Military Terminology - Page 2

Coast Guard Ratings

Coast Guard Ratings

Updated: February 26, 2022

U.S. Coast Guard ratings are like the rating system used by the Navy, known as Navy Enlistment Classification (NEC) codes. The U.S. Army and Marines use Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes, and the U.S. Air Force uses the Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSC). Don’t confuse “ratings” with “rates.” Rates are the Navy and Coast Guard’s enlisted pay grades. For example, a petty officer third class whose […]

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Space Force specialty codes

Space Force Specialty Codes

Updated: March 28, 2022

Since the Space Force grew out of space-related Air Force specialties, they are currently using the AFSC structure to identify Space Force careers. This list of Space Force careers for officers and enlisted members continues to grow and has not been finalized. A Guide to All U.S. Space Force Enlisted Specialty Codes Here are the […]

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Army MOS Codes

Updated: February 26, 2022

The Army calls their enlisted jobs military occupational specialties (MOS). When a soldier graduates from boot camp, they get their first job, their primary MOS. They then head to advanced training. During their career, they may get an additional MOS, indicating special skills or duties performed on tours or in training programs. There are about […]

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Air Force Specialty Codes

Air Force Specialty Codes

Updated: March 28, 2022

The U.S. Air Force identifies their careers using an Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC). The Air Force has 123 enlisted AFSCs that are made up of five alphanumeric characters. Let’s take a look at an AFSC 2T371A and break it down for you: The first number (2) is the career group of logistics and maintenance. […]

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Navy enlisted classification codes (NECs)

Navy Enlisted Classification Codes (NEC)

Updated: March 28, 2022

While the Army and Marines use the Military Occupational Specialty Code (MOS) and the Air Force uses the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC), the Navy uses ratings within the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) system to organize its jobs. It may look like there are just a few ratings, but there are many jobs classified within […]

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How To Salute Properly

How To Salute Properly

Updated: July 25, 2021

How do you salute properly and what are the rules? The salute is a very old tradition that predates America by many centuries. In American military tradition, the salute is said to have come from Roman times when it was common to raise the right hand to show friendly, unarmed intent. In more contemporary times, […]

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The Pledge Of Allegiance

The Pledge Of Allegiance

Updated: July 11, 2021

The Pledge of Allegiance is an American tradition that is sometimes misunderstood, and sometimes controversial. It is a 31-word oath sworn originally to “the flag and to the republic for which it stands.” Pledge of Allegiance Text Thirty-one words which affirm the values and freedom that the American flag represents are recited while facing the […]

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Force Protection Condition Levels (FPCON)

Force Protection Condition Levels (FPCON)

Updated: July 7, 2021

Have you ever been on a military base and seen a sign with the words—FPCON ALPHA? Whether you are a military member, civilian employee, dependent, or just a visitor, it’s a sign you need to pay attention to. Force Protection Conditions, or FPCON for short, is a counter-terrorist threat system used by the U.S. military […]

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American Flag Etiquette Dos and Donts

American Flag Etiquette Dos and Donts

Updated: October 29, 2021

The official guide to American Flag etiquette is found in the United States Flag Code, which is formalized in Title 4 of the United States Code. The Flag Code may be found in federal law, but there is no enforcement action associated with violations of the code. You cannot go to jail for violations of […]

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Secretary of the Navy

Secretary Of The Navy

Updated: June 17, 2021

The Secretary of the United States Navy serves the Department of Defense as the senior Navy leader reporting to the Secretary of Defense. The Secretary of the Navy, also known as SECNAV, is the chief executive officer of the Navy and serves as a non-cabinet-level civilian responsible for the functions and readiness of the Navy. […]

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