I'm really interested in the Abrams Tank but I hold a height of 6 ft. 3 in. Will this be a problem for me?

I had a roommate who was 6'4, so I don't think so. Except you'll be bumping your head a lot in the turret until you get use to the tank.

quote:

Originally posted by engracio:
I had a roommate who was 6'4, so I don't think so. Except you'll be bumping your head a lot in the turret until you get use to the tank.

Ok for sure, so basically no big worries then. You think you can tell me a little about the M1 Abrams Tank? I want to choose this as my MOS after I complete the ASVAB.

Thank you very much.

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Originally posted by 21208015:

quote:

Originally posted by engracio:
I had a roommate who was 6'4, so I don't think so. Except you'll be bumping your head a lot in the turret until you get use to the tank.

Ok for sure, so basically no big worries then. You think you can tell me a little about the M1 Abrams Tank? I want to choose this as my MOS after I complete the ASVAB.

Thank you very much.

As a former Army recruiter, the name of the game is qualification. You qualify, job available (19K? yea right, always available) you got the job. As far as what is tanking all about. Browse thru the forum and many tankers have already said it. You got question, spit it out. Most tankers have failed the mind reading class. Personally took it 3x times, still failed it.

quote:

Originally posted by engracio:

quote:

Originally posted by 21208015:

quote:

Originally posted by engracio:
I had a roommate who was 6'4, so I don't think so. Except you'll be bumping your head a lot in the turret until you get use to the tank.

Ok for sure, so basically no big worries then. You think you can tell me a little about the M1 Abrams Tank? I want to choose this as my MOS after I complete the ASVAB.

Thank you very much.

As a former Army recruiter, the name of the game is qualification. You qualify, job available (19K? yea right, always available) you got the job. As far as what is tanking all about. Browse thru the forum and many tankers have already said it. You got question, spit it out. Most tankers have failed the mind reading class. Personally took it 3x times, still failed it.

HAHA, yeah my dad was in the U.S. Army from 71-74 and he was tank commander over in Amberg, Germany. Since I was little he would tell me stories about him and his crew driving the tank. Ever since then I've been fascinated with them. That is why, when I join the U.S. Army in a few months, I want 19K as my MOS. I've seen the Abrams on TV and loved it ever since. Thanks for the info.

Hang around, seems like a bunch of 2nd ACR guys from Amberg lurk around here. Some might even know your dad. Never know.

quote:

Originally posted by engracio:
Hang around, seems like a bunch of 2nd ACR guys from Amberg lurk around here. Some might even know your dad. Never know.

Oh yup, That's pretty tight. It'd be nice to meet someone who knew my dad. So you are you making the Army your full time careear? If you are, I'll probably be there in a year or so.

quote:

Originally posted by 21208015:

quote:

Originally posted by engracio:
Hang around, seems like a bunch of 2nd ACR guys from Amberg lurk around here. Some might even know your dad. Never know.

Oh yup, That's pretty tight. It'd be nice to meet someone who knew my dad. So you are you making the Army your full time careear? If you are, I'll probably be there in a year or so.

Ahhh, I think if you check my profile I've done that already. Been out since the 90's

quote:

Originally posted by engracio:

quote:

Originally posted by 21208015:

quote:

Originally posted by engracio:
Hang around, seems like a bunch of 2nd ACR guys from Amberg lurk around here. Some might even know your dad. Never know.

Oh yup, That's pretty tight. It'd be nice to meet someone who knew my dad. So you are you making the Army your full time careear? If you are, I'll probably be there in a year or so.

Ahhh, I think if you check my profile I've done that already. Been out since the 90's

Oh haha my mistake. Thanks anyways.

quote:

Originally posted by 21208015:
I'm really interested in the Abrams Tank but I hold a height of 6 ft. 3 in. Will this be a problem for me?

Bulk is more of a problem than height. If you're 6'3" 300lb forget it. If your 180lb, you'll be okay. Hatches aren't that big. drive and gunner positions are not wide, but you can curl up a bit.

quote:

Originally posted by greywolfghost:

quote:

Originally posted by 21208015:
I'm really interested in the Abrams Tank but I hold a height of 6 ft. 3 in. Will this be a problem for me?

Bulk is more of a problem than height. If you're 6'3" 300lb forget it. If your 180lb, you'll be okay. Hatches aren't that big. drive and gunner positions are not wide, but you can curl up a bit.

Well, to be honest my height is 6 ft. 3 in. and I weigh in about 237lbs. I know I need to drop to 217lbs. before my visit to MEPS. Would I still be qualified to fit in one? haha

You're about the same size as my old driver in Germany (M60A3 and M1), Woodward - aka 'Big Woodie'.

He had no problems, other than once he got into the driver's hole he didn't want to get out.

quote:

Originally posted by JamesBMyers:
You're about the same size as my old driver in Germany (M60A3 and M1), Woodward - aka 'Big Woodie'.

He had no problems, other than once he got into the driver's hole he didn't want to get out.

HAHA That's a funny story to remember. Well thanks for the word of advice, when I talk to my recruiter today I'm going to tell him I'm choosing 19K as my MOS. Thanks again!

If a 6'10", 250lb MP can sit in the Gunner's turret of an up-armored HMMWV and the non-adjustable driver's seat (back, not forward), then I think you OP will have no problems in a Tank, which, even though it is cramped to begin with, might just have more room than a Humvee, especially an up-armored one. A heck of a lot safer to.

quote:

Originally posted by professormatt:
If a 6'10", 250lb MP can sit in the Gunner's turret of an up-armored HMMWV and the non-adjustable driver's seat (back, not forward), then I think you OP will have no problems in a Tank, which, even though it is cramped to begin with, might just have more room than a Humvee, especially an up-armored one. A heck of a lot safer to.

For Real? Thats good news for me. Can I ask you something? Is the M1 Abrams bigger or smaller than the tanks used in the past?

Can't tell you that for absolutely certain. The Abrams weighs several tons more than an M-60, which is probably because of more armor, so I don't think the interior would have shrunk much. If you can get into today's smaller compact cars, like a Neon or small Chevy, and drive - then you can fit in the gunner or driver compartment of a tank. I wasn't tall but I had broad shoulder and chest (48"), so the loader and driver hatches seemd small and I felt a little snug in the gunner hole between the breach guard and the turret side, but I usually leaned hard against the breach guard to stay stable anyway - so the closeness was kind of an advantage - -

Typical gunners position. Note breech guard grate on left...







Typical drivers positon - may even be more roomy than M-60, cuz I hear you don't have 15 rounds of main gun ammunition on either side of you any more, because of explosion hazzard - -

What vehicle is that in the last pic (driver's hole)? Not an M1, unless they've completely redesigned it.

Nice keyring, btw.

Because of the clutch pedal, I'd say Leopard - -

Abrams - -

It's a Leopard 2A4.
Backtracked the link to the Dutch 43rd Tank Batallion's website (43tankbataljon.nl). Click on the "Foto's binnenzijde Leopard 2A4 tank." link and there you are.