The military constantly moves passengers and cargo. Personnel often travel to meetings, training sessions, and new assignments. Supplies and equipment to support troops must be shipped regularly. Transportation specialists plan and assist in air, sea, and land transportation for people and cargo. Some assist passenger travel as gate agents and flight attendants.
What They Do
Transportation specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Arrange for passenger travel via plane, bus, train, or boat
- Arrange for shipment and delivery of household goods
- Determine which vehicles to use based on freight or passenger-movement requirements
- Determine transportation and shipping routes
- Prepare transportation requests and shipping documents
- Check in passengers and baggage for military transport flights
- Serve as military airplane flight attendants
- Inspect cargo for proper packing, loading, and marking
Helpful Attributes
Helpful school subjects include mathematics and English. Helpful attributes include:
- Interest in arranging travel schedules
- Interest in serving people
- Interest in using computers
Training Provided
Job training consists of classroom instruction, including practice in making transportation arrangements. Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. Course content typically includes:
- Planning transportation for personnel and cargo
- Proper cargo handling, shipping, and storing methods
- Analysis of transportation documents
Work Environment
Transportation specialists usually work in offices. They may work outdoors when escorting passengers or processing shipments. Flight attendants work on land and in airplanes.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian transportation specialists work for airlines, shipping firms, and commercial freight lines. They perform duties similar to military transportation specialists. Civilian transportation specialists may also be called travel clerks, reservation clerks, or transportation agents.
