It is at the grade of captain where emphasis begins to be placed on achieving branch qualification. Throughout this period the officer continues to develop leadership, tactical, technical and management skills. These tasks provide the foundation of knowledge required to effectively serve in the branch as a leader at the company and battalion level in all aspects of Ordnance operation and in leading Ordnance soldiers. All officers should seek opportunities in all of the commodities available to them in the Ordinance Corps, for example officers who have worked ammunition should seek opportunity in the maintenance areas. Captains gain a working knowledge of command principles, battalion level staff operations, and Ordnance operations at the battalion to brigade levels.
Some FAs have extensive educational requirements.
A limited number of officers will be accessed into the Army Acquisition Corps. However, job performance, completion of branch qualification requirements and logistics experience are required to achieve branch qualification. Self-development should include correspondence courses, civilian education and institutional training. Officers should devote time to a professional reading program to broaden their warfighting perspective. For branch qualification a major must have successfully completed at least one Ordnance assignment of at least 12 months in duration.