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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources
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Military Artillery and Missile Officers

Median Salary
87,789
Workforce Count
51,652

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Artillery and missile officers manage personnel and weapons operations to destroy enemy positions, aircraft, and vessels. They direct artillery crew members as they position, maintain, and fire guns, cannons, howitzers, and rockets. They normally specialize by type of artillery.

What is the work environment like?

Artillery and missile officers work under different conditions depending on the type of weapon system they are responsible for. Some artillery officers spend a lot of time in field training exercises, where they work, eat, and sleep outdoors and in tents. Others live and work aboard ships. Artillery and missile officers may work in locations such as underground launch command centers or submarines.

How many people have this role in the Military?

51,652

Compensation

Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary

Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.

  • Always fixed based on rank and service time.
  • Distributed monthly.
Learn More About Military Benefits

What is the typical salary range?

Salary by Years of Service

$121,349

2 Years

$82,068

6 Years

$121,349

10+ Years
Median Salary
87,789

Military Details

What Service Branches offer this role?

Learn More About Service Branches

Is this a staff or leadership role?

Enlisted
Officer
Officers are service members who plan, direct operations and manage enlisted personnel, developing a broad range of leadership-related skills.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer Paths

What does the training for this role entail?

Like other officers, artillery and missile officers complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, military structure and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development. Additional training consists of classroom and field training. Job-specific training may include:

  • Artillery tactics and strategy
  • Knowledge of weapon characteristics, status, and capability
  • Fire direction control procedures
  • Missile targeting and launch operations
  • Security coding and authentication procedures
  • Operation of command, control, and communication systems
  • Airspace familiarization
  • Use of integrated air defense systems

Education

Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree

The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
Learn More About Paying For College

Skills and Interest

What skills will set you up for success?

Skills

  • Leadership

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    High

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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