Munitions Systems

What does the Munitions Systems career field do?

The Munitions Systems career field is responsible for the safety, security, life-cycle logistics, and accountability of all non-nuclear munitions, as well as related sub-components and equipment. This career field is also responsible for the production, materiel, and systems operations needed to warehouse, sustain, assemble, account for, and transport munitions in support of national security objectives. Airmen assigned to the Munitions Systems career field develop skills toward gaining industry recognized professional degrees and certifications in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Project Management, Commercial Driver’s License, Hazardous Materials Management, Instructional Trainer, Safety, and more. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 164500.

Duties and responsibilities

• Supply Chain Management: Airmen working in this career field learn to manage munitions materiel and components throughout the supply chain from acquisition to disposal. Airmen will utilize various transportation modes such as air, sea, rail, and ground while managing the shipment of hazardous cargo and components across the global Air Force enterprise. Additionally, they will perform munitions materiel management, logistics, and accounting functions to ensure compliance with Department of Defense Financial Improvement and Audit Remediation (FIAR) objectives. This involves managing inventory processes and controlling auditable source documentation to ensure validity and completeness. Airmen learn how to monitor excess materiel, develop maintenance schedules, and operate inventory management software for materiel accounting, reporting, and configuration tracking. Munitions Airmen will oversee periodic surveillance inspection cycles and coordinate with maintenance activities on reliability status of and corrective actions for components.
• Production and Project Management: Airmen learn the process and art of targeted munitions assembly and mass production to meet mission requirements. They will learn how to collaborate and prioritize operational requirements to optimize internal and external customer support. As their experience increases, Airmen will develop plans, schedules, dynamic teams, and innovative strategies for more complex operations and objectives.
• Resource and Program Management: Munitions Systems Airmen learn to procure, manage, operate, and maintain DoD munitions specific testing equipment as well as a wide range of vehicles and handling equipment commonly used in the private sector such as flatbed trucks, 4k-50k forklifts, 25–40-foot tractor trailers, pallet jacks, pneumatic hoists, and aerospace ground equipment. They will develop the skills and techniques required to manage programs, facilities, personnel, and data in accordance with Air Force, Department of Defense, state, federal and international policies.
• Leadership and Personnel Management: Upon arrival at their first base, Airmen immediately begin learning how to be a crew member during munitions operations. As Airmen gain experience and are awarded the Journeyman skill level they may earn Crew Chief certification, allowing them to lead a small explosive operations team to accomplish the mission, while adhering to explosive safety and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Upon award of the Craftsman skill level, Munitions Systems Airmen are tasked with roles such as Production Supervisor and/or Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) and are responsible for leading several teams within the nine sections of the Flight/Squadron organizational structure. Lastly, as Munitions Systems Airmen continue to refine their leadership skills, they will be awarded the Superintendent skill level. As Superintendents they will have the responsibility to lead multiple NCOIC teams within the Production, Materiel, and System Flights/Sections or assigned as a Senior Enlisted Leader, Major Command Functional Manager, or Career Field Functional Manager.
• Training and Development: The Munitions Systems career field places significant focus on training and development of Airmen. Technical training programs are held at Sheppard AFB, Texas; Beale AFB, California; Field Training Detachments worldwide; and at individual units. Throughout an Airman’s Munitions Systems career, they may be expected to attend up to five advancement courses to qualify for key positions, skill level upgrade, and college credits towards the Munitions Systems Technology degree from the Community College of the Air Force. They also have opportunities to earn logistics, acquisition, information technology, and project management certifications, as well as serve in key roles as instructors, advisors, evaluators, managers, and leaders at all Air Force organizational levels. Additionally, Munitions units also establish local recurring training and development programs for all skill levels and ranks, ensuring continued growth for Airmen throughout their career.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge of the following is mandatory: composition and characteristics of munitions and associated items, safety, storage, security and environmental requirements and procedures; techniques for munitions inventory and stock control and other materiel management processes and systems; technical guidance and drawings; precision measuring tools and equipment; handling, use, and disposition of hazardous and nonhazardous materials.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or General Education Development equivalency is mandatory.

Training. The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 2W031. Completion of the Munitions Systems Apprentice Course, J3ABR2W031 0A0C, or successor course.
• 2W051. Completion of the 2W051 CDC and 12 months of OJT (minimum of 9 months for retrainees).
• 2W071. Completion of the Air Force Combat Ammunition Planning and Production course (PDS code 8RM) and 12 months OJT.
• 2W091. Completion of the Advanced Munitions Systems, J3AAR2W091 047A or successor course and completion of the Air Force Combat Ammunition Planning and Production course (PDS code 8RM) as a Senior NCO.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 2W051. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2W031. Also, experience is mandatory in performing functions such as warehousing, accounting, mechanical assembly, electronics, transportation of munitions, use of hand tools, and preparing and maintaining documentation and records for inventory management actions involving manual or automated systems or both.
• 2W071. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2W051. Also, experience is mandatory in supervising or performing functions such as receipting, identifying, inspecting, storing, reconditioning, issuing, delivering, maintaining, testing, and assembling guided and unguided munitions; or preparing and maintaining documentation and records for inventory management actions.
• 2W091. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 2W071. Also, experience is mandatory in managing functions such as accountable munitions material operations; munitions storage, maintenance, and assembly functions; munitions inspection; equipment maintenance; line delivery and handling functions; computing levels; automated data processing; or maintaining munitions material management accounts.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into the specialty:
• Normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• Retraining into the 2W0XX career field within the Air Force (Active, Reserves and Air National Guard) is restricted to the grades of E-7 and below with less than 15 years of total federal military service.
• For entry, award, and retention of these AFSCs:
• Must not have chronic, untreated emotional instability or other unresolved mental health conditions.
• Normal depth perception as defined in AFI 48-123.
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license to operate government motor vehicles (GMV) in accordance with AFI 24-301, Vehicle Operations.
• Never been convicted of domestic violence IAW the Lautenberg amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968 and AFI 31-117, Arming and Use of Force by Air Force Personnel.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs:
• Specialty requires routine access to Tier 3 (T3) information, systems, or similar classified environments. For award and retention of AFSCs 2W0XX, completion of a current T3 Investigation at a minimum IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program, is mandatory. Certain positions within this specialty (e.g. Flight Chief, Munitions Accountable Systems Officer, MAJCOM Action Officer) require routine access to Tier 5 (T5) material or similar environment. Completion of a current T5 Investigation in accordance with DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program. NOTE: Award of the entry level without a completed T3 Investigation is authorized provided an interim Secret security clearance has been granted according to DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $29,190–$121,220 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Administrative Services Managers: $98,890
• Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors: $53,610
• Aviation Inspectors: $78,400
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks: $42,410
• Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary: $55,620
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $67,550
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians: $59,800
• Emergency Management Directors: $76,250
• Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers: $71,100
• Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters: $48,510
• Facilities Managers: $98,890
• First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand: $54,870
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers: $58,450
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Hazardous Materials Removal Workers: $45,270
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: $47,130
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: $31,760
• Human Resources Managers: $121,220
• Industrial Production Managers: $108,790
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators: $37,560
• Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers: $40,460
• Instructional Coordinators: $66,970
• Light Truck Drivers: $37,050
• Logisticians: $76,270
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery: $50,100
• Office Clerks, General: $35,330
• Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators: $49,770
• Order Clerks: $35,590
• Quality Control Systems Managers: $108,790
• Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks: $35,260
• Stockers and Order Fillers: $29,190
• Training and Development Managers: $115,640
• Training and Development Specialists: $62,700
• Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers: $96,390