A Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is a job classification in use in the U. S. Army and the U. S. Marine Corps. In the U. S. Air Force, a system of AFSC (Air Force Specialty Codes) are used. In the U. S. Navy, a system of "ratings" are used. The system uses a system of letters and numbers to identify the job of personnel. Different branches of the military use different alphanumeric systems, but all differentiate between enlisted personnel, Warrant officers, and Commissioned officers.
Air Force AFSC
For more information, please see the List of U. S. Air Force AFSC.
Enlisted personnel
The U. S. Air Force structures its AFSC designations in a 5-digit alphanumeric pattern (e.g., 2M0X1). The first digit is a "Career Group designator and ranges from 1 to 9 (from Operations to Special Reporting Identifiers). The second digit (alphabetic) designates the "Career Field" (e.g., 1A is Aircraft Operations). The third digit (numeric) indicates the career field subdivision (the specific job). The fourth digit indicates the skill level of the person ranging from 1 to 9 ("helper" to "superintendent"). The final digit is a numerical designator for even more specific jobs. For example, the AFSC 1N351 means that the person in question is in the Career Group of Operations (1), the Career Field of Intelligence (1N), is a Crypographic Linguist (1N3), is at a "Journeyman" level of skill (1N35), and is specifically a Germanic Crypotgraphic Linguist.
Commissioned Officers
Commissioned Officers in the Air Force are desgnated by a four digit system. The first two digits represent "Career Field" (ranging from 11 - Pilot Field to 8XX - Special Duty). The third digit indicates a specialty sub-field. For example, in field 11 (Pilot), the Subfield B indicates a Bomber pilot. The fourth digit indicates rank/level of experience (ranging from 1 - Student to 4 - Staff).
Army MOS
NOTE: The U. S. Army is currently restructuring its designations. Major changes have been made and will continue to be made into 2007.
For more information, please see the List of U. S. Army MOS.
Enlisted personnel
The U. S. Army sperates occupational specialties into "Occupational Fields" ranging from 11 to 98 (Intantry to Communications Intelligence). Inside of the Occupational Field designation, it lists pertinant MOS codes in a 3-digit alphanumeric system. For example, in the Occupational Field 31 (Law Enforcement) there are 3 MOS codes: 31B (Military Police), 31D (Criminal Investigation Special Agent), and 31E (Corrections Specialist).
Within each MOS, there is a ranking of "Skill Levels". These designate the different jobs that are assigned with rank in that MOS. For example, in the 31B (Military Police) MOS, there are 5 Skill Levels ranging from #1 (team member - most junior) to #5 (Staff supervision, Planning - most senior).
Commissioned Officers
In regards to Commissioned Officers, occupational codes are structured a bit differently. A new Army officer first receives his/her "Career Branch". This is similar to the Occupational Fields of the enlisted personnel. They range from 11 to 68 (Infantry to Medical Service Corps). Inside of their Occupational Field, there are usually several codes available. For example, in Field 12 (Armor) there are 3 specialties available: 12A (Armor, General), 12B (Armor), and 12C (Cavalry). After an Officer's fifth or sixth year of service, he/she will receive a "Functional Area" designation. More broad than a "Career Branch", this is a general skill set that the Officer is proficient in. For example, an Artillery Officer who has had schooling in communications and public speaking could end up with a Functional Area in Public Affairs (designated number 46).
Marine Corps MOS
The U. S. Marine Corps begins by seperating all jobs into "Occupational Fields" (OccFld) where no distinction is made between Officers and Enlisted personnel. These are numbered from 01 to 99 and include general categories (Infantry, Logistics, Public Affairs, Ordnance, etc.) that specific jobs fall under. In each Occupational Field, several MOS are present, each designated by a four-digit numerical indicator and a Job title. For example, in the Infantry Field (03), there are seven enlisted specialties: Rifleman (MOS 0311), LAV Crewman (MOS 0313), Reconnaissance Man (MOS 0321), Mortarman (MOS 0341), Assaultman (MOS 0351), Antitank Assault Guided Missileman (MOS 0352), and Infantry Unit Leader (MOS 0369). Each of the aforementioned jobs have "Authorized Ranks" associated with them. For example, anyone raking from Private to Sergeant can be a Rifleman (0311) while only personnel ranking from Staff Sergeant to Master Gunnery Sergeant can be a Infantry Unit Leader (0369).
Duties and tasks are identified by grade since the Marine Corps MOS system is designed around the belief that increased duties and tasks accompany promotions. The first two digits designate the OccFld and the last two digits identify the promotional channel and specialty. For example, the MOS 0311 indicates that it is in Occupational Field 03 (Infantry) and designates the "Rifleman" (11) MOS. For Warrant Officers, the MOS 2305 indicates that it is in Occupational Field 23 (Ammunition and Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and designates the "Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer" (05) MOS. For Officers, the MOS 0802 idicates that it is in Occupational Field 08 (Field Artillery) and designates the "Field Artillery Officer" (02) MOS.
For more information, please see the List of U. S. Marine Corps MOS.
Navy Ratings
For more information, please see the List of U. S. Navy Ratings.
Enlisted Personnel
The U.S. Navy designates its "Ratings" by a two or three digit alphabetical code. It ranges from ABE (Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Equipment) to YN (Yeoman - Submarine).
Commissioned Officers
There is no information on U. S. Navy Commissioned Officers at this time.
External links
- about.com: U.S. Army Enlisted Job Descriptions & Qualifications
- U.S. Army Publications: 611 Series Collection - including Pamphlet 611-21 which lists the different U.S. Army MOS.