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Sections

• What Members of the Armed Forces Do
• Work Environment
• How to Become a Member of the Armed Forces
• Pay
• Job Outlook
• Similar Occupations
• Contacts for More Information

What They Do

The U.S. Military provides training and work experience in a variety of military careers. Members of the Armed Forces work in almost all occupations that are available to civilians in addition to occupations that are specific to the military. Service men and women serve on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, or in the Reserve components of these branches, and the Air National Guard and Army National Guard. (The Coast Guard, which is included in this profile, is part of the Department of Homeland Security.)

Duties

The military distinguishes between enlisted and officer careers. Enlisted personnel make up about 83 percent of the Armed Forces and carry out the fundamental operations of the military. Officers make up the remaining 17 percent and are leaders of the military, supervising and managing activities in every occupational specialty in the military.

Enlisted personnel typically do the following:

• Participate in combat operations
• Operate, maintain, and repair equipment
• Serve as technicians and specialists in a variety of fields
• Serve as front-line supervisors of junior enlisted personnel

Officers typically do the following:

• Lead troops in ground combat operations
• Serve as supervisors and managers of enlisted personnel
• Operate and control aircraft, ships, or armored vehicles
• Serve as professionals for the military in medical, legal, engineering, and other fields

Types of Enlisted Personnel

The following are examples of types of occupations for enlisted personnel:

Administrative personnel work in a variety of jobs. The military must keep accurate information for planning and managing its operations. Both paper and electronic records are kept on personnel and on equipment, funds, and all other aspects of the military. Administrative personnel record information, prepare reports, and maintain files. They may work in a specialized area, such as finance, accounting, legal affairs, maintenance, supply, or transportation.

Combat specialty personnel work in specialty occupations, such as infantry, artillery, and Special Forces. People in these occupations normally specialize by type of weapon system or combat operation. Examples include infantry specialists who conduct ground combat operations, tank crews who operate battle tanks, or seamanship specialists who are responsible for operating and maintaining ships. Combat specialty personnel may maneuver against enemy forces and positions and fire artillery, guns, mortars, or missiles to destroy enemy positions. They may also operate various types of combat vehicles, such as amphibious assault vehicles, tanks, or small boats, in combat missions. Especially difficult or specialized missions are performed by elite Special Operations teams, who are constantly ready to respond anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice.

Construction personnel in the military build or repair buildings, airfields, bridges, and other structures. They may also operate heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, tractors, or cranes. They work with engineers and other building specialists as part of military construction teams. Some personnel specialize in areas such as plumbing, electrical wiring, or water purification.

Electronic and electrical equipment repair personnel maintain and repair electronic equipment used in the military. Repairers normally specialize by general area, such as aircraft electrical systems, computers, optical equipment, communications, or weapons systems. For example, weapons electronic maintenance technicians maintain and repair electronic components and systems that help locate targets and help aim and fire weapons.

Engineering, science, and technical personnel in the military use specialized knowledge to perform a variety of tasks. They operate technical equipment, solve complex problems, or provide and interpret information. They typically specialize in one area, such as information technology, environmental health and safety, or intelligence.

• Information technology specialists develop software programs and operate computer systems.
• Environmental health and safety specialists inspect military facilities and food supplies to ensure that they are safe for use.
• Intelligence specialists gather and study information needed by the military and prepare reports on this information.

Healthcare personnel help medical professionals provide medical services for men and women in the military. They may work as part of a patient-service team in close contact with doctors, nurses, or other healthcare professionals. Some specialize in providing emergency medical treatment in combat or remote areas where medical care is unavailable. Others specialize in laboratory testing of tissue and blood samples; maintaining pharmacy supplies or patients’ records; assisting with dental procedures; operating diagnostic tools, such as x-ray and ultrasound machines; or other healthcare tasks.

Human resources development personnel recruit qualified people into the military, place them in suitable occupations, and provide training programs. These specialists usually focus on a particular duty. 

• Recruiting specialists provide information about military careers to young people, parents, schools, and local communities, and explain the Armed Services’ employment and training opportunities, pay and benefits, and service life.
• Personnel specialists collect and store information about military personnel, including information on their previous and current training, job assignments, promotions, and health.
• Training specialists and instructors teach classes and instruct military personnel on how to perform their jobs.

Machine operator and production personnel operate industrial equipment and machinery to fabricate and repair parts for a variety of items and structures. They may operate engines, nuclear reactors, or water pumps. Often, they specialize by the type of work performed. Welders and metalworkers, for example, work with various types of metals to repair or form the structural parts of ships, buildings, or other equipment. Survival equipment specialists inspect, maintain, and repair survival equipment, such as parachutes and aircraft life support equipment.

Media and public affairs personnel help present military information and events to the public. They take photographs, make video programs, present news and music programs, or produce artwork and other visual displays. Other public affairs specialists act as interpreters and translators to convert foreign languages into English or other languages.

Protective service personnel enforce military laws and regulations and provide emergency responses to disasters.

• Military police responsibilities include controlling traffic, preventing crime, and responding to emergencies.
• Other law enforcement and security specialists investigate crimes committed on military property and guard inmates in military correctional facilities.
• Firefighters extinguish and prevent fires in buildings, on aircraft, and aboard ships.

Support service personnel provide subsistence services and support the morale and well-being of military personnel and their families. Food service specialists prepare all types of food in dining halls, hospitals, and ships. Religious program specialists assist chaplains with religious services, religious education programs, and related administrative duties.

Transportation and material-handling personnel ensure the safe transport of people and cargo. Most personnel within this occupational group are classified according to mode of transportation, such as aircraft, motor vehicle, or ship.

• Aircrew members operate equipment on aircraft.
• Vehicle drivers operate all types of heavy military vehicles, including fuel or water tank trucks, and passenger buses.
• Quartermasters and boat operators navigate and pilot many types of small watercraft, including tugboats, gunboats, and barges.
• Cargo specialists load and unload military supplies using equipment such as forklifts and cranes.

Vehicle and machinery mechanical personnel conduct preventive and corrective maintenance on aircraft, automotive and heavy equipment, and powerhouse station equipment. These workers typically specialize by the type of equipment that they maintain.

• Aircraft mechanics inspect and service various types of aircraft.
• Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics maintain and repair vehicles, such as Humvees, trucks, tanks, and other combat vehicles. They also repair bulldozers and other construction equipment.
• Heating and cooling mechanics install and repair air-conditioning, refrigeration, and heating equipment.
• Marine engine mechanics repair and maintain engines on ships, boats, and other watercraft. They also repair shipboard mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Powerhouse mechanics install, maintain, and repair electrical and mechanical equipment in power-generating stations.

Table 1 shows the number of military enlisted personnel by branch and broad occupational category in August 2011.

Types of Officers

The following are examples of types of officers:

Combat specialty officers are leaders of combat units. They plan and direct military operations, oversee combat activities, and serve as combat leaders. This category includes officers in charge of tanks and other armored assault vehicles, artillery systems, Special Operations, and infantry. Combat specialty officers normally specialize by the type of unit they lead. This group also includes naval surface warfare and submarine warfare officers, combat pilots, and aircrews.

Engineering, science, and technical officers have a range of responsibilities, depending on their area of expertise. These officers work in many of the scientific and professional fields outside of the Armed Forces, which include occupations such as atmospheric scientists, meteorologists, physical scientists, biological scientists, social scientists, and attorneys. For example, meteorologists in the military may study the weather to determine flight paths for aircraft. Physical scientists may develop and launch spacecraft.

Executive, administrative, and managerial officers are responsible for administrative functions of the Armed Forces. This includes human resources management, training, personnel, information, police, public information, and inspectors. This category also includes officers who oversee the various Armed Forces bands and those who manage recreation or other special services.

Healthcare officers provide health services at military facilities on the basis of their area of specialization. Officers who examine, diagnose, and treat patients include physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and dentists. Other healthcare officers provide therapy, rehabilitative treatment, and additional healthcare for patients.

• Physicians, surgeons, and physician assistants provide the majority of medical services to the military and their families.
• Dentists treat diseases, disorders, and injuries of the mouth.
• Physical and occupational therapists plan and administer therapy to help patients adjust to disabilities, regain independence, and return to work.
• Pharmacists manage the purchase, storage, and dispensing of drugs and medicines.
• Optometrists treat vision problems by prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Psychologists provide mental healthcare and also conduct research on behavior and emotions.

For more information, see the profiles on physicians and surgeons, dentists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, optometrists, and psychologists.

Human resource development officers manage recruitment, placement, and training programs in the military.

• Recruiting managers direct recruiting efforts and provide information about military careers to young people, parents, schools, and local communities.
• Personnel managers direct military personnel functions, such as job assignments, staff promotions, and career counseling.
• Training and education directors identify training needs and develop and manage educational programs designed to keep military personnel current in the skills they need.

Media and public affairs officers oversee the development, production, and presentation of information or events for the public. These officers may produce and direct videos, and television and radio broadcasts that are used for training, news, and entertainment. Some plan, develop, and direct the activities of military bands. Public information officers respond to inquiries about military activities and prepare news releases and reports to keep the public informed.

Protective service officers are responsible for the safety and protection of individuals and property on military bases and vessels. Emergency management officers plan and prepare for all types of disasters by developing warning and evacuation procedures to be used in the event of a disaster. Law enforcement and security officers enforce all applicable laws on military bases and investigate crimes when the law has been broken.

Support services officers oversee and direct military activities in key functional areas, such as logistics, transportation, and supply. They may oversee the transportation and distribution of materials by ground vehicles, aircraft, or ships. They also direct food service facilities and other support activities. Purchasing and contracting managers negotiate and monitor contracts for the purchase of the billions of dollars worth of equipment, supplies, and services that the military buys from private industry each year.

Transportation officers manage and perform activities related to the safe transport of military personnel and material by air and water. These officers normally specialize by mode of transportation or area of expertise because they must meet licensing and certification requirements in many cases.

• Pilots in the military fly various types of specialized airplanes and helicopters to carry troops and equipment.
• Navigators use radar, radio, and other navigation equipment to determine their position and plan their route of travel.
• Officers on ships and submarines work as a team to manage the various departments aboard their vessels.
• Ships’ engineers direct engineering departments aboard ships and submarines, including engine operations, maintenance, and power generation.

Table 2 shows the number of military officers by branch and broad occupational category in August 2011.

Work Environment

In August 2011, more than 2.3 million people served in the Armed Forces. More than 1.4 million were on active duty, including about 565,000 in the Army, 322,000 in the Navy, 330,000 in the Air Force, and 201,000 in the Marines. In addition, about 846,000 people served in the Reserve components of the branches and in the Air National Guard and Army National Guard, and about 42,000 people served in the Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.  Table 3 shows the officers, warrant officers, and enlisted ranks by service in April 2011.

The specific work environments and conditions for military occupations depend on occupational specialty, unit, branch of service, and other factors. Most active-duty military personnel live and work on or near military bases and facilities throughout the United States and the world. These bases and facilities usually offer comfortable housing and amenities, such as stores and recreation centers. Service members move regularly for training or job assignments, with most rotations lasting 2 to 4 years. Some are deployed internationally to defend national interests.

Military members must be physically fit, mentally stable, and ready to participate in or support combat missions that may be difficult and dangerous and involve long periods of time away from family; however, some personnel are rarely deployed near combat areas.

Injuries

Members of the military are often placed in dangerous situations with the risk of serious injury or death. Members deployed to combat zones or those who work in dangerous areas, such as the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, face a higher rate of injury and death.

Work Schedules

In many circumstances, military personnel work standard full time. However, hours vary significantly, depending on occupational specialty, rank, branch of service, and the needs of the military. In all cases, personnel must be prepared to work long hours to fulfill missions.

How to Become a Member of the Armed Forces

To join the military, applicants must meet age, educational, aptitude, physical, and character requirements. These requirements vary by branch of service and between officers and enlisted members. Members are assigned an occupational specialty based on their aptitude, former training, and the needs of their branch of service. All service members must sign a contract and commit to a minimum term of service.

Those considering enlisting in the military should learn as much as they can about military life before making a decision. Potential applicants should speak to friends and relatives with military experience and weigh the pros and cons of a career in the military.

The next step is talking to a recruiter, who can determine whether the applicant qualifies for enlistment, explain the various enlistment options, and tell which military occupational specialties currently have openings. Applicants should bear in mind that a recruiter’s job is to recruit promising applicants into his or her branch of service, so they are likely to stress the positive aspects of military life in the branch in which he or she serves.

The military uses a placement exam called the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to determine an applicant’s suitability for various occupational specialties, and test scores largely determine an individual's chances of being accepted into a particular training program. Selection for a certain type of training depends on the needs of the service and the applicant’s general and technical aptitudes and personal preferences.

Because all prospective recruits are required to take the ASVAB, those who do so before committing themselves to enlisting know in advance whether they stand a good chance of being accepted for training in a particular specialty. The recruiter can schedule applicants to take the ASVAB without any obligation to join. Many high schools offer the exam as an easy way for students to explore the possibility of a military career, and the test also lets students see which careers they show aptitude and interest in.

The ASVAB is not part of the process of joining the military as an officer.

If an applicant decides to join the military, the next step is to pass the physical examination and sign an enlistment contract. Negotiating the contract involves choosing, qualifying for, and agreeing on a number of enlistment options, such as the length of active-duty time, which may vary according to the option. Most active-duty programs have first-term enlistments of 4 years, although there are some 2-year, 3-year, and 6-year programs. The contract also will state the date of enlistment and other options—for example, bonuses and the types of training the recruit will receive. If the service is unable to fulfill any of its obligations under the contract, such as providing a certain kind of training, the contract may become null and void.

All branches of the Armed Services offer a delayed entry program by which a person can delay entry into active duty for up to 1 year after enlisting. High school students can enlist during their senior year and enter service after graduation. Others choose this program because the job training they desire is not currently available but will be within the coming year, or because they need time to arrange their personal affairs.

Education

All branches of the Armed Forces require their members to be high school graduates or have equivalent credentials, such as a GED. In 2011, more than 99 percent of recruits were high school graduates. Officers usually need a bachelor's or graduate degree. Training varies for enlisted and officer personnel and varies by occupational specialty.

Those who want to become an officer have several routes, including the Federal service academies (Military, Naval, Air Force, and Coast Guard); the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program offered at many colleges and universities; Officer Candidate School (OCS); and other programs.

Important Qualities

Mental preparedness. Armed Forces members must be mentally stable and able to withstand stressful situations that can occur during military operations.

Physical fitness. Military members must be physically fit to participate in or support combat missions that may be difficult or dangerous.

Readiness. Members of the Armed Forces must be ready and able to report for military assignments on short notice.

Entry requirements for each service vary, but certain qualifications for enlistment are common to all branches. The following are typical enlistment requirements:

• At least 17 years of age
• U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status
• Never convicted of a felony
• Able to pass a drug test

Applicants who are 17 years old must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian before entering the service. For active service in the Army, the maximum age is 42; for the Navy, 34; for the Marine Corps, 29; and for the Air Force and Coast Guard, 27. All applicants must meet certain minimum physical standards for height, weight, vision, and overall health. Officers must meet different age and physical standards, depending on their branch of service.

Women are eligible to enter most military specialties; for example, they may become mechanics, missile maintenance technicians, heavy equipment operators, and fighter pilots, or they may enter into medical care, administrative support, and intelligence specialties. Generally, only occupations involving direct exposure to combat are excluded to women.

Training

Enlisted personnel training. Following enlistment, new members of the Armed Forces undergo initial-entry training, better known as basic training or boot camp. Through courses in military skills and protocol, basic training provides an 8- to 13-week introduction to military life. Days and nights are carefully structured and include rigorous physical exercise designed to improve strength and endurance and build each unit's cohesion.

Following basic training, most recruits take additional training at technical schools that prepare them for a particular military occupational specialty. The formal training period generally lasts from 10 to 20 weeks, although training for certain occupations—nuclear power plant operator, for example—may take as long as a year. Recruits not assigned to classroom instruction receive on-the-job training at their first duty assignment.

Many service people get college credit for the technical training they receive on duty. Combined with off-duty courses, such training can lead to an associate’s degree through programs in community colleges, such as the Community College of the Air Force. In addition to receiving on-duty training, military personnel may choose from a variety of educational programs. Most military installations have tuition assistance programs for people who want to take courses during off-duty hours. The courses may be correspondence courses or courses in degree programs offered by local colleges or universities. Tuition assistance pays up to 100 percent of college costs, but there is usually an annual credit-hour limit. Each branch of the service provides opportunities for full-time study to a limited number of exceptional applicants. Military personnel accepted into these highly competitive programs receive full pay, allowances, tuition, and related fees. In return, they must agree to serve an additional amount of time in the service. Other highly selective programs enable enlisted personnel to qualify as commissioned officers through additional military training.

Warrant officer training. Warrant officers are technical and tactical leaders who specialize in a specific technical area; for example, Army aviators make up one group of warrant officers. About 1 percent of the total personnel in the military are warrant officers. Although the number is small in size, the level of responsibility is high. Warrant officers receive extended career opportunities, worldwide leadership assignments, and increased pay and retirement benefits. Selection to attend Warrant Officer Candidate School is highly competitive and restricted to those who meet rank and length-of-service requirements. The only exception is the selection process for Army aviator warrant officer, which has no requirement of prior military service.

Officer training. Officer training in the Armed Forces is provided through the federal service academies (Military, Naval, Air Force, and Coast Guard); the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program offered at many colleges and universities; Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Training School (OTS); the National Guard (State Officer Candidate School programs); the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences; and other programs. All are highly selective and are good options for those who want to make the military a career. Some personnel are directly appointed to attend one of these academies or programs. People interested in getting training through the federal service academies must be unmarried and without dependents to enter and graduate, while those seeking training through OCS, OTS, or ROTC may be married.

Federal service academies provide a 4-year college program leading to a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Midshipmen or cadets receive free room and board, tuition, medical and dental care, and a monthly allowance. Graduates receive regular or reserve commissions and have a 5-year active-duty obligation, or more if they are entering flight training.

To become a candidate for appointment as a cadet or midshipman in one of the service academies, applicants must be nominated by an authorized source, usually a member of Congress. Candidates do not need to personally know a member of Congress to request a nomination. Nominees must have an academic record of the requisite quality, college aptitude test scores above an established minimum, and recommendations from teachers or school officials; they also must pass a medical examination. Appointments are made from the list of eligible nominees. Appointments to the Coast Guard Academy, however, are based strictly on merit and do not require a nomination.

Participants in ROTC programs take regular college courses along with 3 to 5 hours of military instruction per week. After graduation, they may serve as officers on active duty for a specific period. Some may serve their obligation in the Reserves or National Guard. In the last 2 years of an ROTC program, students typically receive a monthly allowance while attending school, as well as additional pay for summer training. ROTC scholarships for 2, 3, and 4 years of school are available on a competitive basis. All scholarships pay for tuition and have allowances for textbooks, supplies, and other costs.

College graduates can earn a commission in the Armed Forces through OCS or OTS programs in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and National Guard. These programs consist of several weeks of intensive academic, physical, and leadership training. Those who graduate as officers generally must serve their obligation on active duty.

Personnel with training in certain health professions may qualify for direct appointment as officers. In the case of people studying for the health professions, financial assistance and internship opportunities are available from the military in return for specified periods of military service. Prospective medical students can apply to the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, which offers a salary and free tuition in a program leading to a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. In return, graduates must serve for 7 years in either the military or the Public Health Service. Direct appointments also are available for those qualified to serve in other specialty areas, such as the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps for those in the legal field or the Chaplain Corps for those in religious ministry. Flight training is available to commissioned officers in each branch of the Armed Forces. In addition, the Army has a direct enlistment option to become a warrant officer aviator.

Licenses

Certain occupational specialties require licensure, such as physicians, dentists, nurses, and many of the other medical specialties. For more information, see the profiles on physicians and surgeons, dentists, and registered nurses.

Certification

Depending on the occupational specialty, members of the military may be eligible for civilian certifications. Some of these include air traffic controllers, dental assistants, medical laboratory technicians, and many others. Currently, the U.S. military is working with several different certifying bodies to ensure that members who separate from the Armed Forces receive formal recognition in the private sector for their military-based technical training. In addition, the military is now required to provide job transition assistance when members separate, to help veterans match their military training with civilian employment.

Advancement

Each service has different criteria to determine the promotion of personnel. Generally, the first few promotions for both enlisted personnel and officers come easily; subsequent promotions are much more competitive. Criteria for promotion may include time in service and in grade, job performance, a fitness report, and passing scores on written exams. People planning to apply the skills they gained through military training to a civilian career should first determine how good the prospects are for civilian employment in jobs related to the military specialty that interests them. Second, they should know the prerequisites for the related civilian job. Because many civilian occupations require a license, certification, or minimum level of education, it is important to determine whether military training is enough to enter the civilian equivalent occupation or whether additional training will be needed. School counselors often have additional information.

Pay

Basic pay is based on rank and time in service. The pay structure for military personnel is shown in table 4. Pay bands are the same for all branches of service. Members of the Armed Forces receive additional pay for foreign duty, hazardous duty, submarine duty, flight duty, and for being medical officers. Retirement pay is generally available after 20 years of service.

In addition to basic pay, members of the military are housed free of charge on base or receive allowances for housing, with higher allowances for those with dependents.

The military and Department of Veterans Affairs offer many entitlements to those who serve. This includes the Montgomery GI Bill, which will pay for a portion of educational costs at accredited institutions; medical care at military or VA hospitals; and guaranteed home loans.

Job Outlook

Opportunities should be excellent for qualified individuals in all branches of the Armed Forces.

The United States spends a significant portion of its overall budget on national defense. The number of active-duty personnel is expected to remain roughly constant through 2020. However, the drawdown from recent conflicts may lead to a decrease in the number of active-duty personnel. This should be balanced by the need to fill entry-level positions as members of the Armed Forces move up through the ranks, leave the service, or retire. The current goal of the Armed Forces is to maintain a force sufficient to fight and win two major regional conflicts at the same time. Political events, however, could lead to a significant restructuring.

Job Prospects

Opportunities should be excellent for qualified individuals in all branches of the Armed Forces through 2020. Many military personnel retire with a pension after 20 years of service, while they still are young enough to start a new career.

About 165,000 personnel must be recruited each year to replace those who complete their commitment or retire. Since the end of the draft in 1973, the military has met its personnel requirements with volunteers.

When the economy is thriving and civilian employment opportunities generally are more favorable, it is more difficult for all the services to meet their recruitment quotas. It is also more difficult to meet these goals during times of war, when recruitment goals typically rise. When there are economic downturns, recruits may face more competition for various occupational specialties.

Educational requirements will continue to rise as military jobs become more technical and complex. High school graduates and applicants with a college background will be sought to fill the ranks of enlisted personnel, while nearly all officers will likely need at least a bachelor's degree and, in some cases, a graduate degree as well.

Similar Occupations

The military employs people in many different occupational specialties, many of which are similar to civilian occupations. To match military occupations with similar civilian occupations, O*Net OnLine offers the Military Crosswalk Search tool.

Contacts for More Information

Each of the military services publishes handbooks, fact sheets, and pamphlets describing its entrance requirements, its training opportunities, and other aspects of military careers. These publications are available at all recruiting stations, at most state employment service offices, and in high schools, colleges, and public libraries. 

For more information on the individual services, visit

U.S. Air Force

Air National Guard

U.S. Army

Army National Guard

U.S. Coast Guard

U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Navy

In addition, the Defense Manpower Data Center, an agency of the Department of Defense, publishes Military Career Guide Online, a comprehensive guide to military occupational training, and career information designed for use by students and jobseekers. 

To see the guide, visit

Today’s Military

Publish Date: Thursday, March 29, 2012