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 lasts seven to 12 weeks, depending on your service. After graduation, you will attend advanced training and, in some cases, additional training to learn your job.

Although titles and rank differ by service, military pay grades are standardized from E-1 through E-9. Pay and responsibilities increase as you advance. Promotions may occur quickly in the lower ranks but typically slow after E-4 because Congress limits the number of these positions.

Becoming a noncommissioned officer

Service members become noncommissioned officers at E-4 or E-5, depending on their branch. Noncommissioned officers are high-ranking enlisted members with leadership authority.

Warrant officers

It is possible to become a warrant officer — a technical and tactical leader — without a four-year college degree. Warrant officer pay grades range from W-1 through W-5 (W-2 through W-4 in the Navy). The Air Force and the Coast Guard do not have warrant officers.

An enlisted member may apply to become a commissioned officer. Well-qualified candidates with a bachelor’s degree may be nominated by their commanding officer to attend officer candidate or training school. Some branches offer programs that allow enlistees to earn a degree and attend officer school while serving.

The Army, Marine Corps and Coast Guard call it Officer Candidate School, while the Navy and Air Force call it Officer Training School. Regardless of the name, these programs prepare candidates for the mental and physical demands of being a commissioned military officer.

Requirements for officer school

At a minimum, candidates must be U.S. citizens with a four-year college degree. Selection is competitive, and candidates must meet physical standards, pass qualifying tests and demonstrate leadership, integrity, dependability, academic discipline and adaptability.

About officer school

Officer school is nine to 12 weeks, depending on your branch of service. Training focuses on military bearing, teamwork and performance under pressure and adverse conditions. Curricula vary by service branch but generally include:

• Physical conditioning and fitness tests
• Academic instruction in military subjects, leadership and ethics
• Military training, including inspections and drills

Learn more about officer training by service branch.

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

Other paths to becoming a military officer

Other commissioning paths include:

• Attending a military service academy, which offers a four-year degree and full scholarship in exchange for commissioned service. Acceptance into these academies is competitive.
  • Army — U.S. Military Academy
  • Navy and Marine Corps — U.S. Naval Academy
  • Air Force — U.S. Air Force Academy
  • Coast Guard — U.S. Coast Guard Academy

• Advancing through the enlisted ranks, earning a degree and applying to officer school.
• Receiving a direct commission after earning a professional degree in fields such as medicine, law or religious studies.

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.

Service members are usually assigned a specialty soon after enlistment or basic training. Each specialty includes specific duties that support the mission of the service branch.

Specialties are assigned based on skills, available positions and mission needs. While it’s sometimes possible to change specialties, approval isn’t guaranteed. The military expects service members to stay in their first specialty for several years.

Occasionally, branches conduct mandatory reclassifications to maintain force balance.

Increasing your chances of changing jobs

Requests must go through your chain of command. Transfers are more likely if:

• You are reenlisting. You can request a specialty reassignment when you reenlist, 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

Many military specialties align with civilian careers and require industry credentials. Several programs help translate military experience into civilian resumes. Military OneSource can connect you with career transition resources.

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