Administrative Support Specialists
Background
The military must keep accurate information for planning and managing its operations. Paper and electronic records are kept on equipment, funds, personnel, supplies, and all other aspects of the military. Administrative support specialists record information, type reports, and maintain files to assist in the operation of military offices.
What They Do
Administrative support specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Answer phones and provide general information
- Greet and direct office visitors
- Order office supplies
- Organize and maintain files and publications
- Proofread written material for spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors
- Schedule training and leave for unit personnel
- Sort and deliver mail to office workers
- Take meeting notes
- Use a computer to type and prepare letters, reports, and other kinds of documents
- Use office equipment such as fax machines, copiers, and computers
Physical Demands
No information available.
Special Requirements
No information available.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to organize and plan
- Interest in keeping organized and accurate records
- Interest in operating computers and other office machines
- Preference for office work
Helpful School Subjects
Helpful school subjects include:
- English
- Math
- Business administration
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Administrative support specialists work in office settings, both on land and aboard ships.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Coast Guard
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for enlisted personnel.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
Job training consists of six to ten weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in various office functions.
Course content typically includes:
- English grammar, spelling, and punctuation
- Keyboard and clerical skills
- Preparing forms and correspondence in military style
- Setting up and maintaining filing and publication systems
Further training occurs on the job.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian administrative support specialists work in most business, government, and legal offices. They perform duties similar to military administrative support specialists and are called secretaries, general office clerks, administrative assistants, or office managers.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 23,000 administrative support specialists. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new specialists due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, administrative support specialists develop their skills under close supervision. As they gain experience, specialists are assigned more difficult tasks and work more independently. In time, they may supervise and eventually manage an office.