Captains gain a working knowledge of command principles, battalion level staff operations and combined arms and Finance operations at the battalion to brigade levels. Active duty branch qualified captains can expect other assignments consistent with the needs of the Army. Functional area positions. Officers compete for a very limited allocation as a branch qualified captain during years seven through 11 in the Finance branch career life cycle. The needs of the Army, officer preference, military experience and, in some cases, civil schooling determine their functional area.
Some FAs have extensive educational requirements.
Between the 7th and 8th years of service, a limited number of Finance Corps officers will be accessed into the Army Acquisition Corps where they will serve the remainder of their careers. A branch transfer permanently changes an officer's branch and can either be voluntary or involuntary. It is the decision process behind the voluntary requests that many officers do not understand, and they are often caught by surprise when their requests are disapproved. It is always possible to request an exception to policy when the basic eligibility requirements have not been met. However, requests may be returned without action if they lack justification.