Tank crewmen are professional servicemen who serve in tank, armour, or mechanised infantry units as well as in tank repair units of land forces.

It is known that tank units were created at the beginning of the 20th century and still remain the main assault force of land forces. Tanks are designed for the destruction of enemy tanks, IFVs, armoured carriers, vehicles, armoured hardware, artillery, enforced structures and manpower, as well as for carrying out marches and force crossing of rivers, digging trenches during battles, protecting the tank crew from chemical and radiological attacks. Tanks can serve as portable command stations for platoon, company, battalion or regiment commanders, provide communication through its radio station, carry out direct fires, assist the artillery, carry out camouflaging when in defence with the help of smoke grenades, can be used for troop transportation and demining purposes. In addition, tank units are designed to break through the adversary defence, as well as to destroy low-flying aircraft, helicopters and drones with its machine guns.

In the past, tank crews composed four or five people; today’s tanks have crews of three soldiers: the tank commander, the gunman and the mechanic-driver who perform all basic roles. This is why tank crews usually comprise physically strong men with good eyesight and hearing.

The exploitation of modern tanks and their operation in battles requires that tank crewmen have knowledge in electronics, computer technology, hydraulics, theoretical mechanics, metal theories, repair skills as well as special tactical skills.

• military education or special training;
• excellent physical shape and mental abilities;
• stress-resistant,
• good vision and hearing;
• knowledge of science and computer basics.

Administration of tank units

• Tank platoon commander, if a graduate of a military educational institution as a tank crewman.
• Tank commander, if selected to serve in a tank unit; should have certain technical knowledge and organisational skills.
• An officer who has graduated from the Omsk Tank Engineering Institute of Russia is assigned as a vice commander of armaments in a tank company, or as a specialist in a repair unit.

Properly servicing the tank and maintaining its combat readiness

• The tank’s engine, chassis, cannon, ammunition, machine guns, divisions, electrical equipment, all systems, including special equipment and displays should be serviced and in running condition at all times.
• The tank should always be ready to join the battle any moment, fire,  or move to another position.

Performing combat missions

• Using a powerful military machine in a battle, the commander of the tank should bravely and skilfully direct the crew, use the radio equipment correctly, perform the marking, assist the crew members.
• The gunner should fire accurately and hit all targets; he should detect the adversary the first and open fire.
• The mechanic-driver should drive the tank skilfully, manoeuvring to dodge the adversary fire, get to the place in a concealed way and abruptly attack the adversary; in the absence of a commander or a gunner, he should replace them.

Ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the tank

• In order to keep the tank in operating condition, it must be constantly serviced, and all detected technical problems should be eliminated.
• The crew should have relevant technical knowledge in addition to the driving and firing skills, as well as skills to use tank repairing tools.

Identifying and reporting the problems

• If the tank has defects or damages that cannot be eliminated by the means available, the superior command should be informed so the problem can be resolved by the intervention of  specialists.
• If the tank’s crew is capable of repairing a defect on its own, they should do it.

Participating in combat operations

• The tank units of the Armenian Armed Forces began their combat history during the Artsakh War. Despite the fact that they were few in number at the beginning of the war, they fought heroically and destroyed the enemy that was four times larger.
• Our present generation of tank crewmen showed their heroic image during the April War: The soldiers of Lt. Col. Martik Jhangiryan  stopped the fierce attack of the enemy tanks; Capt. Arman Adamyan and Sen. Lt. Roman Adamyan hit two tanks of the enemy, and were awarded with the Battle Cross Orders, and Sgt. Aragats Abrahamyan hit the enemy T-90, which is considered one of the  best tanks in the world. In April 2016, Sen. Lt. Beniamin Yeghoyan fell as hero.

 Hamazasp Babajanyan, Chief Marshal of Armoured Troops. In 1929, Babajanyan, serving in the 7th Caucasian Regiment, fought against unlawful armed gangs and suppressed them. In November 1943, Marshal Babajanyan's armoured subdivisions attacked from Stalingrad and deepened into the defence line of the Germans by as far as 12 km, and this breakthrough became the beginning of a large-scale attack along the entire front.

If you want a career of a tank crewman, get relevant education in a specialised educational institution or join the Armenian Armed Forces:

• To get an officer’s rank and a bachelor's degree, apply to Vazgen Sargsyan Military University, Department of Combined Arms, Chair of Automobiles, Cycle of Fight Vehicles.
• Tank Engineering Institute of Omsk, Russia.