Overview

The mortuary affairs specialist performs duties relating to deceased personnel, including recovery, collection, evacuation and establishment of tentative identification. They also inventory, safeguard and evacuate personal effects of deceased personnel and serve as recovery specialists at the U.S. Army’s Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii.

Job Duties

• Search areas for unburied dead, unmarked graves, personal effects and identification media
  
• Disinter remains, record personal effects and evacuate remains and personal effects to designated points
  
• Determine and record recovery locations on maps, sketches and overlays
  
• Establish and record tentative identification
  
• Inventory, safeguard, and evacuate personal effects
  
• Assist in preparation, preservation and shipment of remains

Requirements

Those who want to serve must first take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a series of tests that helps you better understand your strengths and identify which Army jobs are best for you.

Training

Job training for a mortuary affairs specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and seven weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field.

Required ASVAB Score(s)

Learn more about the ASVAB and see what jobs you could qualify for.

Compensation

Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay, and vacation time. Learn more about total compensation.

Education Benefits

In the Army, qualified students can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus an annual stipend for living expenses. Learn more about education benefits.

Future Civilian Careers

The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with funeral services or forensic medicine. You may also be able to take advantage of the Partnership for Youth Success program to receive preferential hiring at civilian companies.