Store Managers

Background

The military operates retail stores for the convenience of service men and women. In some areas, particularly overseas, the goods and services offered at military stores, laundries, and barbershops are not otherwise available. Store managers manage personnel who store food, supplies, and equipment. Store managers direct the operation of retail service, food, and merchandise outlets.

What They Do

Store managers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Direct inventory, accounting, and other recordkeeping activities
• Direct personnel in purchasing, pricing, and selling food, supplies, and equipment
• Direct personnel in receiving, storing, and issuing supplies and equipment
• Plan and prepare store budgets
• Plan training programs for new workers
• Supervise the inspection, care, and testing of products before their use or sale

Physical Demands

No information available.

Special Requirements

A four-year college degree is normally required to enter this career.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in managing a business
• Interest in planning and directing the work of others
• Interest in planning work schedules

Helpful School Subjects

No information available.

Helpful Fields of Study

Helpful fields of study include:

• Accounting
• Business administration
• Industrial management
• Management
• Marketing

Work Environment

Store managers work in retail stores or warehouses on land and aboard ships.

Services offering this career:

• 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 officers.

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 five to ten weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty.

Course content typically includes:

• Accounting and recordkeeping
• Budget management
• Inventory control
• Personnel and office administration
• Retail store and warehouse management

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian store managers may work in many kinds of retail businesses. Some manage grocery, department, discount, and other large stores. Others manage warehouses that receive, store, and issue merchandise and supplies for retail outlets. Civilian store managers perform duties similar to those performed in the military. They may also be called retail store managers and distribution warehouse managers.

Related Civilian Careers

• General and Operations Managers
• Sales Worker Supervisors

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 1,000 store managers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new store managers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, store managers are assigned to supply, exchange, or food service units. With experience, they may advance to senior management and command positions.