Military Career Classifications

Thinking about a career in the Armed Services? See if you're a good candidate to become an enlisted personnel or officer.

There are three types of military occupations:

• Enlisted Personnel carry out the fundamental operations of the military.
• Warrant Officers (Army, Navy and Marines) are the technical experts in the military. They are generally selected from enlisted personnel in a competitive selection process.
• Officers are the leaders of the military, similar to corporate executives or managers.

Enlisted personnel and officers usually advance along separate career paths. Predict your future occupational and academic success in the armed forces with the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program.

Becoming an Enlisted Personnel and Warrant Officer

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's interests. A local recruiter performs the initial processing of applicants. Then applicants are sent to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) for a physical examination. Finally, they take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The results of the physical and the ASVAB determine basic eligibility and training program qualifications.

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 has completed basic training and enters advanced training.

Active duty enlisted personnel — with at least 12 months remaining in active duty — as well as interested civilians can apply to become a warrant officer. Once accepted to the warrant officer program, personnel receive specialized advanced training in their technical area.

Becoming an Officer

Military officers usually begin their careers gaining experience in a chosen occupational field. Working closely with more senior officers, they also start 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 vary by service. But guidelines define that Officer Candidate School (OCS) enrollees are between the ages of 19 and 29. The National Guard may choose 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.

Source: Today's Military online guide, The U.S. Department of Defense, Washington D.C.