Military - Career Classifications

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There are three types of military occupations. The first type, Enlisted Personnel, carries out the fundamental operations of the military. The second type, Warrant Officers (Army, Navy and Marines), are the technical experts in the military. The third type are Officers who are the leaders of the military and fill roles like those of corporate executives or managers. Officers develop plans, set objectives, and motivate other officers, warrant officers and enlisted soldiers to meet those goals.

Enlisted personnel and officers usually advance along separate career paths. However, each service has programs that enable selected enlisted personnel to become commissioned officers. The entrance standards for these programs are high, and the competition is strong.

To learn more about a tool designed to predict future occupational and academic success in the armed forces go to Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program.

Enlisted Personnel

Enlisted personnel carry out the fundamental operations of the military. Their roles are like those of company employees and supervisors. Enlisted supervisors (E-4 rank and above) are responsible for the well being of other enlisted members, and for the care of the military equipment and property under their control. High school graduation is one requirement for enlisted personnel, who are between 17 and 35 years of age (individual service age requirements may vary).

Each service of the military has different enlistment programs. The five services offer training and employment in more than 2,000 enlisted specialties. Recruiters for each of the services can explain eligibility differences to an applicant based on what training and assignments the applicant is interested in. A local recruiter performs the initial processing of applicants before applications are sent to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for a physical examination and to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The results of the physical and the ASVAB determine the basic eligibility and which training programs an applicant is qualified for.

After the initial processing, recruits go to basic training (also known as recruit training) to gain the physical conditioning and essential knowledge and skills to become able military members. Recruits are trained by other enlisted personnel in groups of 35 to 80 members. During this training, daily routines are rigorous. Most days start at 5 a.m. and last until 9 p.m. and include classes, meals, athletics, and field training. Although Saturdays and Sundays are less strenuous, little free time is available and travel time is limited. Vacation time is not authorized until the recruit enters advanced training, after they have completed basic training.

For more information, go to Enlisted Careers or Advancement of Enlisted Personnel.

Officer Personnel

Officers of the Military usually begin their careers gaining experience in their chosen occupational field. Working closely with more senior officers, they also begin supervising small groups of enlisted people. As officers become more experienced and advance in responsibility and rank, they direct more enlisted personnel, begin to lead other officers, and may eventually become the senior leaders and managers of the military. Commanding officers are responsible for every detail of U.S. ground, and naval forces, ships, flying squadrons, and amphibious assault forces.

Officers are generally college graduates. Minimum ages to enter officer training may vary by service. But guidelines define that Officer Candidate School (OCS) enrollees be between the ages of 19 and 29. The National Guard may chose to enroll soldiers in the OCS program up to age 35. For service academies (e.g., U.S. Naval Academy) enrollees must be between the ages of 17 and 22 and for the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, enrollees must be between the ages of 17 and 21.

The five services offer employment opportunities in more than 1,500 officer job specialties.

For more information, go to Officer Careers or Advancement of Officers.

Source: Military Careers online guide, The U.S. Department of Defense, Washington D.C.
Page last updated in February 2005.