What does mos mean in the military?

Pronunciation

/moʊs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

In the United States military, a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is a specific job or position that a service member is trained to perform. Each MOS requires a unique set of skills, knowledge, and abilities. There are over 130 MOSs in the military, ranging from administrative roles to specialized technical positions.

Examples

• The Navy has several MOSs for pilots, including AH-1Z Viper and SH-60 Seahawk.
• The Army has a MOS for military police, responsible for enforcing law and order on military installations.

Synonyms

• Occupation
• Job

Antonyms

• Civilian role
• Non-military job

Etymology

The term “MOS” originated from the United States Army’s use of Military Occupational Classification (MOC) codes in the 1960s. The codes were used to categorize soldiers by their job duties and were later replaced by the term “MOS” in the 1970s.

Usage Notes

MOS is usually used in military contexts to refer to a specific job or position. However, it can also be used in more general terms to describe any job or occupation.

Cultural References

The term “MOS” has been referenced in various forms of media, including movies, TV shows, and music. For example, the movie “Full Metal Jacket” features a scene where a Marine Corps drill instructor assigns recruits to their MOS.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

A common idiomatic expression related to MOS is “getting your MOS,” which means to find one’s assigned job or position in the military.

Related Words or Phrases

• Job specialty
• Occupational classification

Collocations

• MOS and skills
• MOS and training

Frequency of Use

The term “MOS” is frequently used in military and government contexts, as well as in business and education settings.

Common Misspellings

• Moos
• Moos-e