The United States Army is the largest military service branch. It has many sub-branches that work together to protect the country and its citizens.

Each sub-branch offers numerous career paths that provide opportunities for career progression, professional training, and leadership development. If you want to join the Army, knowing your career possibilities isi mportant.

In this article, we at Hire G.I. will take a deeper look at what is Military Occupational Specialty or MOS,its determination process in the military, and how you can choose one.

What is a MOS?

MOS, or military occupational specialty, refers to the jobs or roles available to service members across all military branches. With over10,000 distinct MOS available across all military branches, they provide an analogy for college majors.

As with different college majors, some MOS are highly specialized, while others are more generalized. Additionally, while some MOS are exclusively applicable to military service, others, such as those related to healthcare, IT, maintenance, administration, and logistics, are already used in the civilian sector.

Each MOS has an associated military code number, with the code consisting of nine characters in the Marine Corps and US Army. The US Navy uses the Navy Enlisted Classification and Naval Rating systems. In contrast,the US Air Force uses its unique Air Force Specialty Codes system. The US Coast Guard also uses its rating system.

MOS is categorized into different fields or branches known as CMFs or career management fields. MOS with the same first two code numbers belongs to the same category, followed by a letter that outlines the given task.

A service member may have the training to possess multiple MOS. However, a DMOS or duty military occupational specialty is used to identify a person's primary employment.

MOS Determination in the Military

To enroll in military service with a MOS, candidates must pass the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB. The exam results are used to determine a new enlistee's cognitive abilities and identify the military occupational specialties (MOSs) they are most qualified.

Each branch of the military uses MOS capability area scores in conjunction with ASVAB results to establish the minimum requirements for each MOS. Recruiters from the department can answer any questions potential soldiers have about the various positions they are eligible for and what opportunities are available for each MOS.

When signing their enrollment contract, new recruits can choose from a list of MOSs. Following selection, they must complete the appropriate training for their chosen specialty. Enlistment bonuses may be available depending on the need for soldiers in a particular MOS.

Tips for Choosing a Good Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

Choosing a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is a vital process. Your MOS will determine your job, the training you'll receive, and the career opportunities available to you. Here are some important factors you should consider:

Study For ASVAB

You must pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam quickly if you have your eyes set on a high-speed MOS. The exam consists of ten subtests that assess your knowledge across various subject areas, revealing your talent in technical and academic fields.

The areas covered include object assembling (AO), mechanical comprehension (MC), shop information (SI), auto information (AI), electronics information (EI), mathematics knowledge (MK), paragraph comprehension (PC),word knowledge (WK), arithmetic reasoning (AR), and general science (GS).

To determine eligibility for enlistment, your AFQT score is taken into consideration. Your eligibility for various career options will depend on a combination of the remaining test elements.

Before attempting the ASVAB, you should obtain a study guide. Many resources are available online and in bookstores catering to different learning styles. These can help you prepare for the exam.

Inquire About Job Shadowing

If you want a job in a particular military field, it's worth inquiring about job shadowing with your recruiter. Job shadowing will allow you to see directly what duties you would have if you joined that military occupational specialty (MOS). This firsthand experience can help you gain more insight into the MOS.

You can ask any questions that may have been left unanswered during previous discussions with your recruiter. However, job shadowing isn't always possible due to various factors, such as how close a military base is or the security clearance.

But you can still ask your recruiter to connect you with an individual who holds the MOS you want. You can speak with them via mobile or email them to learn more about their experience.

Be Careful of “Dead-End” Mos

It's essential to clearly understand "dead-end"MOS positions in the military, as they also have limited opportunities for advancement in rank and training. Like any job market, the military is no exception regarding career advancement prospects.

Your recruiter can offer guidance on the career advancement potential for each MOS but don't hesitate to do some research of your own.Taking the extra step to research can help you make sound decisions about your future career.

Examine the Inter-Service Mos Availability

Those who are joining the active-duty component don't have to worry about this. But, those who are thinking about joining the reserves or the National Guard should find out what MOS positions are open in their area.They should do this before determining which one they want to join.

Consider Sustainability When Choosing a MOS in the Military

When choosing MOS in the military, it's important to think about the long term. This is particularly important for sustainability.

Selecting a MOS with the potential for cross-training is a good idea, as many of them will provide you with transferable skills applicable

to civilian jobs in the same industry. Cross-training, for example, can enable you to be proficient in one sector. But it can also provide the opportunity to develop or enhance new skills.

In the long run, it might be relevant in various industries after transitioning to civilian life. Thinking about sustainability will assist you in taking a long-term outlook when planning your career after leaving the military.

Conclusion

The MOS system is an important part of the US military's structure. It has a significant role in ensuring that the military functions effectively. MOS provides soldiers with the necessary training, knowledge, and skills required to accomplish their mission. It also helps assign personnel to roles and positions appropriate to their abilities.

After reading this article, we hope you now better underst and the military occupational specialty (MOS) system in the US military.

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