Before soldiers train for their MOS, they go through Basic Combat Training.
Along with travel and adventure, today's high-tech Army has taken to attracting recruits with education and specialized training. While gun wielding infantry may be the most iconic representation of this branch of the United States military, behind each shooter is a long line of highly trained technical specialists who make the modern high-tech Army run. After completing Basic Combat Training, enlisted personnel and officers alike move on to train for the job they will be doing in the Army, or their "Military Occupational Specialty" (MOS).
Combat Arms
While all soldiers learns the fundamentals of combat and marksmanship in their initial weeks of Basic Combat Training, those men assigned to the combat arms (as of September 2010, the Army does not allow women to join the Combat Arms) go through additional MOS specific training, be it Infantry (11B), Armor Crewman (19K), Canon Crewmember (13B) or any other combat or direct support position. This advanced training covers the operation of specific weapon systems, further training with explosives, combat first aid and advanced operational tactics within each soldier's field.
Aviation
Helicopters are an integral part of Army field operations. Accordingly, the Army needs both pilots and mechanics to keep their aircraft flying. Those who want to become pilots should talk to an Army recruiter about becoming commissioned officers by applying to Officer Candidate School (OCS), or joining the Warrant Officer Corps by applying to Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS).
Those who choose to enlist, as opposed to applying to OCS or WOCS, can train in one of the many support positions, such as air traffic control (15Q), or a number of mechanical positions that involve mastering complex flight systems to keep the Army's aircraft in top running condition.
Language
If the MOS calls for training in a foreign language, soldiers are sent to the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California for a variety of immersion programs designed to quickly give soldiers a functional grasp on the language being taught. These programs vary from brief courses designed for a basic understanding of the language, to longer courses designed to bring students to effective fluency.
Computers and Networking
Computers and the Internet are the next major frontier in warfare. The Army maintains vast networks that span the globe to keep operations on track. Soldiers trained in positions like Nodal Network Systems Operator-Maintainer (25N) and Military Intelligence Systems Maintainer/Integrator (35T) are needed to implement, maintain and secure them everyday.
Engineering and Construction
The Army needs things built on a regular basis. It might be a bridge over a river in short order, a forward operating base or a humanitarian mission to build a new hospital in a third world country. For these reasons the Army trains its own corps of engineers (12B), and construction specialists from carpenters and masons (12W), to electricians (12R).
Tags: Basic Combat, Basic Combat Training, Combat Training, Army needs, Candidate School, Combat Arms, courses designed
