Warehousing and Distribution Specialists
Background
The military maintains a large inventory of food, medicines, ammunition, spare parts, and other supplies. Keeping the military's supply system operating smoothly is an important job. The lives of combat troops in the field may depend on receiving the right supplies on time. Warehousing and distribution specialists receive, store, record, and issue military supplies.
What They Do
Warehousing and distribution specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Give special handling to medicine, ammunition, and other delicate supplies
- Keep records on incoming and outgoing stock
- Load, unload, and move stock using equipment such as forklifts and hand trucks
- Locate and catalog stock
- Perform inventory and financial management procedures, including ordering, receiving, and storing supplies
- Select the correct stock for issue
Physical Demands
Warehousing and distribution specialists may have to lift and carry heavy boxes of ammunition and other supplies. Normal color vision is required for specialties that handle color-coded parts, supplies, and ammunition.
Special Requirements
No information available.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to keep accurate records
- Interest in operating forklifts and other warehouse equipment
- Preference for physical work
- Preference for work requiring attention to detail
Helpful School Subjects
Helpful school subjects include:
- Accounting
- Bookkeeping
- Business administration
- Math
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Warehousing and distribution specialists work in large general supply centers, small specialized supply rooms, or ship storerooms.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- 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 four to six weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in handling and storing stock.
Course content typically includes:
- Movement, storage, and maintenance of ammunition
- Procedures for handling medical and food supplies
- Procedures for shipping, receiving, storing, and issuing stock
- Stock control and accounting procedures
Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian warehousing and distribution specialist work for factories, parts departments in repair shops, department stores, and government warehouses and stockrooms. They perform duties similar to military warehousing and distribution specialists. Civilian warehousing and distribution specialists may also be called stock control clerks, parts clerks, or storekeepers.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 65,000 warehousing and distribution 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, specialists stock shelves, learn about different parts and supplies, and fill supply requests. In time, they also estimate needs, order stock, and supervise others. Eventually, they may become superintendents of supply centers.