What does being a tank commander incorporate?

Question

I'm considering the army. I was wondering what you would do as a tank commander? Whats the role.

Answer 1

Joining the Army as an enlisted soldier you will start out as a driver or a loader.  When you become an NCO (E-5/Sergeant ((2-to 4 years)) you will be a gunner. You have to attain the rank of E6 (Staff Sergeant ((4 to six years)) to become a tank commander.  In some rare cases when a unit is low on personal a E-5 may fill the role as a tank commander until the unit gets an E-6.  As an Officer, 2nd Lieutenant, you will start off your career as a tank commander and platoon leader.  Now to actually answer your question:

A tank commander's primary purpose is to coordinate the efforts of the crew to effectively shoot, move, and communicate.  He takes orders from the Platoon Leader or Platoon Sergeant, directs his driver to maneuver the tank to where it needs to go, establishes sectors to scan, issues fire commands to the gunner that tell him or verify what the target is and what type of round or weapon system to use.  The loader loads the type of ammo that was specified in the fire command and arms the main gun.

There is a lot more to it but this is just the basics.