🎯 Combat & ground forces
The front-line fight — closing with the enemy on the ground and the fire support and mobility that back it up.
What they do
Combat arms are the units that fight on the ground and the crews that give them firepower and mobility. Infantry close with the enemy on foot; artillery and mortar crews deliver indirect fire; armor and cavalry fight and scout in tanks and fighting vehicles; combat engineers breach obstacles, clear routes, and build fighting positions.
The work is physically demanding and team-driven, built on marksmanship, small-unit tactics, land navigation, and the ability to lead and make decisions under stress. Non-commissioned officers take on real leadership of people and equipment early.
Jobs & codes by branch
Representative jobs in this field and their military occupation codes — not a complete list; each branch has many more and codes change. Use the official job finders below for the full, current list.
Army
11B Infantryman · 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman · 11Z Infantry Senior Sergeant · 19D Cavalry Scout · 19K M1 Armor Crewman · 13B Cannon Crewmember · 13F Fire Support Specialist · 13J Fire Control Specialist · 13M MLRS Crewmember · 13P MLRS Operations/Fire Direction · 13R Field Artillery Firefinder Radar Operator · 12B Combat Engineer · 12C Bridge Crewmember
Marine Corps
0311 Rifleman · 0313 LAV Crewman · 0331 Machine Gunner · 0341 Mortarman · 0351 Infantry Assault · 0352 Anti-Tank Missile Gunner · 0369 Infantry Unit Leader · 0321 Reconnaissance Marine · 0811 Field Artillery Cannoneer · 0844 Fire Control Marine · 0861 Fire Support Man · 1371 Combat Engineer
ASVAB areas that matter
Arithmetic Reasoning (AR) and Mechanical Comprehension (MC), often with Auto & Shop (AS). Physical standards are the biggest gate. Your AFQT score decides whether you can enlist; individual subtests combine into “line scores” that set which jobs you qualify for. Prepare with our free ASVAB practice tests.
How it transfers to civilian work
The leadership, discipline, and grace under pressure transfer strongly to law enforcement and federal agencies, security and emergency management, operations and logistics supervision, and the skilled trades. Combat engineers move directly into construction and heavy-equipment work. Many use the GI Bill to earn a degree and step into management. Useful credentials: state security/law-enforcement (POST) certification, PMP, OSHA, CDL.
See every job & the exact requirements
Codes, availability, and ASVAB minimums vary by branch and change often — confirm on each branch's official job finder: Army ↗ · Navy ↗ · Air Force ↗ · Marine Corps ↗ · Space Force ↗ · Coast Guard ↗.