Military Credentials Reference

What military training
actually looks like.

A plain-language guide for employers, so you know what you are looking at when a veteran's credentials appear on an application.

A note to employers before you read this page

You are under no obligation to accept military credentials when posting a role on WorkHonest. Selecting that option is entirely your choice, and we respect that different roles have different requirements.

But we do ask you to consider one thing before deciding: military training is rigorous, structured, and often directly equivalent to what a 4-year degree program teaches, sometimes more so. A Navy C School graduate has completed hundreds of hours of hands-on technical instruction in a specific discipline. An Army MOS holder has been trained, tested, and certified to operate in high-pressure environments where the stakes of failure are real.

The purpose of this page is not to tell you what to do. It is to give you enough context to make a genuinely informed decision. Your strongest candidate for a role may have credentials you have not seen before. We built this page so you know what they mean.

This reference is grounded in the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide, maintained under a US Department of Defense contract, which has evaluated and documented the academic equivalency of military training for over 70 years. Source: acenet.edu/militaryguide
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United States Army
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Every soldier is trained and certified in a specific occupational specialty. MOS codes define both the training received and the proficiency demonstrated.
MOS / CredentialWhat They Trained InCivilian Equivalent
25B IT SpecialistNetwork administration, systems maintenance, cybersecurity fundamentals, help desk operationsBS Information Technology or CompTIA A+/Network+
Often includes hands-on experience that exceeds entry-level IT degree programs
92A Automated Logistical SpecialistSupply chain management, inventory control, warehouse operations, logistics systemsBS Supply Chain Management or Logistics
Directly applicable to operations, procurement, and distribution roles
25U Signal Support Systems SpecialistCommunications systems, network infrastructure, signal operations, technical supportBS Telecommunications or Network Engineering
68W Combat MedicEmergency medical care, patient assessment, trauma response, pharmacology basicsEMT-Basic to EMT-Paramedic plus clinical experience
ACE recommends college credit for 68W training
15T UH-60 Helicopter RepairerMechanical systems, hydraulics, avionics, preventive maintenance, technical documentationAS Aviation Maintenance Technology or A&P Certificate
11B Infantry / NCO LeadershipTeam leadership, mission planning, operations under pressure, personnel managementManagement or Operations coursework plus demonstrated leadership experience
Leadership credentials increase substantially at E-5 and above
United States Navy
A School and C School Ratings
A School provides foundational occupational training. C School provides advanced technical specialization in a specific rating. Both involve structured instruction, written exams, and practical evaluations.
Rating / SchoolWhat They Trained InCivilian Equivalent
IT (Information Systems Technician) A SchoolNetworking, cybersecurity basics, systems administration, communications infrastructureAS Information Technology or CompTIA Network+/Security+
IT C SchoolAdvanced network architecture, satellite communications, classified systems, enterprise ITBS Information Technology or CCNA-level certification
C School graduates have often managed systems at a complexity level beyond most civilian entry-level IT roles
HM (Hospital Corpsman) A SchoolMedical terminology, patient care, pharmacology, emergency response, clinical proceduresEMT-Paramedic or Surgical Technician Certificate
CS (Culinary Specialist) A SchoolFood service management, nutrition, large-scale kitchen operations, inventory, cost controlAS Culinary Arts or Food Service Management Certificate
LS (Logistics Specialist) A SchoolSupply chain, inventory management, procurement, shipping and receiving, financial accountabilityBS Supply Chain Management or Logistics Certificate
ET (Electronics Technician) C SchoolAdvanced electronics, radar systems, communications equipment, troubleshootingBS Electronics Engineering Technology or ETA Certification
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United States Air Force
Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC)
Airmen are classified by specialty code and trained through a combination of formal technical school and on-the-job evaluation. Most AFSCs require both written and hands-on proficiency testing.
AFSC / CredentialWhat They Trained InCivilian Equivalent
3D0X2 Cyber Systems OperationsNetwork security, systems administration, intrusion detection, incident responseBS Cybersecurity or CompTIA Security+/CySA+
USAF cyber training is among the most rigorous in the military. Many 3D0X2 graduates hold multiple certifications
3F0X1 PersonnelHR administration, benefits management, records management, organizational supportAS Human Resources or PHR preparation coursework
2S0X1 Materiel ManagementSupply chain, inventory systems, procurement, warehousing, property accountabilityBS Supply Chain Management or APICS CSCP preparation
4N0X1 Aerospace Medical ServicePatient care, emergency medicine, aeromedical evacuation, clinical supportEMT-Basic to Paramedic with additional clinical training
6F0X1 Financial ManagementBudget execution, accounting, financial reporting, auditing, resource managementBS Accounting or Finance with government accounting emphasis
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United States Marine Corps
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Marines complete both recruit training and occupational specialty school. USMC training is known for intensity and breadth, with particular emphasis on leadership at every level.
MOS / CredentialWhat They Trained InCivilian Equivalent
0651 Data Network SpecialistNetwork administration, telecommunications, systems configuration, help deskAS Information Technology or CompTIA A+/Network+
3043 Supply Chain and Material ManagementInventory control, logistics coordination, procurement, distribution managementBS Supply Chain Management or Operations Management
0111 Administrative SpecialistRecords management, HR administration, correspondence, organizational supportAS Business Administration or Office Management Certificate
Staff NCO (E-6 and above)Personnel management, training program development, mission planning, resource allocationBS Management or equivalent leadership and management experience
Staff NCOs routinely manage teams of 10 to 50 people. This is real management experience
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United States Coast Guard
Ratings
Coast Guard ratings combine technical school training with operational experience in law enforcement, maritime safety, and emergency response. Often directly applicable to civilian roles in logistics, operations, and public safety.
RatingWhat They Trained InCivilian Equivalent
IT (Information Systems Technician)Network administration, communications systems, cybersecurity, systems supportBS Information Technology or CompTIA Network+/Security+
SK (Storekeeper)Supply chain, procurement, inventory management, financial accountabilityBS Supply Chain Management or Logistics
HS (Health Services Technician)Emergency medical care, patient administration, pharmacy operations, health recordsEMT-Paramedic or Medical Assistant with clinical experience
ME (Maritime Enforcement Specialist)Law enforcement, investigation, use of force, compliance operations, leadershipCriminal Justice degree or Law Enforcement Certificate
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United States Space Force
Specialty
As the newest branch, Space Force Guardians are primarily drawn from Air Force technical specialties with additional training in satellite operations, space domain awareness, and cyber warfare.
SpecialtyWhat They Trained InCivilian Equivalent
Spacecraft OperationsSatellite command and control, orbital mechanics, telemetry monitoring, anomaly resolutionBS Aerospace Engineering or Systems Engineering
Cyberspace OperationsOffensive and defensive cyber operations, network security, threat analysisBS Cybersecurity or equivalent CISSP/CEH preparation
IntelligenceThreat analysis, geospatial intelligence, data synthesis, adversary assessmentBS Intelligence Studies or Data Analysis

A note on this guide
This page lists examples, not an exhaustive catalog. The US military has hundreds of occupational specialties across all six branches. If you receive an application from a veteran with a credential not listed here, the ACE Military Guide at acenet.edu/militaryguide provides a searchable database of every evaluated military training program with its recommended college credit equivalencies. We encourage you to look it up before making a hiring decision.
Source and further reading
The equivalency information on this page is drawn from the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide, which has been evaluating military training for credit equivalency since 1945 under contract with the US Department of Defense. It is the authoritative reference for military-to-civilian credential translation.

Full database: acenet.edu/militaryguide

Veterans can also request an official ACE transcript showing their military training in academic credit terms, which many colleges and employers accept as documentation.

Ready to find your next hire?

Thousands of veterans with verified credentials are active on WorkHonest. When you post a role and select military credentials, they will see it. Your strongest candidate may already be here.