At the rank of lieutenant, the officer should concentrate on developing leadership abilities and communicative, management, technical, and tactical skills. This is the stage where officers develop their basic foundation for the rest of their careers. If there is a limited leadership opportunity available within the Ordnance competencies in an officer's initial assignment, the officer should strive to seek to increase logistics knowledge within the Transportation or Quartermaster competencies and pursue an Ordnance-related position when available as a follow on assignment. In all assignments, lieutenants should concentrate on learning the basics of how the Army works, how to lead Soldiers, and how to maintain a motivated and positive outlook.

• During the first lieutenant years, the focus is on acquiring and refining troop-leading skills, Ordnance competencies, coordination abilities, and increasing logistics and administrative skills. Typical positions may include, but are not limited to, platoon leader, maintenance control officer, and company XO or detachment commander. Within 2 years of consideration for promotion to captain, RC officers should enroll and begin the RC CCC (Ordnance) and continue to hone troop leading procedures. Because all initial assignments are important, an officer should be primarily concerned with manner of performance, development of professional attributes, enthusiasm for the job, and demonstrate potential. Before promotion to captain, officers should possess an excellent knowledge of the Ordnance competencies and have basic knowledge of other logistics competencies.
• During the second lieutenant years, RC officers are required to complete Ordnance BOLC III and complete a bachelor's degree. Second lieutenants should strive to become technical and tactical experts by training with the WOs and senior enlisted Soldiers in their units. Second lieutenants must learn the intricacies of how to best lead and take care of troops to support their commands and manage the maintenance process, such as manage work order flow, common equipment failures and repair, repair parts management, and tracking work orders and parts status through automated systems.

Emphasis begins at the rank of Captain on achieving KD assignments, such as the privilege of commanding troops. Throughout this period, the officer continues to develop leadership, tactical, technical, and management skills. This foundation of knowledge is required to effectively serve as a leader at the company and battalion level. Captains gain a working knowledge of command principles, battalion-level staff operations, and logistical operations at the battalion to brigade levels.

• For promotion to the rank of captain, a bachelor's degree is required. Officers will complete the RC CCC (Ordnance). Additionally, it is recommended they complete the Support Operations Course (SOC) to prepare captains for the transition into the Logistics branch. Prior to enrolling in ILE, officers must complete the combined arms exercise (CAX). The CAX prepares officers for staff duties at the battalion or higher levels.
• Captains should seek the responsibility of commanding troops. When not in command, typically captains will occupy assignments as battalion staff officers, battalion-level primary staff officers, training division staff officers, JFHQ staff officers, or school instructors.
• Captains should continue to gain an in-depth understanding of logistics operations and become proficient in other Ordnance competencies, if they have not the opportunity to do so. The Associate Theater Logistics (ATLog) Studies Program, advanced maintenance or supply courses, Reserve Component Theater Sustainment Course, Support Operations Course Phase I and II, or an advanced degree in engineering, physical science, business, or logistics management all contribute to the Ordnance officer's professional development. However, job performance, completion of KD assignment requirements, and logistics experience are required to prepare the officer for advancement to the next grade.

At the rank of major, an officer is focused on developing upper level staff skills, completing KD assignments, and successfully completing the ILE course. Majors must complete at least 50 percent of ILE before they will be considered eligible for promotion to lieutenant colonel. Majors should also seek higher logistics education programs, such as ATLog Studies Program, and the Reserve Component Theater Sustainment Course. Majors should seek multifunctional logistics battalion XO, S3, materiel management officer, support operations officer, materiel officer, and brigade S4 positions. Majors should continue self-development efforts to become expert in Ordnance competencies and other logistics competencies and understanding of Joint and combined operations. Self-development should include correspondence courses, civilian education, and institutional training. Officers should devote time to a professional reading program to broaden their war fighting perspective.

At the rank of lieutenant colonel, an officer's should focus on successfully completing lieutenant colonel-level command and/or serving in key multifunctional logistics headquarters staff positions. Educational opportunities include the ATLog Studies Program, and the Reserve Component Theater Sustainment Course. Lieutenant colonel career objectives:

• Complete a pre-command course (PCC) when selected for battalion command.
• Key assignments include battalion commander of a multifunctional logistics, ammunition, or EOD battalion; key staff in sustainment brigades; maintenance division chief at USAR command headquarters; Joint Staff in a state command; director for maintenance at area readiness support groups; deputy assistant chief of staff materiel; materiel maintenance officer; plans officer at a materiel management center; or maintenance evaluation team leader at a training division.
• Officers should complete resident RC or advanced distributed learning (ADL) ILE. Officers should further their military education by enrolling in courses like the RC National Security Course.

At the rank of colonel, officers should have a broad background in multifunctional logistics with highly developed skills in materiel management. Colonel career objectives include the following: successfully complete colonel-level command of a group or activity — if selected and serve on a general staff. Officers must attend the Senior Service College (SSC) or enroll in the AWC Distance Education Course. Completion of 50 percent of ILE is a requirement for promotion to colonel.