What does MOS stand for in military job descriptions?

I’ve come across the term MOS while researching military jobs, but I’m not sure what it specifically stands for or how it’s used. Can anyone explain its meaning and importance in military job descriptions?

MOS stands for "Military Occupational Specialty." In the U.S. military, it's used to categorize and designate specific job roles and responsibilities. Each job has an assigned MOS code, consisting of alphanumeric characters, that identify the specific job.

For example, in the Army, the MOS for a combat engineer is referred to as "12B," where "12" represents the job category "Engineering" and "B" is the specific role "Combat Engineer" within that category. These codes can be quite detailed and informative once you know how to interpret them.

The MOS system is crucial because it helps organize functions and roles within the military. When you join the military, you choose (or are assigned) an MOS, and that's your job while you serve. Since the military has so many jobs, kind of like a self-contained town, ranging from doctors and lawyers to mechanics and cooks, the MOS is a way of organizing all of these roles.

It's also important to note that your MOS can have implications for life after the military. The skills and experiences you gain in your MOS can translate into civilian job opportunities. For instance, someone who serves as a medic in the military may be better equipped to pursue a medical career post-service thanks to the specific skills and experiences they've gained via their MOS.