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Military Mortuary Affairs Specialists

Military Career

General Information

Description

Mortuary affairs specialists assist personnel and their families during times of grief and sadness. They work in both combat and noncombat situations to search for, and identify, deceased personnel. They help with the inventory and safeguarding of personal effects and provide internment. These specialists also assist the next of kin and provide funeral services.

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Work Environment

Mortuary affairs specialists work indoors when performing adminsitrative tasks related to burials, and outdoors when recovering remains and conducting funeral services.

Comparable Industries

  • Human Services

Related Military Careers

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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required
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Salary

What makes up a Military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Associate's degree 57%
  • Bachelor's degree 12%
  • First professional degree 12%
  • Post baccalaureate 9%
  • High school 7%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Mortuary affairs specialists in the Military will gain skills through classes and on-the-job experience. Training topics may include: Contracting (for services and supplies)Facility/program operationsCash handling Event planningDisintermentRemains preparation, preservation and shipment

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Military training

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All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Mortuary affairs specialists in the Military will gain skills through classes and on-the-job experience. Training topics may include:

  • Contracting (for services and supplies)
  • Facility/program operations
  • Cash handling
  • Event planning
  • Disinterment
  • Remains preparation, preservation and shipment

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Psychology
  • Administrative
  • Education and Training
  • English Language

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.