armored tactics
• Maintenance and readiness in harsh climates

You will spend more time training and maintaining than actually firing in live combat, but the whole routine is focused on being ready for that moment.

Career Growth Stages and Promotion Path

Armor crew members follow the enlisted promotion structure, usually from E-1 (Private) up through senior noncommissioned officer ranks.

Stage 1: Junior crew member

• Positions: loader, driver
• Focus: mastering basic tasks, safety and maintenance
• Time in service: first 1 to 3 years

Stage 2: Gunner and experienced crew member

• Position: tank gunner or senior driver
• Duties: operate the main gun and fire control, assist with training new crew members
• Time in service: typically as you reach E-4, E-5

Stage 3: Tank commander

• Position: tank commander (often a sergeant or staff sergeant)
• Duties: lead a crew of four, plan and execute missions, coordinate with other tanks and platoon leadership

Stage 4: Platoon level and beyond

With more experience and rank, you can move into:

• Platoon sergeant roles, helping a lieutenant lead several tanks
• Master gunner or training specialist roles
• First sergeant or sergeant major positions at company or battalion level

Your armor background also supports moves into related areas:

• Instructor at armor schools or training centers
• Recruiter or career counselor
• Other combat arms specialties, such as cavalry scout or reconnaissance

After leaving active duty, armor veterans often transition into:

• Heavy equipment operation and maintenance
• Law enforcement and security roles
• Logistics and fleet management
• Technical and mechanical positions in industry

Articles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlight that many civilian jobs that match military technical and tactical skills have growth rates faster than average and offer competitive wages.

Education and Long Term Development

Minimum education is usually a high school diploma or GED. However, there are many ways to build additional education around an armor career:

Helpful degree paths

• Diesel technology or automotive technology
• Mechanical engineering technology
• Logistics and supply chain
• Criminal justice or homeland security
• Business or leadership related degrees for those aiming at higher ranks

Professional development

• Army leadership courses such as the Basic Leader Course and Advanced Leader Course
• Additional technical courses on maintenance and diagnostics
• Instructor certification if you move into training roles

Many armor crew members use tuition assistance while serving, and then use the GI Bill to complete a college degree after service.

Employment Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups armor crew members under military specific occupations and does not publish a separate growth rate for each specialty. However, the Military Careers overview indicates that overall demand for enlisted personnel is expected to stay relatively stable, depending mostly on defense policy and force structure decisions rather than market cycles.

For civilian life after service:

• New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that veterans in technical and tactical roles often transition into stable civilian employment, and that many earn solid wages in fields related to their military skills.
• Heavy equipment, transportation, logistics and security fields all have ongoing need for disciplined, mechanically skilled workers.

The exact number of armor positions may rise or fall as the military modernizes and adjusts its armored force structure. However, for people who are already in or just entering the military, there is a consistent requirement for trained crews as long as armored vehicles remain part of ground combat.

Advantages of an Armor Crew Career

People who like this career usually mention:

• Hands on work with impressive machines
  You operate some of the most advanced ground combat vehicles in the world.
• Strong team culture
  Tank crews often develop deep bonds from training and deployment together.
• Clear structure and progression
  You know what is required to promote and take on more responsibility.
• Transferable technical skills
  Mechanical, maintenance and leadership skills all carry over to civilian jobs.
• Sense of purpose
  You are on the front line of your nation’s ground combat capability.

Challenges and Risks

This path also has real drawbacks to consider:

• Physical strain
  Climbing on and off vehicles, lifting heavy rounds and working in armor can be hard on the body over time.
• Noise and environment
  Tanks are loud and can be very hot or cold. Hearing protection and safety discipline are essential.
• Risk of injury or combat exposure
  Armor units train for and may see combat. Although armor protection is strong, risk cannot be eliminated.
• Time away from home
  Field exercises and deployments mean weeks or months away from family and friends.

If you are honest with yourself about these challenges and still feel drawn to the role, that is a good sign.

Is This Career a Good Fit for You

An armor crew member role may be a strong fit if you:

• Love machines, tools and hands on work
• Prefer active, outdoor work to office life
• Enjoy being part of a small, tight knit team
• Are willing to commit to physical training and discipline
• Can follow safety procedures precisely
• Are comfortable with the idea of serving in a combat unit

If you are uncertain, it helps to use a structured career assessment to see how your natural motivations line up with this path.

Is this career a good fit for you
Take the free MAPP assessment at www.assessment.com to see how your unique motivations align with a career as an armor crew member and with other military and civilian options.

The MAPP assessment looks at what truly motivates you at work, which is especially useful in the military where you can choose between combat roles, technical specialties, medical fields, intelligence and more.

How To Get Started

1. Take the MAPP assessment
   Use your results to see whether combat and mechanical work fit your profile, or whether logistics, intelligence, medical or cyber roles might be a better match.
2. Research armor jobs in the branch you prefer
   Look up Armor Crew Member or similar roles on official sites, and read about the training pipeline and commitments.
3. Talk to a recruiter
   Ask specifically about:
   • Current demand for armor crew members
   • Duty stations where armor units are located
   • Deployment tempo and typical schedule
4. Prepare physically
   Train to meet or exceed physical fitness standards, including running, pushups, situps and ruck marching.
5. Think ahead to civilian transition
   Consider which certifications or college programs you might pursue while in service, to position yourself for mechanical, logistics or supervisory roles later.

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