United States military occupation code
Encyclopedia
A United States military occupation code, or a Military Occupational Specialty code (MOS), is a nine character code used in the United States Army
and United States Marines to identify a specific job. In the U.S. Air Force
, a system of Air Force Specialty Code
s (AFSC) is used. In the United States Navy
, a system of naval ratings and designators is used along with Navy Enlisted Classification
(NEC) system.
DMOS is an abbreviation for Duty Military Occupational Specialty. Since any individual can obtain multiple job specialties, DMOS is used to identify what their primary job function is at any given time. MOSQ is an abbreviation for Military Occupational Specialty Qualification. An individual is not MOSQ’d until they have completed and passed all required training for that MOS.
The elements of the MOSC are as follows:
When promoted from Master Sergeant or First Sergeant or Sergeant Major to Command Sergeant Major, that soldier will be reclassified administratively from their previous "Senior Sergeant" MOS to the MOS 00Z (zero-zero-zulu), "Sergeant Major".
are sometimes specialized technicians and systems managers, and were not originally assigned to traditional arms or services of the Army. Approximately 50% of warrant officers are rotary wing aviators (helicopter pilots), and can be appointed directly from civilian applicants or within the service, regardless of previous enlisted MOS. The remaining 50% are technicians appointed from experienced enlisted soldiers and NCOs in a "feeder" MOS directly related to the warrant officer MOS.
During 2004, all Army warrant officers began wearing the insignia of their specialty's proponent branch rather than the 83-year old "Eagle Rising" distinctive warrant officer insignia. The following year a revision of Commissioned Officer Professional Development And Career Management integrated Warrant Officer Career Development with the Officer Career Development model. In practice, warrant officer MOSC are very similar to enlisted codes except they begin with three digits instead of two before the first letter, and do not have a "skill level" identifier. They are then followed by the SQI, ASI, and SLI as an enlisted MOS would.
Each field contains multiple MOS's, each designated by a four-digit numerical indicator and a job title. For example, the infantry field (03) has nine enlisted classifications: Rifleman (MOS 0311
), Riverine Assault Craft (MOS 0312), Light Armored Vehicle Crewman (MOS 0313), Reconnaissance Man (MOS 0321), Machine Gunner (MOS 0331
), Mortarman (MOS 0341
), Assaultman (MOS 0351), Antitank Assault Guided Missileman (MOS 0352), and Infantry Unit Leader (MOS 0369
).
Each of the jobs have authorized ranks associated with them. For example, anyone ranking from Private to Sergeant can be a Rifleman (0311), but only Marines ranking from Staff Sergeant to Master Gunnery Sergeant can be an Infantry Unit Leader (0369).
Duties and tasks are identified by rank because the Marine Corps MOS system is designed around the belief that increased duties and tasks accompany promotions. The first two digits designate the field 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 indicates that it is in Occupational Field 08 (Field Artillery) and designates the "Field Artillery Officer" (02) MOS.
does not use the Military Occupational Specialty as Marines and Army normally do, but instead uses their own variant, Navy Enlisted Classification
or NEC. The U.S. Navy divides their occupational specialties into ratings for enlisted personnel and designators for officers.
and Chief Petty Officer
wears a rating badge indicating their rating as part of their rate (rank) insignia on full dress and service dress uniforms.
anti-submarine warfare helicopter pilot, or DB4, F-14 fighter pilot. An officer designated 2100, Medical Corps Officer (physician
) may hold an AQD of 6CM, Trauma Surgeon, or 6AE, Flight Surgeon
who is also a Naval Aviator. Some AQDs may be possessed by officers in any designator, such as BT2, Freefall Parachutist, or BS1, Shipboard Tomahawk Strike Officer. Navy officer designators and AQD codes may be found in NAVPERS 15839I, The Manual of Navy Officer Manpower and Personnel Classification.
does not use the Military Occupational Specialty as Marines and Army normally do. The U.S. Coast Guard divides their occupational specialties into groups such as the Aviation Group and Administrative and Scientific Group.
and Chief Petty Officer
wears a rating badge indicating their rating as part of their rate (rank) insignia on full dress and service dress uniforms.
digit code, and Officers have a four digit code.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and United States Marines to identify a specific job. In the U.S. Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, a system of Air Force Specialty Code
Air Force Specialty Code
The Air Force Specialty Code is an alphanumeric code used by the United States Air Force to identify an Air Force Specialty . Officer AFSCs consist of four characters and enlisted AFSCs consist of five characters. A letter prefix or suffix may be used with an AFSC when more specific identification...
s (AFSC) is used. In the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, a system of naval ratings and designators is used along with Navy Enlisted Classification
Navy Enlisted Classification
The Navy Enlisted Classification system supplements the rating designators for enlisted members of the United States Navy. A naval rating and NEC designator are similar to the Military Occupational Specialty designators used in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps and the Air Force Specialty Code ...
(NEC) system.
DMOS is an abbreviation for Duty Military Occupational Specialty. Since any individual can obtain multiple job specialties, DMOS is used to identify what their primary job function is at any given time. MOSQ is an abbreviation for Military Occupational Specialty Qualification. An individual is not MOSQ’d until they have completed and passed all required training for that MOS.
Army
For the most current list of Army Military Occupational Specialty Codes you should visit the US Army Human Resource Command (HRC) PAMXXI WebsiteArmy enlisted personnel
The MOS code (MOSC), consisting of nine characters, provides more defined information than a soldier's MOS. It is used by automated management systems and reports. The MOSC is used with active and reserve records, reports, authorization documents, and other personnel management systems.The elements of the MOSC are as follows:
- First three characters: The MOS. The first two characters are always a number, the third character is always a letter. The two-digit number is usually (but not always) synonymous with the Career Management Field (CMF). For example, CMF 11 covers infantry, so MOS 11B is "Rifle Infantryman". Among the letters, "Z" is reserved for "Senior Sergeant" (E-8), such that 11Z is "Infantry Senior Sergeant".
- The fourth character of the MOSC represents skill level (commensurate with rank and grade):
- 0 is used to identify personnel undergoing training for award of a primary MOS (PMOS).
- 1 identifies a PrivatePrivate (rank)A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
(PVT) through SpecialistSpecialist (rank)Specialist is one of the four junior enlisted ranks in the U.S. Army, just above Private First Class and equivalent in pay grade to Corporal. Unlike Corporals, Specialists are not considered junior non-commissioned officers...
(SPC/Pay Grade E-4) or CorporalCorporalCorporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
(CPL/also Pay Grade E-4) - 2 identifies a SergeantSergeantSergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
(SGT/Pay Grade E-5) - 3 identifies a Staff SergeantStaff SergeantStaff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...
(SSG/Pay Grade E-6) - 4 identifies a Sergeant First ClassSergeant First ClassSergeant First Class is the seventh enlisted rank in the U.S. Army, above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant and First Sergeant, and is the first senior non-commissioned officer rank...
(SFC/Pay Grade E-7) - 5 identifies a Master SergeantMaster SergeantA master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in some armed forces.-Israel Defense Forces:Rav samal rishoninsignia IDF...
(MSG), First SergeantFirst SergeantFirst sergeant is the name of a military rank used in many countries, typically a senior non-commissioned officer.-Singapore:First Sergeant is a Specialist in the Singapore Armed Forces. First Sergeants are the most senior of the junior Specialists, ranking above Second Sergeants, and below Staff...
(1SG), Sergeant MajorSergeant MajorSergeants major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. In Commonwealth countries, Sergeants Major are usually appointments held by senior non-commissioned officers or warrant officers...
(SGM) or Command Sergeant Major (CSM) (see E-8, below).
- Fifth character: A letter or number and a special Qualification identifier (SQI). It may be associated with any MOS unless otherwise specified. Soldiers without any special SQI are assigned the SQI "O" (oscar), often confused as a zero.
- Sixth and seventh characters: An additional skill identifier (ASI). They are an alphanumeric combination and may only be associated with specified MOSs, although in practice some ASIs are available to every MOS (e.g. ASI P5 for "master fitness trainer"). Soldiers without any ASIs are assigned the default ASI "00" (zero-zero).
- Eighth and ninth characters: Two-letter requirements and qualifications which are a language identification code (LIC). Soldiers without a language skill are assigned the default LIC "YY" (Yankee-Yankee). LIC codes can be found in AR 611-6.
MOSC for E-8 and above
When an enlisted soldier is promoted from Sergeant First Class to Master Sergeant in most career types, that soldier will be reclassified administratively to the "Senior Sergeant" of their Career Management Field. For example, a combat engineer (MOS 21B, part of CMF 21) is promoted from Sergeant First Class to Master Sergeant. That soldier is reclassified administratively from MOS 21B to MOS 21Z "Engineer Senior Sergeant"). An example of when this conversion occurs at the MSG to SGM level is the 68 (formerly the 91) CMF. In this case, the Soldier becomes a 68Z at the SGM level, not the MSG level.When promoted from Master Sergeant or First Sergeant or Sergeant Major to Command Sergeant Major, that soldier will be reclassified administratively from their previous "Senior Sergeant" MOS to the MOS 00Z (zero-zero-zulu), "Sergeant Major".
Army warrant officers
Warrant officersWarrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
are sometimes specialized technicians and systems managers, and were not originally assigned to traditional arms or services of the Army. Approximately 50% of warrant officers are rotary wing aviators (helicopter pilots), and can be appointed directly from civilian applicants or within the service, regardless of previous enlisted MOS. The remaining 50% are technicians appointed from experienced enlisted soldiers and NCOs in a "feeder" MOS directly related to the warrant officer MOS.
During 2004, all Army warrant officers began wearing the insignia of their specialty's proponent branch rather than the 83-year old "Eagle Rising" distinctive warrant officer insignia. The following year a revision of Commissioned Officer Professional Development And Career Management integrated Warrant Officer Career Development with the Officer Career Development model. In practice, warrant officer MOSC are very similar to enlisted codes except they begin with three digits instead of two before the first letter, and do not have a "skill level" identifier. They are then followed by the SQI, ASI, and SLI as an enlisted MOS would.
Army commissioned officers
Commissioned officers' occupational codes are structured somewhat differently. A newly commissioned Army officer first receives a "career branch". This is similar to the career management field of the enlisted personnel. Career branch numbers range from 11 to 92. For example: 13 for Field Artillery, 19 for Armor/Armored Cavalry and 92 for Quartermaster. Within each occupational field, there are usually several codes available. Within Armor (Branch 19) there are 3 specialties available: 19A (Armor, General), 19B (Armor), and 19C (Cavalry). After an officer's fifth or sixth year of service, he or she may receive a "functional area" designation. More specific than a career branch, this is a specific 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 (FA46).Marine Corps
The U.S. Marine Corps begins by separating all jobs into "occupational fields" (OccFld), in which no distinction is made between officers and enlisted Marines. The fields are numbered from 01 to 99 and include general categories (Infantry, Logistics, Public Affairs, Ordnance, etc.) that specific jobs fall under.Each field contains multiple MOS's, each designated by a four-digit numerical indicator and a job title. For example, the infantry field (03) has nine enlisted classifications: Rifleman (MOS 0311
MOS 0311
MOS 0311 is the United States Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialty code for Rifleman. It is the primary infantry MOS for the Marine Corps.-General information:...
), Riverine Assault Craft (MOS 0312), Light Armored Vehicle Crewman (MOS 0313), Reconnaissance Man (MOS 0321), Machine Gunner (MOS 0331
MOS 0331
MOS 0331 is the U.S. Marine Corps infantry specialty for crew-served machine guns. A machine gun team can use a medium machine gun , a heavy machine gun , or an automatic grenade launcher . A machine gun crew is trained in the maintenance, first echelon repair, and deployment of these guns...
), Mortarman (MOS 0341
MOS 0341
MOS 0341 is the United States Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialty for Mortarman.-General information:The mortarman in the Marine Corps infantry is the mobile support to the rifleman on the front lines. They utilize the M252 81mm mortar and the M224 60mm mortar systems...
), Assaultman (MOS 0351), Antitank Assault Guided Missileman (MOS 0352), and Infantry Unit Leader (MOS 0369
MOS 0369
MOS 0369 is the United States Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialty for Infantry Unit Leader.-General information:The infantry unit leader is a staff noncomissioned officer with the rank of Staff Sergeant through Master Gunnery Sergeant who assists commanders and operations officers in...
).
Each of the jobs have authorized ranks associated with them. For example, anyone ranking from Private to Sergeant can be a Rifleman (0311), but only Marines ranking from Staff Sergeant to Master Gunnery Sergeant can be an Infantry Unit Leader (0369).
Duties and tasks are identified by rank because the Marine Corps MOS system is designed around the belief that increased duties and tasks accompany promotions. The first two digits designate the field 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 indicates that it is in Occupational Field 08 (Field Artillery) and designates the "Field Artillery Officer" (02) MOS.
Navy
The United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
does not use the Military Occupational Specialty as Marines and Army normally do, but instead uses their own variant, Navy Enlisted Classification
Navy Enlisted Classification
The Navy Enlisted Classification system supplements the rating designators for enlisted members of the United States Navy. A naval rating and NEC designator are similar to the Military Occupational Specialty designators used in the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps and the Air Force Specialty Code ...
or NEC. The U.S. Navy divides their occupational specialties into ratings for enlisted personnel and designators for officers.
Enlisted Personnel Ratings
The Navy indicates its "Ratings" by a two or three character code based on the actual name of the rating. These range from ABE (Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Equipment) to YN (Yeoman). Each SailorSailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
and Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
wears a rating badge indicating their rating as part of their rate (rank) insignia on full dress and service dress uniforms.
Commissioned Officer Designators
The Navy Officer "Designator" is similar to an MOS but is less complicated and has fewer categories. For example, a Surface Warfare Officer with a regular commission has a designator of 1110; a reserve officer has an 1115 designator. A reserve surface warfare officer specializing in Nuclear training (i.e., Engineer on a carrier) has a designator of 1165N. Navy officers also have one or more 3-character Additional Qualification Designators (AQD) that reflect completion of requirements qualifying them in a specific warfare area or other specialization. In some senses this functions more like the MOS in other services. An officer with the Naval Aviator designator of 1310 might have an AQD of DV3, SH-60F carrierAircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
anti-submarine warfare helicopter pilot, or DB4, F-14 fighter pilot. An officer designated 2100, Medical Corps Officer (physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
) may hold an AQD of 6CM, Trauma Surgeon, or 6AE, Flight Surgeon
Flight surgeon
A flight surgeon is a military medical officer assigned to duties in the clinical field variously known as aviation medicine, aerospace medicine, or flight medicine...
who is also a Naval Aviator. Some AQDs may be possessed by officers in any designator, such as BT2, Freefall Parachutist, or BS1, Shipboard Tomahawk Strike Officer. Navy officer designators and AQD codes may be found in NAVPERS 15839I, The Manual of Navy Officer Manpower and Personnel Classification.
Coast Guard
The United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
does not use the Military Occupational Specialty as Marines and Army normally do. The U.S. Coast Guard divides their occupational specialties into groups such as the Aviation Group and Administrative and Scientific Group.
Enlisted Personnel Ratings
The Coast Guard indicates its "Ratings" by a two or three character code based on the actual name of the rating. These range from AMT (Aviation Maintenance Technician) to YN (Yeoman). Each SailorSailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
and Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
wears a rating badge indicating their rating as part of their rate (rank) insignia on full dress and service dress uniforms.
Air Force
The Air Force utilizes a similar system, but titled Air Force Specialty Code. Enlisted airmen have a sevendigit code, and Officers have a four digit code.
External links
- "Korean War Educator, Topics - Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)", Korean War Educator Foundation. Provides list of MOSs during the Korean War era.
- “What Was my MOS? Vietnam-era MOS Codes”, 4th Battalion (Mechanized)/23rd Infantry Regiment "Tomahawks" Association Website. Provides list of MOSs during the Vietnam War era.
- “Military occupation codes”, military occupation codes by service branch.
- US Army Human Resource Command (HRC) PAMXXI Website - list of Officer, Warrant Officer and Enlisted Army personnel MOS
- AR 611-1 Military Occupational Classification Structure Development and Implementation
- DA Pam 611-21 Military Occupational Classification And Structure
- U. S. Air Force Classification Branch - has current documents describing the classification system and specific classifications
- about.com: U.S. Army Enlisted Job Descriptions & Qualifications
- MCBUL 1200 - 2006 Military Occupational Specialties Manual (MOS Manual) - PDF file
- NAVPERS 15839I, The Manual of Navy Officer Manpower and Personnel Classification; also available as PDF files
- NAVPERS 18068F Navy Enlisted Occupational Standards; also available as a PDF file