I can't talk about an Infantry Officer job, but an Armoured Officer spends more time behind the desk, then behind the controls. The only "field" time we see is when we do a Brigade Ex, or build up training for a tour.
after training here is what to expect from Armoured O
1-3 years at the Regt, as a Troop Leader (if you are lucky) for 1 -2 years, the 3rd being an Administrative roll, i.e. AO for a Sqn
then posted to ? If you do Gagetown or Wainwright, you might get more field time, as you will be constantly teaching on courses, maybe some of the pers who are at the Armour School on this site can elaborate their field time, but I can tell you they are short manned and do allot of field time, more prevalent for the NCM's though!
After posting back to Regt, come back as a Battle Captain, or Sqn 2 I/C depending on your experience, mostly desk work though! Then posted again to ?
and except for courses or tours most of your time will be spent at a desk. Its the nature of the beast.
We also have Int O's at my regiment it is handled by a new Lt or 2Lt (yes Armoured) they put them through the combat int course first, but don't be fooled, it is all desk type work! except for the field (if you go) but even then you are pretty much a duty O in the CP.
Also for your knowledge, right now and for the next year, we have an abundance of young Officers, and another 24 slated for EACH Regiment next summer (we just had our career manager brief) so that is a shitload, seeing as we used to get like 5 or 6 at the end of summer from the phase 4. So because of the influx, you might not get any Troop leading time, or your Troop leading time might be spent in Wainwright, in charge of of enemy force for 6 months, like some of the people that are doing it (from all 3 Regiments) now.
So basically if a desk job is not what you are looking for this might not be the career for you. Some of the new guys are realizing that now! I mean it is cool to blow crap up, but it can be few and far between, for Armour Officers at least!