2311 Ammunition Technician

Every infantry unit, artillery battery, and aviation squadron needs someone who knows exactly how to receive, store, account for, and issue the ordnance that makes everything else work. That person is the Ammunition Technician. MOS 2311 carries more technical weight than most people expect before they get here.

This is not a warehouse job. You are working with Class V materiel: live ammunition, missiles, bombs, and pyrotechnics. An inventory error is not a paperwork problem. A storage violation is not a minor offense. The consequences of getting this wrong are measured in casualties and courtrooms. Marines who choose this field tend to be methodical, detail-oriented, and comfortable in an environment where procedures are not optional.

Job Role and Responsibilities

The 2311 Ammunition Technician is the Marine Corps’ enlisted specialist responsible for receiving, storing, issuing, accounting for, and disposing of all categories of ammunition and explosives. This MOS supports every element of the MAGTF by ensuring that units have the right ammunition, in the right condition, at the right place and time. Ammunition Technicians manage Class V supply operations from the ammunition supply point (ASP) through the point of use, applying strict safety and accountability standards at every step.

Day-to-day work centers on ammunition supply point operations. At a mature ASP, you inspect incoming shipments, verify lot numbers and condition codes, place ammunition in correct storage configurations, maintain detailed records, and process issues to supported units. You conduct physical inventories, support ammunition turn-in, coordinate hazardous materiel transportation, and perform serviceability checks on every lot that moves through your accountable area.

Field support missions change the pace. During exercises and operations you work at forward ammunition holding areas, prepare basic loads, support resupply runs, and coordinate with supported unit S-4 shops. The rhythm is faster than garrison, but the accountability requirement is identical.

Roles in OccFld 23

The 2311 is the primary enlisted working MOS. As Marines gain experience and complete advanced schooling, they can earn Additional MOS (AMOS) designations tied to specific ammunition categories or functions. 2391 is the SNCO field MOS that senior ammunition specialists compete for as they advance to leadership billets.

The 2311 works across all ammunition categories: small arms, artillery propellants and projectiles, mortar rounds, missiles, bombs, rockets, and demolitions. You are expected to know correct storage segregation rules for all of them. Mixing incompatible materials in storage is a serious safety violation, not a procedural oversight.

The MOS contributes to the MAGTF by keeping the supply chain for lethal materiel functional. When a unit’s basic load is wrong or ammunition is not serviceable, the mission suffers. The 2311 is the person who catches those problems before they become operational failures.

Equipment you work with includes munitions-handling equipment such as forklifts and ammunition handling vehicles, inspection tools, lot number and condition tracking systems, and the extensive body of technical publications that govern storage and handling. Knowing which publication governs each category, and why, is a prerequisite for doing this job correctly.

Salary and Benefits

Pay as a 2311 follows the standard enlisted pay table. Most Marines enter at E-1 and progress to E-4 during a first enlistment.

Source: DFAS 2026 pay tables. Figures reflect the 2026 pay raise.

Beyond base pay, you receive Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) of $476.95 per month (2026 rate) if you are not eating in the chow hall. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) applies once you live off-base or have dependents; the rate varies by duty station ZIP code and pay grade.

Ammunition Technicians do not typically receive special duty assignment pay as a standard feature of the MOS, but may qualify for hazardous duty pay in specific circumstances. Confirm current entitlements with your finance office.

The full benefits package includes:

• TRICARE Prime at no cost for active-duty Marines and enrolled family members
• 30 days of paid leave per year, accruing at 2.5 days per month
• Marine Corps Tuition Assistance up to $4,500 per year for off-duty education
• Post-9/11 GI Bill after qualifying service: up to 36 months of education benefits; private school cap of $29,920.95 for academic year 2025-2026
• Blended Retirement System (BRS): pension at 40% of high-36 average basic pay at 20 years, plus TSP government matching up to 5% of basic pay starting in year three

Work hours in garrison are structured around normal working-hours schedules, but ammunition operations, inventories, and field exercises can require extended hours depending on the supported unit’s schedule.

Qualifications and Eligibility

The MM composite measures mechanical aptitude across four ASVAB subtests: Arithmetic Reasoning (AR), Mechanical Comprehension (MC), Auto and Shop Information (AS), and Electronics Information (EI). A score of 100 is consistent with what the Marine Corps expects from candidates entering explosives-oriented technical fields. Candidates should focus their ASVAB preparation on all four of these subtests.

Review your preparation through the ASVAB study guide or consider the PiCAT option if you want to take the unproctored screening version before going to MEPS.

Because this MOS works with sensitive munitions, a Secret clearance is initiated at accession. The investigation covers financial history, personal conduct, and foreign contacts. A clearance denial ends your eligibility for this specialty.

Most Marines enter at E-1 (Private). Those with college credits may enter at E-2 or E-3. The standard first-enlistment contract is four years for active duty.

Application and Selection

The enlistment process runs through your local Marine Corps Recruiting Station (RSS). You complete the ASVAB at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), pass a physical examination, and go through a conduct interview. MOS classification is determined by the Marine Corps based on your scores, physical profile, and current needs. There is no competitive selection board for entry-level 2311. Meeting the MM 100 threshold and passing the clearance investigation are the gatekeepers.

Work Environment

Daily Environment

Ammunition Technicians work in a range of physical settings. In garrison, primary work is at the ammunition supply point: storage igloos, ammunition pads, inspection areas, and administrative spaces. These facilities are typically located away from populated areas of the installation and have restricted access for safety and security reasons.

Field environments vary by exercise and unit. You may work out of a forward ammunition holding area (FAHA) or support an operation as part of a small team. Deployed with a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) or in support of amphibious operations, work may include ship-board ammunition handling and offload operations.

The chain of command runs from the individual 2311 through an NCO or SNCO ammunition chief, up to the supporting unit’s supply officer. Performance feedback is delivered through standard counseling sessions, and for NCOs and above, through the fitness report (FITREP) system.

Ammunition work is procedural by design. Individual decisions about how to handle, store, or dispose of materiel are governed by technical publications. This is not improvisation work. Success here depends on following the right procedures correctly under varying conditions, including adverse weather, time pressure, and field environments. Marines who take that constraint as a challenge rather than a limitation do well. Marines who find it frustrating tend to leave.

Training and Skill Development

Initial Training Pipeline

Boot Camp is 13 weeks at either MCRD San Diego (West Coast male recruits) or MCRD Parris Island (East Coast recruits and all female recruits). You graduate as a Private (E-1) or Private First Class (E-2).

MCT follows Boot Camp for all non-infantry Marines. It is 29 days of combat skills training covering small-unit tactics, land navigation, weapons, and the individual skills every Marine carries regardless of MOS.

Ammunition School teaches the technical foundation: how ammunition is classified, what the Joint Hazard Classification System means in practice, how to identify condition codes, how storage rules work, and how to operate an ASP. You work with inert training rounds and learn the publications that govern your day-to-day work. The school also covers transportation of hazardous materials (HAZMOVT) and the regulatory requirements governing movement of Class V materiel.

After MOS School, unit-level training continues. You learn how the specific units you support operate, what their ammunition requirements look like, and how to plan for field operations. Senior 2311s teach practical skills the schoolhouse can only introduce.

Advanced Training

Advanced training options for 2311s include:

• Hazardous Materials Transportation training (required for anyone coordinating Class V movement)
• Ammunition inspector qualifications for specific categories including nuclear, chemical, and conventional
• Automated Ammunition Management System (AAMS) or current inventory system training
• SNCO developmental courses for those advancing toward the 2391 Ammunition Chief MOS

Career Progression and Advancement

Rank Progression

Promotion to E-4 and below happens on a relatively fast timeline for Marines who meet performance and time-in-service requirements. E-5 and above is competitive, based on fitness reports, composite scores, and selection board results.

Marines who want to specialize can pursue AMOS designations tied to specific ammunition categories through approved formal schooling. The LATMOVE program allows Marines to lateral-move into different MOSs, though moving out of a critical-skills field like ammunition requires command approval and meeting the gaining MOS requirements.

To succeed as a 2311, master the technical publications early. Marines who understand why safety rules exist, and what they are, advance faster because they apply procedures correctly even in unusual situations. Taking ownership of your assigned ASP section, maintaining accurate records, and volunteering for field exercises builds the reputation that opens leadership opportunities.

Physical Demands and Medical Evaluations

Ammunition handling is physically demanding. You lift, carry, and move heavy munitions containers, work with forklifts and handling equipment, and operate outdoors regardless of weather. The work is less about aerobic performance and more about functional strength, sustained attention, and working safely around hazardous material.

PFT and CFT Standards (2026)

PFT and CFT are conducted twice annually. Failure to meet standards affects promotion eligibility, assignment options, and retention. Marines with a physical profile limiting participation in specific events require documented medical justification.

Beyond initial screening at MEPS, Marines receive periodic physicals throughout service. Ammunition work requires maintenance of physical standards that support heavy materiel handling and transportation.

Deployment and Duty Stations

Primary Duty Stations

Ammunition Technicians deploy with the units they support. Marines assigned to infantry or artillery units deploy on MEU cycles of approximately six months, unilateral exercises, and operational contingencies. Marines assigned to installation ASPs may have a different deployment profile but still support exercises and contingency operations.

MEU deployments typically last six to seven months and take Marines to the Pacific, Mediterranean, or other regions depending on MEU operational tasking. Ammunition Technicians on a MEU handle ship-board ammunition management, offload operations, and support for amphibious assault exercises and real-world operations. The work on a ship is different from garrison operations, and new Marines adapt quickly or struggle with the pace.

Duty station assignment is based on Marine Corps needs. You can submit preference requests, and the Marine Corps considers them alongside unit requirements and your skills. First-term Marines typically have limited input on their first duty station.

Risk, Safety, and Legal Considerations

Working around live ammunition and explosives is inherently hazardous. The risk is managed through strict adherence to technical publications, physical separation requirements, and a professional culture where safety briefings and pre-operations checks are not optional.

Common hazards include:

• Accidental initiation during handling or inspection
• Transportation incidents involving hazardous materials
• Environmental exposure to propellants and explosive residues
• Electrical hazards during operations near sensitive ammunition

Safety protocols include mandatory personal protective equipment, compliance with minimum safe distance requirements, strict electrical bonding and grounding during sensitive operations, and authorization procedures for any deviation from standard handling instructions. Certain ammunition operations require a qualified Ammunition Officer or SNCO to supervise.

Security clearance for this MOS is a Secret clearance obtained through the DISS system. The investigation takes several months and covers background, financial history, and personal conduct. A denial does not end Marine Corps service, but it ends eligibility for 2311.

Legal obligations include UCMJ compliance, specific regulations governing explosive materiel accountability, and federal transportation laws governing hazardous material movement. Loss or misappropriation of ammunition is a serious offense with substantial legal consequences. The accountability chain for Class V materiel is documented, audited, and enforced.

Impact on Family and Personal Life

Ammunition support assignments include deployment cycles and field exercises that mean time away from home. For Marines with families, a six-to-seven-month MEU cycle plus pre-deployment training events adds up to significant periods of separation each year.

The Marine Corps supports families through:

• Marine Corps Family Team Building (MCFTB): deployment preparation and family readiness programs
• Military OneSource: 24/7 counseling, financial planning, and referral services
• Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS): on-base childcare, fitness facilities, and family support centers

Marines stationed at Camp Pendleton, Camp Lejeune, or Twentynine Palms have access to established community infrastructure. Smaller or more remote installations have fewer services but often a tighter community feel.

Relocation is a standard feature of Marine Corps service. Marines can expect PCS moves every two to three years on average. The Corps provides moving allowances through the Dislocation Allowance and Personally Procured Move (PPM) program.

Marine Corps Reserve

MOS 2311 is available in the Marine Corps Reserve. Reserve Marines in this field train at ammunition units attached to Reserve Combat Logistics or similar support formations and can maintain ammunition technical skills while holding civilian employment.

Active Duty vs. Marine Corps Reserve: 2311 Comparison

Reserve Marines in the ammunition community can integrate technical skills with civilian careers in logistics, hazardous materials management, or supply chain operations. USERRA protects civilian employment during mobilization periods.

Post-Service Opportunities

Service as a 2311 prepares you for civilian roles in logistics, hazardous materials management, warehouse and inventory operations, and public safety. The practical experience with inventory accountability, hazardous material handling, and explosives safety transfers to several civilian fields.

Civilian Career Crosswalk

Veterans with ammunition handling experience are eligible to test for Explosives License (EL) endorsements on their commercial driver’s license (CDL), opening up hazardous materials transportation roles. Civilian ammunition depot work with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) is another direct transition route, since DLA operates on many of the same technical publications Marine 2311s use on active duty.

The Transition Readiness Program (TRP) helps Marines preparing to separate with resume writing, interview preparation, and civilian employment networking. Veterans may also use their Post-9/11 GI Bill for college, trade programs, or certification courses after leaving service.

Is This a Good Job for You? The Right (and Wrong) Fit

Strong candidates for 2311 are detail-oriented, comfortable with repetitive procedure, and genuinely motivated by accountability and safety discipline. If the idea of being the person responsible for accurate inventory of live ammunition appeals to you, this MOS is worth considering. Marines who thrive here take procedures seriously without needing external pressure to do so.

Good fit if:

• You are methodical and take accountability for inventory and safety personally
• You find satisfaction in technical mastery of a well-defined system
• You want a technical MOS with strong civilian demand in logistics and hazmat fields
• You prefer structured environments where procedures reduce ambiguity

Poor fit if:

• You want highly variable daily work with frequent tactical fieldwork
• You want a role where improvisation is common and procedures are flexible
• You are not willing to maintain documentation standards under field conditions

Long-term, a 2311 who consistently delivers builds a technical reputation that follows them across bases and units. Senior ammunition specialists are valued by any command that fires rounds. That reputation is earned through consistency, not through single high-visibility events.

If your goal is the specialized bomb-disposal mission rather than the broader ammunition support field, MOS 2336 is a separate path with its own screening process. Read the 2336 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician profile for that path. The two MOS codes share an occupational field but are different jobs with different demands and selection requirements.

This site is not affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps or any government agency. Verify all information with official Marine Corps sources before making enlistment or career decisions.

More Information

Talk to a Marine Corps recruiter at your local Recruiting Station for current MOS classification rules, ASVAB score requirements, and enlistment options. Recruiters have access to current quota availability and can tell you whether this MOS has open contracts. You can also visit marines.com for official career information.

Explore more OccFld 23 Ammunition and Explosive Ordnance Disposal careers including the 2336 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. For enlistment process details, the How to Enlist guide covers the full path from recruiter contact through MEPS and your contract.

Need score context? Review the ASVAB guide and the PiCAT guide before publishing permanent MOS content.