What is MOS?

The Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) system identifies specific jobs and roles within the military. Using unique codes for each MOS, this system outlines each service member’s duties and responsibilities to ensure operational efficiency and straightforward structure.

Each MOS code corresponds to a particular job or skill set, such as infantry, logistics, medical, intelligence and many others. These codes help to organize and manage the diverse ranges of roles within the military, facilitating recruitment, training, assignment and career progression for service members.

How does the military structure MOS codes?

The military uses MOS codes to categorize service members into appropriate skill levels and jobs. They comprise alphanumeric codes that vary in length and structure. MOS codes are different for each branch of the military. Each branch has its own system for classifying and identifying occupational specialties.

MOS codes offer a quick reference point to see a service member’s training, qualifications and area of expertise. They also play an essential role in career paths, assignments and promotions.

How does MOS differ between military branches?

Each military branch in the United States uses a unique MOS system for classifying its service members. These codes reflect the distinct nature of operations and missions to improve clarity and organization within the military. Understanding what these MOS military codes mean can help you better interpret the skills and experience veterans and military talent have when they apply for jobs.

Note that only the Army and Marines call these codes “MOS,” even though the purpose is the same. The Navy and Coast Guard use Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) codes, while the Air Force and Space Force use Air Force Speciality Codes (AFSC). Numbers or letters at the front show the job, while the last portion of the code typically denotes rank.

Here’s what a MOS looks like for each branch:

• Army: Numeric codes followed by a letter, such as 12B for Corps of Engineers
• Navy: Alphabet codes followed by digits, such as HM-8401 for a Search and Rescue Medical Technician
• Coast Guard: Alphabet codes followed by digits, such as YN3 for a Yeoman (administrative and clerical work )
• Marines: Similar structure to Army codes, but with unique distinctions, such as 0311 for Rifleman
• Air Force: Distinct four-character codes with numbers then letters, such as 170A for a Cyberwarfare Technician
• Space Force: Alphanumeric codes such as 14N for an Intelligence Officer

The value of military skill sets

A MOS designation in the military serves as both a job description and an indicator of rigorous training and expertise. It represents vast, varied skill sets, encompassing numerous skills and roles critical to the military’s multifaceted operations. For instance, if you’re looking for someone to fill a Communication Officer position, a former Marine with a MOS of 542—Communications Chief—could potentially be a good candidate for the job.

Individuals serving in these roles receive comprehensive training that combines technical skills with leadership and operational abilities. Former military candidates typically perform well under pressure, adapt quickly to changing conditions and effectively lead individuals and teams. Due to the nature of these transferable skills, military talent offers unique attributes that provide valuable experience to the civilian workforce.

Translating MOS to the civilian workplace

It’s helpful to understand the advantages that come with hiring veterans and those with military experience. Thanks to the specialized nature of their MOS in the military, veterans and military talent have amazing potential in the civilian workforce. For example, a Logistics Specialist in the Army typically has meticulous organization and planning skills, which can potentially make them a quality candidate for a supply chain management job. If you’re unsure of what a particular MOS means, a quickinternet search can usually provide insight into how a candidate’s military skills translate into civilian job qualifications.

Related: Working With Veterans: 7 Ways to Create a Military-Friendly Workplace

Mapping MOS codes to your open roles

Knowing the different roles MOS codes fulfill can help you better map which ones have transferable skills within your organization.

Use these examples of MOS codes to understand how different military jobs seamlessly move from the Uniformed Services to the business world.

Finance

Financial operations, accounting and budget management are just some of the skills those with a finance-related MOS may have. Military talent with this background typically fit well in banking, corporate finance and accounting firms. For example, a 36A Finance Officer in the Army could be a good fit for your finance-related roles.

Information technology

Military training in managing networks, IT security and communications systems translates particularly well into IT management, cybersecurity and corporate network administration.For instance, candidates with an Army 25B Information Technology Specialist or an Air Force with the CD0x2 Cybersystems Operation MOS codes could potentially be a good fit for cybersecurity roles.

Human resources

Veterans and former military members with an HR MOS typically offer extensive experience with personnel management and benefits administration. Consider looking for MOS codes such as 42A Human Resources Specialist in the Army or PS Personnel Specialist in the Navy when hiring for these positions. Also, consider candidates with the Marine MOS 0111 code—while this code doesn’t specifically deal with HR, it does cover similar administrative jobs.

Public affairs

Corporate communications departments may benefit from hiring military-experienced job seekers with a Public Affairs MOS. These individuals have experience with public and media relations. They may also excel in marketing positions due to training that covers branding management and colleague engagement.For example, an MC Mass Communications Specialist in the Navy might make a great public relations manager, while a 4341 Combat Correspondent in the Marines might excel as a journalist.

Supply chain and logistics

Intimately familiar with operations management, individuals with military experience with a Logistics or Supply Chain MOS often understand how things work behind the scenes in stockrooms, warehouses and manufacturing facilities. These candidates typically have experience with inventory management and logistical coordination.

Operations

When you need to fill a leadership position with someone skilled at project management, former military members with an Operations MOS may be strong candidates. These individuals usually have planning and coordination skills that can keep your company operations efficient and cost-effective.

FAQs about MOS codes

What are some common misconceptions about MOS codes?

Some common misconceptions about MOS codes may include:

• All branches have the same MOS codes: Each branch has its own unique MOS code structure, and though they’re often similar, they’re not the same. Likewise, terms for MOS vary across the branches—the Air Force calls these codes Air Force Speciality Codes (AFSC), while the Navy calls them ratings.
• MOS job codes are fixed and unchanging: Jobs responsibilities within each MOS differ based on the unit a military member served in, the location and operational responsibilities and requirements. Also, many service members move between MOS while in service for valuable cross-training in other fields.
• Some MOS codes ensure career success: While some MOS codes offer more opportunity due to the transferable skills and visibility they bring, service members themselves have control of career success with excellent performance, education and training.

How many MOS codes are there?

Each branch of the military has its own set of MOS codes, so the numbers in each one vary.

The number of MOS codes within each branch include:

• Army: The Army has over 150 MOS codes, ranging from combat operations and logistics to intelligence and healthcare.
• Navy: The Navy calls MOS codes ratings, and it has between 60 and 80 of them, and each one has service ratings that further note specialties in certain roles.
• Air Force: The Air Force has about 130 AFSCs—its equivalent of MOS codes—for enlisted personnel. For officers, this branch has roughly 100 AFSCs.
• Marines: The Marines have around 180 MOS codes, which are further broken down into specific jobs. These include positions such as combat, logistics and administration.
• Coast Guard: Similar to the Navy, the Coast Guard uses ratings. This branch has around 20 ratings that range from positions such as deck engineering to technical jobs and administrative support.
• Space Force: Though the Space Force initially used AFSC code like the Air Force, the branch shifted to its own version of MOS codes called Space Force Specialty Codes (SFSC). It currently has around 15 SFSC, but it expects growth in that number as this new branch finds its footing and grows its service staff.

What determines a service member’s MOS?

Several factors determine a service member’s MOS, including how well they score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. Higher scores typically qualify recruits for more specialized roles. The ability to get a security clearance determines who gets jobs involving security and intelligence, while specific educational backgrounds may qualify service members for more technical positions.

Physical tests also play into the jobs they get, with some roles such as combat having higher physical standards. Though individual preference for jobs often plays into MOS codes, in other instances, the needs of the military branch may take precedence over personal choices.