Free Sample
The Complete Guide to Becoming An Armored Assault Vehicle Crew Member
The real pay, the real path, and the real day-to-day of driving, gunning, and commanding armored vehicles—so you can decide if this is your future or not.
by Alumigogo Books
Chapter 1: What Does a Armored Assault Vehicle Crew Member Actually Do?
When you picture an armored assault vehicle, you probably see a hulking steel machine tearing across a field and firing a massive cannon. That is a real part of the job, and it is a rush that very few people ever get to experience. But to be clear from the start: that moment is maybe five percent of what you actually do. The other ninety-five percent is maintenance, preparation, driving, communicating, and repeating drills until they become reflexes.
As an Armored Assault Vehicle Crew Member, your official title depends on your branch of service. The U.S. Army calls you a 19K (M1 Armor Crewman), and the U.S. Marine Corps calls you an 1833 (Assault Amphibious Vehicle Crewman). Your job is to operate and fight a heavily armored vehicle. In the Army, that is the M1 Abrams main battle tank. In the Marines, it is the AAV-7, a tracked amphibious vehicle that moves troops from ship to shore. The job titles and vehicles differ, but the core of the work is the same: you live, work, and fight inside a very small, very loud metal box.
Your specific duties depend on which of the three seats you occupy: driver, gunner, or vehicle commander. Your path usually starts with one role and evolves over time. You will not start at the top. You will start as a loader or a driver, and you will prove yourself before you ever get