Advancing in the Military

As a recruit, you will attend basic training to prepare physically and mentally to become a member of your service branch. Basic training typically spans seven to 12 weeks, depending on your service. After graduation from basic training, you will attend advanced training and, in some cases, additional training to learn your job.

Enlisted members start their careers as junior enlisted personnel, called privates in the Army and Marine Corps, airman basic in the Air Force and seaman recruit in the Navy. Though military titles and rank can differ by service, the military standardizes pay grade rankings, designating them as E-1 through E-9.

Pay and responsibilities increase as you rise through the enlisted ranks. An enlistee may rise through the lower ranks fairly quickly, although promotions tend to happen less frequently after the rank of E-4, because Congress limits the number of these positions.

Becoming a noncommissioned officer

A service member reaches the rank of noncommissioned officer at the rank of E-4 or E-5, depending on their branch of service and military title. Noncommissioned officers are high-ranking enlisted members who have leadership authority.

Warrant officers

It is possible to become a warrant officer — a technical and tactical leader — without holding a four-year college degree. Warrant officer pay grades are designated W-1 through W-5 (W-2 through W-4 in the Navy). The Air Force is the only service that does not have the rank of warrant officer.

An enlisted member may apply to become a commissioned officer. If you are well-qualified and hold a bachelor’s degree, your commanding officer may nominate you to attend officer candidate or officer training school. Some service branches offer programs in which an enlistee earns a college degree and attends officer school while serving in the military.

The Army and Marine Corps call it Officer Candidate School. In the Navy and Air Force, it’s Officer Training School. No matter its name, this intensive training program will prepare you mentally and physically for the demands of being a commissioned military officer.

Requirements for officer school

Being a U.S. citizen and having a four-year college degree or higher are the bare minimum requirements for officer school. Beyond that, the selection process is highly competitive across service branches. Candidates must meet physical standards, may have to pass a qualifying test and should demonstrate that they have leadership ability, integrity, dependability, academic discipline and adaptability.

About officer school

Officer school spans from 9 1/2 – 12 weeks, depending on your branch of service. During that time, you will begin to develop the qualities of an officer, including military bearing, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure and adverse conditions.

Curriculum varies according to service, but in general, training school includes:

• Regular physical conditioning and physical fitness tests
• Academic classes in military subjects, leadership and ethics, and others
• Military training, including inspections and drills

Learn more about Officer Training School and Officer Candidate School by service branch.

• Army Officer Candidate School
• Marine Corps Officer Candidates School
• Navy Officer Candidate School
• Air Force Officer Training School

Other paths to becoming a military officer

Attending officer school after college is just one way to earn a commission in the military. There are other paths as well:

• Attend a military service academy. Each branch of the military has a four-year university that offers full scholarships to its students. Graduates serve as commissioned officers in the military. Acceptance into these academies is highly competitive.
  • Army — U.S. Military Academy
  • Navy and Marine Corps — U.S. Naval Academy
  • Air Force — U.S. Air Force Academy
• Advance through the enlisted ranks. Enlistees may use their military education benefits to earn a four-year degree, then apply to officer school.
• Receive a direct commission after earning a professional degree, such as a medical, law or religious studies degree. Direct commission officers are required to attend officer training. This is a good option for civilians who want to serve their country and who have special skills to offer.

You can learn more about joining the military as a commissioned officer by contacting a recruiter from your service branch or by calling Military OneSource at 800-342-9647.

Every service member has a specific job, often called a military occupational specialty or rating, usually assigned very soon after enlistment or basic training. Each specialty includes specific duties you will be expected to perform to help your service branch protect the peace and fulfill its mission.

Specialties are assigned based on your personal talents and skills, available “billets” or job openings, and the overall mission needs of your service branch, both current and future.

If you’d like to change specialties and try something new, you can take steps to find a new position as you continue your service. But be aware — a change in military specialty is not always possible or guaranteed.

The Army and Marine Corps calls this type of change a “reclassification” or “change of military operations specialty.” The Navy calls it a “cross-rate,” and, in the Air Force, it is “re-training.” But no matter what it’s called in your branch, be aware the military expects service members to stay in their first specialty for a while – usually several years. After all, it’s taken time and resources to train you – the military wants to see a return on its investment.

Occasionally, a branch may run a “mandatory reclassification” to maintain a balanced fighting force.

Increasing your chances of changing jobs

You must ask for a transfer through your chain of command. Your branch’s approval depends a lot on your personal situation. If your service record is clean and you have a good reputation with your chain of command, your request is more likely to be considered.

In addition, a transfer may be more likely if:

• You are re-enlisting. You can request a specialty reassignment when you re-enlist, during which you agree to serve for another few years in your new position. This is likely the best time to make a move to a new position.
• There are too many personnel in your current position. If your current specialty is overstaffed, it may be easier to move to a different specialty with fewer staff positions.
• Your desired specialty is understaffed. If the specialty you would like to join needs more personnel, you’re more likely to be able to make the change. Your service branch may even send out a call looking for people interested in switching to critically understaffed positions.
• You’ve received more training or education, like a college degree, that makes you more valuable in a different position. Some specialties aren’t available until you’ve served for a few years, like many positions in the special operations units.

Use your MOS to find a civilian job

You can absolutely use the skills and experience you’ve gained in the civilian workforce. In fact, many of the specialties require civilian-based credentials and training to operate effectively. For example, both military and civilian air traffic controllers are FAA-certified.

Several Defense Department programs help separating service members find solid civilian careers. For example, each service branch runs a credentialing program designed to translate a service member’s specialty and general military experience into a civilian-style resume hiring managers can understand.

And remember, Military OneSource is here to connect you to the resources and services you need to live your best military life.