WASHINGTON — Public input is requested on a proposal to expand the military occupational specialties (MOS) that qualify under-21 drivers to participate in an interstate pilot program, according to a notice published in the Federal Register Oct. 9 by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The pilot program allows drivers aged 18, 19 and 20 who received training in the operation of heavy-duty vehicles under certain MOS classifications while serving in the military to drive commercial vehicles for interstate commerce. FMCSA says qualifying additional MOS for the program will help additional military service members transition to commercial driving jobs.
Four branches of the U.S. military — the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps — include a motor transport operations MOS that includes specific training in the operation of heavy-duty vehicles. There are three additional MOS classifications that include training for heavy-duty specialty vehicles, such as gasoline haulers, construction vehicles and military equipment transport oversize/overweight vehicles.
Currently, the seven MOS specialties approved for the pilot program include:
- Army: 88M Motor Transport Operator and 92F Fueler.
- Marine Corps: 3531 Motor Vehicle Operator.
- Navy: E.O. Equipment Operator.
- Air Force: 2TI Vehicle Operator; 2FO Fueler; and 3E2 Pavement and Construction Equipment Operator.
FMCSA’s proposal would add eight additional MOS classifications that require heavy-vehicle training and operation:
- Army: 12B Combat Engineer; 13B Field Artillery; 13P MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System); 88H Transportation Cargo; and 14T Patriot Launching Station Operator.
- Marine Corps: 3537 After 3531 achieves the rank of SSgt; 0811 Field Artillery Cannoneer; 1371 Combat Engineer; and 1345 Engineer Equipment Operator.
The comment period ends Nov. 9, 2020. Click here to review the details of the proposal and make online comments.
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