In the military context, “MOS” stands for “Military Occupational Specialty.” It is a term used primarily in the United States Army and Marine Corps to designate a specific job or role that a service member is trained for and performs. Each MOS is associated with a unique code that identifies the job, such as infantry, logistics, communications, medical, and many others.
The MOS system helps to categorize the various positions within the military and ensures that personnel are assigned to roles that match their skills and training. Service members typically receive training related to their MOS during basic training and advanced individual training (AIT) or technical school, depending on the branch of service.
For example, in the Army, the MOS for a soldier serving as a combat medic might be 68W, while a soldier serving as an infantryman might have an MOS of 11B. Each MOS has specific responsibilities, required training, and career progression opportunities associated with it.
Overall, MOS is a critical part of military structure, ensuring that the right skills are matched with the right positions to maintain operational effectiveness.