I'm considering joining the military after high school, but I'm curious about the placement probability for different roles. How likely is it to get placed in a specific job within the military, and what factors influence this?
The odds of being placed in a specific military job, known as a Military Occupational Specialty or MOS for the Army, Navy, and Air Force, depend on a range of factors.
Firstly, the needs of the military at a given time play a considerable role. In other words, job availability fluctuates based on the military's needs for specific occupations. If the Army needs more engineers or the Air Force requires more pilots, individuals with the skills and qualifications for those roles may stand a better chance of being placed in their desired jobs.
Secondly, placements are also tied to an individual's performance on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The ASVAB measures various skills and aptitudes and helps the military determine an individual's qualifications for available jobs. High scores in relevant areas may increase the odds of being placed in certain roles.
Bear in mind that physical fitness and medical conditions may also play a part. Some roles, such as aviation or special forces, have rigid physical or medical requirements. Therefore, one's health and fitness level can be an influential factor.
Another key factor is the Base Line Scores from ASVAB, which are used to decide your training and future in the military. For example, for the Coast Guard, a Mechanical Maintenance Score (MM) is calculated from combining the Auto and Shop, Math Knowledge, and Mechanical Comprehension sections of the ASVAB. If you were aiming for a Coast Guard Aviation position, they'd look closely at this MM score.
Lastly, your personal preference is taken into account. During your recruitment process, you will typically list your top job choices, and these preferences are considered during placement.
The best way to increase your odds of getting placed in your desired military job is to be well-prepared: perform well on your ASVAB, meet all physical and medical requirements for the role you are eyeing, and be informed about the roles the military needs at the time you join. It might also help to be relatively flexible, understanding that military needs can sometimes override personal preferences.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.