What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (2023)

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (1)

Do you ever wonder what fresh military graduates do first? What job or task must they do when they first get out of training camps? Military soldiers are assigned to their first MOS and undergo more advanced training. But what is an MOS in the military?

The MOS stand for in the military is the military occupational specialty. A MOS is a skill or job for military members who can enlist if they are qualified.

To know the military MOS lists and the qualifications of each MOS, continue strolling through this article.

Table of Contents

  • What is the MOS Definition in Military Terms?
  • How Many MOS Are in the Army?
    • 1. Navy
    • 2. Marine Corps
    • 3. The U.S Army
    • 4. The U.S Air Force
    • 5. The U.S Coast Guard
  • What They Do/ ASVAB Score Required:
    • 1. Navy
    • 2. Marine Corps
    • 3. The U.S Army
    • 4. The U.S Air Force
    • 5. The U.S Coast Guard
  • Conclusion

What is the MOS Definition in Military Terms?

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (2)

To simply understand the meaning of MOS in the military, think about it as a major or specialty you take in college. Picture this: the major you choose to take can be your favorite subject or perhaps, the MOSt qualified major for your SAT grade.

College majors are similar to the military term MOS or military occupational specialties. You can choose from 10,000 different types of MOS in the military.

Each MOS offers different skills you can learn and even real-life responsibility to account for. There are occupations related more to the army and also, to civilian workplace situations.

From the easiest MOS such as administration, and engineering, to challenging MOS like health care, and security, MOS in the military offers opportunity and special skills to grow in a lot of areas. Given that soldiers passed specific MOS qualifications.

How Many MOS Are in the Army?

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (3)

There are different numbers of MOS in each military branch. Also, specific military MOS codes are used to determine each skill or job.

For instance, MOS for officers will be offered differently. They are classified by AOC or Area of Concentration. The qualifications, training, and standards for each MOS are not the same.

Here is a complete list of military branches and different army MOS codes:

1. Navy

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (4)

The number available MOS for the Navy: 93 MOS

The Navy conducts testing in these subtests:

Assembling ObjectsAO
Arithmetic ReasoningAR
Auto and Shop InformationAS
Electronics InformationEI
General ScienceGS
Mechanical ComprehensionMC
Mathematics KnowledgeMK
Paragraph ComprehensionPC
Word KnowledgeWK

2. Marine Corps

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (5)

The number available marine jobs: 123

The Marine Corps evaluates recruits with these MOS descriptions/subtest categories to get qualify Marines MOS:

Clerical MOS (CL)Test results from the MK and VE subtests are averaged.
Mechanical Maintenance MOS (MM)Test results from the EI, AR, MC, and AS subtests are averaged.
General Technical MOS (GT)Test results from the VE, AR, and MC subtests are averaged.
Electronics MOS (EL)Test results from the MK, AR, GS, and EI subtests are averaged.

3. The U.S Army

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (6)

The number available MOS for the U.S Army: 159 jobs

The U.S Army evaluates recruits with these military job codes and a list of all army MOS has these abbreviations:

Clerical MOS (CL)Test results from the MK and VE subtests are averaged.
Combat MOS (CO)Test results from the CS, AS, AR, and MC subtests are averaged.
Electronics MOS (EL)Test results from the GS, MK, EI, and AR subtests are averaged.
Field Artillery MOS (FA)Test results from the CS, AR, MK, and MC subtests are averaged.
General Maintenance MOS (GM)Test results from the GS, EI, AS, and MK subtests are averaged.
General Technical MOS (GT)Test results from the VE and AR subtests are averaged.
Mechanical Maintenance MOS (MM)Test results from the AS, MC and EI subtests are averaged.
Operators & Food MOS (OF)Test results from the AS, VE , and MC subtests are averaged.
Surveillance & Communications MOS (SC)Test results from the AS, MC, AR, and VE subtests are averaged.
Skilled Technical MOS (ST)Test results from the MK, MC, GS, and VE subtests are averaged.

4. The U.S Air Force

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (7)

The number available MOS for the U.S Air Force: approximately around 135 MOS

The Air Force evaluates recruits in four categories:

AdministrativeA
ElectronicsE
GeneralG
MechanicalM

5. The U.S Coast Guard

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (8)

The number available MOS for the Coast Guard: 24 jobs

What They Do/ ASVAB Score Required:

ASVAB is taken during the initial enlistment process of aspiring soldiers. This will ultimately be a determination whether or not you qualify for the military.

Moreover, ASVAB is necessary for deciding which MOSs you are qualified for. Each military branch considers ASVAB scores to set the minimum requirements for applicants to be able to apply for each MOS.

The higher the ASVAB score, the more chances to be selected. Here is a list of different USMC MOS charts, MOS numbers, available MOS, and ASVAB score required in each military branch for common MOSs:

1. Navy

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (9)

Minimum AFQT score required: 35.

  • Air Traffic Controller: 220 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: AC
    What They Do: The primary responsibility is to work closely with control centers while stationing in airport control towers.
  • Airman: 185 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: AN
    What They Do: Assigned to preserve safely stored aircraft and their equipment in working order through repairs, maintenance, and storage.
  • Special Warfare Operator: 50 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: SO
    What They Do: They engage in land, sea, and air combat (SEAL).

2. Marine Corps

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (10)

Minimum AFQT score required: 32.

  • Administrative Specialist:
    CL: 100 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: MOS 0111
    What They Do: General operations using automated information systems.
  • Ammunition Technician:
    GT: 100 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: MOS 2311
    What They Do: In charge of the storage of ammunition and overall management.
  • Support Electrician/Refrig Mechanic:
    MOS Code: MOS 6073
    What They Do: Tasked to evaluate, test, deploy, maintain, and fix aircraft support equipment.

3. The U.S Army

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (11)

Minimum AFQT score required: 31.

  • Infantryman:
    CO: 87 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: 11B
    What They Do: This position serves as the Army’s main combat force.
  • Radio Operator:
    EL: 98, SC: 98 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: 25C
    What They Do: Their main responsibilities concentrate on communication and using radios.
  • Medical Logistics Specialist:
    CL: 90 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: 68J
    What They Do: They are tasked to stock, track, and distribute medical supplies for the Army.

4. The U.S Air Force

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (12)

Minimum AFQT score required: 36.

  • Airborne Mission Systems Specialist: E70 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: 1A3X1
    What They Do: They perform tactical and strategic operations. Also, they have an important role to monitor the battlespace at all times.
  • Aircraft Metals Technology: M47 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: 2A7X1
    What They Do: Most responsibilities involve fabrications, tests, and repairs of parts of an aircraft.
  • Air Force Nuclear Weapons: M60 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: 2W2X1
    What They Do: Provide the safety, stability, and security of nuclear weapons.

5. The U.S Coast Guard

What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (13)

Minimum AFQT score required: 40.

  • Avionics Electrical Technician: 171 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: AET
    What They Do: Most tasks are repairs, calibrations, and maintenance for modern electronic equipment.
  • Electrician’s Mate: 152 171 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: EM
    What They Do: Ensures all electrical devices and systems of ships are working.
  • Yeoman: 106 minimum ASVAB score
    MOS Code: YN
    What They Do: Tasked to secure, type, and prepare data and other important document transmissions.

Conclusion

We have discussed what is an MOS in the military, the MOS army meaning, and the different MOS in the army. There are many enlisted jobs that a successful military officer can get.

With thousands of options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one is right for you. Use the ideas in this article if you are interested in further research on your MOS in the army.

Note that your MOS is a profession that could give you unique abilities and knowledge that you can use for your future, not simply a job.

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What is an MOS in the Military? - Military Terms Explained (14)

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