Job Descriptions for Different Military MOS Roles

As I explore potential careers in the military, I'm trying to understand job descriptions for various MOS roles. Could someone provide an overview or point me to a resource where I can learn more about what different MOS entail?

Sure, it's definitely beneficial to understand the variety of roles available in the military. To start, MOS stands for Military Occupational Specialty. Each branch of the military uses its own terminology, but MOS is commonly used by the Army and Marine Corps. Each MOS has a specific code – often a number-letter-number format – that corresponds to a particular job.

In the Army, for example, a 12B is a Combat Engineer, whose duties might include construction, demolition, and handling explosives. An 11B, on the other hand, corresponds to Infantrymen who are ground-force soldiers.

The Air Force refers to its jobs as AFSCs (Air Force Specialty Codes). For instance, 2A0X1 is Avionics Test Station and Components, and the role would involve maintaining electronic systems on the aircraft.

In contrast, the Navy utilizes ratings. For instance, HM, or Hospital Corpsman, would have duties related to healthcare and medical assistance.

To get detailed descriptions of different MOS roles, the best place to go would be the official websites of each military branch: US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Air Force, and US Coast Guard. The GoArmy website, for instance, has a comprehensive MOS list with accompanying descriptions to understand the full scope of responsibilities.

And lastly, don't dismiss the value of firsthand perspectives! Talk to veterans or current service members, or reach out to recruiters from different branches who can provide more specific details based on their experience.

Hope this helps, and best of luck with your decision! It's an honorable path you're considering.