Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)

Optimally trained. Prominently demonstrated. Marines bring expertise to every battle.

Marines are trained in many different roles but fight each battle together, positioning our Nation out front to win on any front. There are hundreds of these roles available for aspiring Marines, roles the Marine Corps refers to as Military Occupational Specialties (MOSs). These MOSs are categorized into Military Occupational Fields, most of which are described on this page.

ROLES IN THE CORPS

After completing Marine Corps Recruit Training, Marines can become an expert in any number of 300+ MOS, creating a diverse and talented group of modern fighters for our Nation.

MOS TRAINING

MOS training comes in many forms, including

  • Formal schools that offer college credit and graduation certificate opportunities
  • On-the-job training, receiving hands-on experience from established professionals in those fields
  • Advanced formal training to become an occupational field expert and learn skills for supervisory, leadership, and management roles.

MOS FIELDS & QUALIFICATIONS

This category includes administrative and clerical functions in the areas of general administration, postal service and personnel administration. Qualifications include communication abilities, typing, and basic clerical skills.

This field includes a variety of jobs where Marines are responsible for gathering, processing, and disseminating sensitive classified information. These specialties include geographic intelligence, counterintelligence, image interpretation, and analysis. To qualify for these roles, you must have mastery of analytical and technical skills as well as communication, computer, and clerical skills. 

This occupational field includes ground forces who are trained to locate and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver or repel their assault by fire and close combat. These roles all require high levels of fitness, mental toughness, and tactical abilities.

These Marines are responsible for providing general and direct support above the organic capabilities of the support element of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF). Marines in the logistics unit may support the MAGTF in assaults and operations ashore.

This field includes MAGTF Marines, planning specialists, information operations specialists, and security forces advisors.

Marines in the communications field are responsible for designing, installing, connecting, and operating communication networks and information systems. They also operate and perform preventative maintenance on both software and hardware systems, including computer systems, radio, telephones, and cryptography.

Marines in the communications field are responsible for designing, installing, connecting, and operating communication networks and information systems. They also operate and perform preventative maintenance on both software and hardware systems, including computer systems, radio, telephones, and cryptography.

Marines in this field have different areas of responsibility and expertise. Field Artillery includes the following duties: firing battery, which includes moving, loading, firing, and maintaining cannon weapons systems; field artillery operations, which involves moving, operating, and maintaining equipment that acquires targets; and observation and liaison, which includes checking and analyzing combat plans and communicating advice and operating information.

Marines in this field have different areas of responsibility and expertise. Field Artillery includes the following duties: firing battery, which includes moving, loading, firing, and maintaining cannon weapons systems; field artillery operations, which involves moving, operating, and maintaining equipment that acquires targets; and observation and liaison, which includes checking and analyzing combat plans and communicating advice and operating information.

This field includes many "B" Billets that are special duty assignments that fall outside of a Marine's primary MOS and require special permission to enter. Several of these are instructor roles, including Drill Instructors, Combat Instructors, Marksmanship Instructors, Small Weapons Instructors, Water Safety and Survival Instructors, and Martial Arts Instructors.

Marines in this field are responsible for planning and providing utilities to support posts and stations. It includes the establishment, operation, maintenance, and repair of power generation sites, heating, shower, and laundry facilities, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.

Marines in this field are responsible for planning and providing utilities to support posts and stations. It includes the establishment, operation, maintenance, and repair of power generation sites, heating, shower, and laundry facilities, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration.

Marines in this field have duties like welding and metalworking and are responsible for maintenance, operation, and repair of heavy engineering equipment.

All members of an Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) crew perform duties to help with the operation and maintenance of the vehicle and upgunned weapons station. These Marines lead mechanized assaults and conduct amphibious landings.

Duties for this field include the inspection, repair, and maintenance of weapons systems. Maintenance personnel conduct administrative procedures, repair analysis, technical inspection procedures, testing of ordnance equipment, and quality control methodology.

Duties for this field include the inspection, repair, and maintenance of weapons systems. Maintenance personnel conduct administrative procedures, repair analysis, technical inspection procedures, testing of ordnance equipment, and quality control methodology.

Marines in this field are responsible for the secure disposal of explosive weaponry and ammunition. This MOS has three enlisted positions: basic ammunition and explosive ordnance disposal Marine, ammunition technician, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician.

Duties for this MOS focus on strategic and tactical intelligence, listening to radio and other broadcasts to determine enemy positions. It includes jobs like signals intelligence analysts, cryptanalysts, signals intelligence/electronic warfare, and radio reconnaissance.

Marines in this field supervise and participate in translation and interpretation activities to support military operations and intelligence matters during operations and exercises.

Marines in this field supervise and participate in translation and interpretation activities to support military operations and intelligence matters during operations and exercises.

Ground electronics maintenance Marines are focused on installation, diagnosis, repair, modification, and calibration of electronic equipment. The equipment and systems include different types of communication hardware, biological, nuclear and chemical detection electronics, and a range of test equipment. Jobs include basic data/communications maintenance Marine, technical controller, or artillery electronics technician.

Ground electronics maintenance Marines are focused on installation, diagnosis, repair, modification, and calibration of electronic equipment. The equipment and systems include different types of communication hardware, biological, nuclear and chemical detection electronics, and a range of test equipment. Jobs include basic data/communications maintenance Marine, technical controller, or artillery electronics technician.

In this field, Marines perform ground supply administration and operations, including maintaining supply warehouses, ordering and processing equipment, and coordinating the distribution of supplies. Some of the jobs include basic supply administration and operations Marine, warehouse clerk, aviation supply clerk, and contract specialist.

Marines in this field coordinate travel and shipments. They assist with the shipping of military and personal property and help Marines and their families with moves from base to base by contracting civilian moving companies. They also oversee the movement of military equipment and supplies and must know how to handle and store hazardous materials.

Marines in this field coordinate travel and shipments. They assist with the shipping of military and personal property and help Marines and their families with moves from base to base by contracting civilian moving companies. They also oversee the movement of military equipment and supplies and must know how to handle and store hazardous materials.

Marines in food service prepare food for other Marines in the garrison and the field. They may help plan how much food is needed for the Marines who will be working and living in the field during deployments.

Marines in food service prepare food for other Marines in the garrison and the field. They may help plan how much food is needed for the Marines who will be working and living in the field during deployments.

In the field of financial management, Marines help with the budgeting of finances and generate spending forecasts. They monitor, reconcile, and prepare accounting records and analyze variances between budget plans and execution. Jobs include basic financial management Marine, financial technician, non-appropriated fund audit technician, and fiscal/budget technician.

In the field of financial management, Marines help with the budgeting of finances and generate spending forecasts. They monitor, reconcile, and prepare accounting records and analyze variances between budget plans and execution. Jobs include basic financial management Marine, financial technician, non-appropriated fund audit technician, and fiscal/budget technician.

In this field, Marines are responsible for making sure all vehicles used in the field are inspected, maintained and in top condition. They may oversee repair and maintenance of transport equipment as well as service fuel and water tankers and HUMVEEs. This field also includes motor vehicle operators who complete motor transportation school to learn to drive a variety of USMC vehicles.

Marines in this field are responsible for the well-being of military families and service members. Jobs in this MOS include basic exchange Marine and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) specialist.

Marines in this field are responsible for the well-being of military families and service members. Jobs in this MOS include basic exchange Marine and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) specialist.

Marines in legal services assist military officers who have studied law and are licensed attorneys. They must understand various military laws and proceedings to help both Marines and civilians. Jobs include basic legal services Marine, legal services specialist and legal services reporter.

These Marines produce written and visual information products in order to build understanding, credibility, and trust with audiences while advising commanders and staffs on communication strategy matters. Roles include Combat Graphics Specialist, Combat Photographer and Combat Videographer.

Marines in this field perform music or music-related activities in support of military ceremonies, official functions, community relations, recruiting, and Marine “esprit de corps.”

Marines in this field perform music or music-related activities in support of military ceremonies, official functions, community relations, recruiting, and Marine “esprit de corps.”

In this field, Marines are responsible for handling defense against any type of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) attack that could occur in the area. They issue and inspect gas masks and related equipment and train Marines on how to use them.

In this field, Marines are responsible for handling defense against any type of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) attack that could occur in the area. They issue and inspect gas masks and related equipment and train Marines on how to use them.

The military police and corrections occupational field provides commander support by enforcing the law, preventing crime, preserving military control, investigating offenses, and apprehending offenders. Marines in this field may also be involved in antiterrorism or the handling and safeguarding of prisoners of war, refugees, or evacuees. Jobs in this MOS include military police, working dog handler, military police investigator, criminal investigator CID agent, and correctional specialist.

Jobs within this field involve maintenance, repair, and operation of different types of electronic equipment within the Marine Air Command and Control Systems network. Marines in this specialty support air defense, weaponry, surveillance, radio communication, data monitoring, and air traffic control.

Jobs within this field involve maintenance, repair, and operation of different types of electronic equipment within the Marine Air Command and Control Systems network. Marines in this specialty support air defense, weaponry, surveillance, radio communication, data monitoring, and air traffic control.

The aviation MOS is the 6000 field. The first two numbers designate the primary position of mechanic (60), helicopters (61), and fixed-wing aircraft (62). The aircraft maintenance occupational fields include direct and indirect support of the total airframes as well as power plant pack of all aircraft weapons systems. Marines start as basic aircraft maintenance crew and then progress through hard skill MOSs. Jobs include helicopter power plants mechanic, airframe mechanic, fixed-wing aircraft mechanic, and unmanned aerial vehicle mechanic.

Marines in the avionics field provide direct and indirect support of aviation weapons systems. As a Marine is promoted within this field, repair and administrative requirements for multiple systems take equal importance until the Marine is placed in a supervisory position. There are a wide variety of jobs in avionics, including unmanned aerial vehicle avionics technician, aircraft avionics technician, communications/navigation systems technician, and cryptographic systems technician.

This occupational field includes organizational and intermediate maintenance of guns, gun pods, aircraft weapons systems, bomb racks, missile launches, and aviation ordnance support equipment.

Duties for aviation logistics encompass a broad spectrum of network infrastructure and information systems operations and maintenance.

Duties for aviation logistics encompass a broad spectrum of network infrastructure and information systems operations and maintenance.

Marines in this field are responsible for collecting, assessing, and disseminating intelligence relevant to friendly and enemy force strengths and vulnerabilities. This includes climatic, atmospheric, and hydrologic intelligence.

Marines in this field are responsible for collecting, assessing, and disseminating intelligence relevant to friendly and enemy force strengths and vulnerabilities. This includes climatic, atmospheric, and hydrologic intelligence.

The airfield services field includes the performance of aviation operations duties, expeditionary aircraft equipment recovery duties, and aircraft rescue firefighting. Jobs in airfield services include expeditionary airfield systems technician, aviation operations specialist, and aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist.

The airfield services field includes the performance of aviation operations duties, expeditionary aircraft equipment recovery duties, and aircraft rescue firefighting. Jobs in airfield services include expeditionary airfield systems technician, aviation operations specialist, and aircraft rescue and firefighting specialist.

This field includes the operation and management of air command and functions associated with the Marine aircraft wing. It includes jobs like air control electronics operator and air traffic controller.

Marines in this field are responsible for performing duties related to the maintenance and operation of aircraft and helicopters. Jobs include helicopter specialist, unmanned aircraft system operator, tactical systems operator, or airborne radio operator.

Marines in this field are responsible for performing duties related to the maintenance and operation of aircraft and helicopters. Jobs include helicopter specialist, unmanned aircraft system operator, tactical systems operator, or airborne radio operator.

Containing a multitude of necessary roles, this field includes jobs like parachutist, environmental engineer, and regional and foreign affairs officers assigned to different regions of the world.

Containing a multitude of necessary roles, this field includes jobs like parachutist, environmental engineer, and regional and foreign affairs officers assigned to different regions of the world.

CONTACT A RECRUITER

Gain direct access to a Marine Recruiter who has fought alongside Marines and is prepared to show you how to become one.

CONTACT A RECRUITER

FAQS

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