Skills and Opportunities
Each branch of the Military offers training on a unique range of skills. Many of the jobs available have civilian equivalents and offer training that translates to a future civilian career. During your time in the Military you can gain the education, certification and experience necessary to rise above the competition – and land your future civilian job of choice.
All Services
There are thousands of opportunities available in today’s Military. Servicemembers are assigned jobs based on their skills, test scores and Service needs. Use the sites listed below to explore opportunities in all Services and then talk to a recruiter about what’s available to you.
Army
Following Basic Training, Soldiers receive additional training in job-specific skills. Today’s Army trains its Soldiers in over 150 Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), many using advanced technology (e.g., aircraft, sophisticated battlefield air defense systems, hand-held computers, Inter-Vehicular Information Systems, digital-burst radio systems and fire-control computers). This training is not only essential for the demands of 21st century defense but also makes Soldiers more marketable in today’s information-based society.
As the largest branch of the Military, the Army also trains personnel in everything from business administration to food service, logistics and procurement – just about any job you can find in a major city.
More about opportunities in the Army
More about opportunities in the Army Reserve
More about opportunities in the Army National Guard
Navy
After Boot Camp, Sailors are trained in hundreds of job specialties: traffic controller, information systems technician, intelligence specialist, interior communications technician, aviation and sonar technician, to name a few. You’ll find plenty of jobs on the water, but not everything happens on ships. The Navy needs health-care workers, interpreters, pilots, chefs and hundreds of other specialists as well.
More about opportunities in the Navy
More about opportunities in the Navy Reserve
Marine Corps
After Recruit Training, Marines attend either the School of Infantry or Marine Combat Training. After that, they receive either formal school training or on-the-job training. Emphasis is placed on hands-on training and practical skill application in every job. The Marine Corps also has a leadership-training program as well as an apprenticeship program.
More about opportunities in the Marine Corps
More about opportunities in the Marine Corps Reserve
Find a local Marine Corps recruiter
Air Force
Following Basic Military Training, Airmen are given further training to prepare for career specialties. The Air Force, like other Services, uses the latest technology, whether it’s dealing directly with aircraft or with complicated communications systems. Of course, there are plenty of Air Force jobs that aren’t about aviation at all. You can train in anything from public affairs to legal services and financial management and find a place in the Air Force that’s right for you.
The Air Force also offers a unique training opportunity and the chance to earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree free of charge. Some Airmen can earn a degree from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), the largest multi-campus, community college in the world and the only community college in the Department of Defense exclusively for enlisted personnel.
More about opportunities in the Air Force
More about opportunities in the Air Force Reserve
More about opportunities in the Air National Guard
Find a local Air Force recruiter
U.S. Coast Guard
After Recruit Training, Coast Guardsmen receive advanced training in a wide variety of occupations. Specialties in the Coast Guard support the Coast Guard’s three roles of Maritime Safety, Maritime Security and Maritime Stewardship. Enlisted jobs include deck and ordnance, engineering and hull, administrative and scientific, aviation, port security and investigation. All Coast Guard jobs are open to women.
The Coast Guard offers training in many job skills that transfer to the civilian work force for a post-Military career. Marine ecology and environmental studies are two areas of advancement the Coast Guard has worked closely with its civilian counterparts to develop.
More about opportunities in the Coast Guard
More about opportunities in the Coast Guard Reserve
Find a local Coast Guard recruiter