Air Force Materiel Management (2S0X1): Career Profile

The fiercest militaries in the world are nothing unless they are constantly kept supplied with their needs.

That’s what makes the job that Air Force Materiel Management personnel do so critically important.

Air Force Materiel Management Specialists move everything from million-dollar aircraft parts to a box of pencils.

They are the managers of the complex supply system that fuels both the US Air Force and other military branches.

No matter what the needs are of the Air Force or other military commands, Air Force Materiel Management personnel make sure they get the critical supplies that they need.

This is a military job that’s older than the Air Force itself.

The vital importance of keeping an army supplied to keep it functioning has been known since the dawn of time.

Anyone who enters into this Air Force career field will not only be working in a fast-paced and rewarding job but also will be building a foundation that will set them up for a variety of civilian career employment opportunities.

Here is a YouTube video that talks more about what Air Force Materiel Management personnel do:

Materiel Management Requirements and Qualifications

Here are the requirements and qualifications one must meet in order to start training as an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist.

ASVAB Requirements

- - Minimum ASVAB Score of 44 in the General category and 41 in the Administrative category

Additional Qualifications

- - Be between the ages of 17 and 39
  - Possess a GED or high school diploma
  - Knowledge of basic mathematics
  - Be able to lift 60 lbs.
  - Having a driver’s license and a clean driving record is a bonus
  - Successful completion of 8.5 weeks of Air Force Basic Military Training held at Joint Base Lackland in San Antonio, TX (Not required of those with prior military experience or training)

Training and Career Path to Become an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist

Here is the technical and on the job training it takes to be able to perform the duties that are asked of an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist.

Air Force Technical Training Information

1s0x1 - material management — Image: Af.mil

If you are not one of those people that like learning in a classroom setting than this is a great Air Force career choice.

Most of the learning takes place in a hands-on type of environment.

There is however a brief 33-day technical training period that covers the most basic aspects of being an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist.

This training takes place right at Joint Base Lackland in San Antonio, TX.

During technical training recruits will be taught such key material management functions as inventory taking, logistics, supply storage, accountability, parts database management, and aspects of proper customer service.

On the Job Training

While Air Force Technical Training provides a recruit with the basics that they will need to perform the duties required of an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist, more specific job-related training will be done on an OJT basis.

This will be conducted at a new recruit’s first duty assignment.

On the job training can last anywhere from 2 to 3 months before a new recruit can function on their own as a qualified Air Force Materiel Management Specialist.

During this phase of training, a new recruit will learn such aspects of material handling as using job-specific manual and automated materiel management accounting systems.

They will also be taught relevant logistics and procurement principles, transportation methods, proper handling of hazardous and other waste materials, and how to carry out standard deployment and emergency contingency material handling operations.

How Much Are Materiel Management Specialists Paid?

Those without prior military experience or other relevant career-related experience will most likely be initially classified as an Airman Basic (E-1).

New recruits into this career field with a strong retail, logistics or supply background may be able to start out as high as an Airman (E-2) or Airman First Class (E-3).

Here is the current pay scale for Air Force enlisted members based on time in service and rank:

Pay Grade	Rank	Abbreviation	2023 Minimum Monthly Pay
E-1 +4 months	Airman Basic	AB	$1,917.60
E-2	Airman	Amn	$2,149.20
E-3	Airman First Class	A1C	$2,259.90
E-4	Senior Airman	SrA	$2,503.50
E-5	Staff Sergeant	SSgt	$2,730.30
E-6	Technical Sergeant	TSgt	$2,980.50
E-7	Master Sergeant	MSgt	$3,445.80
E-8	Senior Master Sergeant	SMSgt	$4,957.20
E-9	Chief Master Sergeant	CMSgt	$6,055.50
E-9	Command Chief Master Sergeant	CCM	$6,055.50
E-9	Chief Master Sergeant Of The Air Force	CMSAF	$6,055.50

Other forms of pay and incentives that some Air Force Materiel Management Specialists may receive include such things as:

- - Housing allowance for those that live off base (BAH)
  - Subsistence allowance (Food – BAS)
  - Temporary duty pay
  - Remote location pay (separation pay)
  - Hazardous duty pay
  - Cost of living incentives
  - Tuition reimbursement

Of course, all health care requirements for any Air force enlisted member are always 100% covered.

Related Article – Air Force Cyber Warfare (1B4X1): Career Details

What’s Life Like as a Materiel Management Specialist?

If you choose to enter into this Air Force career field, there are a variety of different types of Materiel Management positions that you may end up doing.

These include such things as:

- - Maintenance material support
  - Equipment accountability
  - Flight service support
  - Warehouse Inventory
  - Mobile readiness support
  - Inter-base logistics support

Among the many different tasks that Air Force material handling personnel are asked to do include:

- - Plays an active role in managing all materiel management activities such as inventory control, storage, supply handling and operation of the related support equipment.
  - Must be able to use a materiel database to research and determine future supply needs and get those materials ordered into the supply chain.
  - Performs operations that involve the proper storage and identification of materials that fall under their area of responsibility.
  - Receive goods, inspect the quality of those goods, and distributes them to their proper storage areas.
  - Develop procedures that enhance the current methods that are used to receive, store, and distribute Air Force goods.
  - Manage supply, distribution, and warehouse storage facilities.
  - Store, issue, ship, and transfer Air Force property.
  - Keep a tight control on sensitive, classified, extremely valuable, and highly controlled items.
  - Manage the supply and distribution of repair items.
  - Other responsibilities include the evaluation of inventory management activities. This means checking for compliance with proper Air Force material handling policies, procedures, and accountability measures.

This can be a good Air Force career for those that have families too.

That’s because temporary duty assignments in this career field are not as frequent as they are with many other Air Force jobs.

Job Reviews

Here are some reviews that were written by those who worked in this Air Force career.

They were found on the website Indeed.com.

Materiel Management Civilian Career Opportunities

There is no shortage of jobs that can use the skills that a well-trained Air Force Materiel Management specialist has to offer.

Just like the military branches are fueled by their supply chains, so too are the many retail outlets, mass parts suppliers, and stores that are found in every corner of the United States.

Typical positions that former Air Force Materiel Management specialists qualify for include:

Warehouse support
Mass delivery support
Inventory management
Purchasing clerks
Trucking, train, and air logistics support

Here are some of the companies that can use the skills that an Air Force Materiel Management specialist learns during their time in the military:

Tailored Training Programs, LLC – Fort Bragg, NC
Aerojet Rocketdyne – Sacramento, CA
Spectrum Comm Inc – Robins AFB, GA
The Logistics Company – Fort Jackson, SC
Christopher Newport University – Newport News, VA
Akima, LLC – Andrews AFB, MD

Pay for these jobs is based on the amount of experience an Air Force enlisted member gained during their career.

These jobs typically start out at better than $40,000 a year and much higher for those that are senior enlisted NCO’s.

References:

Official Air Force Recruiting Page

Air Force Reserve Official Page

Author
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Craig S.

Craig spent many years on active duty service in the Air Force stationed in such places as Okinawa, Japan and SAC Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. While in the military, he spent time analyzing imagery from a variety of aircraft such as the SR-71. He was also one of the first enlisted members in the Air Force to experience working with near real time satellite imagery. Craig currently resides in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and runs his own business.

General FAQ

What is material management in the Air Force?

An Air Force Materiel Management Specialist works in logistics, responsible for moving parts, goods, and other supplies throughout the USAF supply chain.

How much does an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist make?

Like all military personnel, an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist is paid according to rank and time in service. Currently, airmen with rank of E-1 and less than two years of service make a base pay of $1,733 per month.

What ASVAB scores are required to get into Air Force Air Force Materiel Management?

To become an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist, you’ll need a minimum score of 44 in the General category and 41 in the Administrative category of the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery.

How long is tech school for Air Force Materiel Management?

Tech school for USAF Materiel Management is 33 days long and takes place at Joint Base Lackland in San Antonio, Texas. However, continuing training occurs on the job at your first duty assignment.

What can an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist do in the civilian world?

With training in logistics and supply, an Air Force Materiel Management Specialist can find work in warehouse logistics, inventory management, purchasing and transport logistics after separation or retirement.