Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451)

Airborne and Air Delivery Specialists (MOS 0451) perform work for the Marine Corps through the air.

An Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist manages airdrops that includes ammunition, weapons, and supplies to help refuel troops in combat zones.

It is important that Specialists deliver supplies to troops in full working order so a high attention to detail and outstanding organizational skills are required.

Learn more about what it takes to become an Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451).

Education, Qualifications, and Training

0451 mos marines — Airborne and Air Delivery Specialists (MOS 0451) get the unique opportunity to attend Army Jump School during training. Image: Flickr

Performing work as an Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451) is not your ordinary job.

Specialists are comfortable working both on land and through the air.

They prepare supplies for delivery and also assist with the airdrop.

As a result, there is a fair amount of education, requirements, and training needed to become MOS 0451.

Education

Your education is important in any field of work, including the U.S. Armed Forces.

All Marine recruits are required to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Secondly, new recruits must complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

The ASVAB will test every major field of education and help determine which Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) accommodates your knowledge and skills the best.

In order to qualify for MOS 0451 Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist you must score General Technical (GT): 100 or higher on the ASVAB.

Qualifications

Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451) is only available to citizens of the United States.

Existing Marines may also consider making a lateral move to MOS 0451.

Current Marine Corps guidelines states that soldiers can only switch to another MOS with a military ranking of Lance Corporal (E-3) or Corporal (E-4).

Additionally, soldiers must have served less than six months in E-3 or E-4.

Sergeants (E-5) or lower in rank and part of the Navy Active Reserve program may also transfer to MOS 0451 with the right qualifications.

Lastly, Marines are required to achieve an intermediate level or higher on the water survival phase of boot camp.

Training

Training to become an Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451) takes more than a half year, including boot camp.

Basic training, or boot camp, is more intense in the Marine Corps and lasts 13 weeks.

If you survive boot camp you can begin to focus on your Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

Job training for MOS 0451 takes place at Fort Lee in Virginia.

The base is managed by the U.S. Army yet the training program at Fort Lee also supports learning for aspiring Airborne and Air Delivery Specialists.

Recruits will take the Army Parachute Rigger Course which lasts nine weeks.

New Marines will also get the exciting opportunity to learn how to jump out of an airplane with a parachute since this knowledge is essential with handling airdrops.

Army Jump School is so coveted by U.S. Marines that the military branch often offers the opportunity as a reenlistment bonus.

Training is divided into three sections: Aerial Delivery Phase, Aerial Equipment Phase, and Parachute Packing Phase.

What does an Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist Do?

An Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451) is responsible for preparing supplies and equipment for airdrop delivery.

Soldiers deliver a wide range of supplies to soldiers by using parachutes.

There is also a need to conduct subsequent equipment recovery and throughput operations working MOS 0451.

Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialists are also responsible for the maintenance of all life support equipment related to airborne operations.

The objective of airborne and air delivery missions is to plan and coordinate the most effective and safest way to load and distribute equipment and supplies.

Other Marines rely on Airborne and Air Delivery Specialists to make sure personnel and supplies are dropped correctly out of aircraft.

It takes a dedicated, attention to detail team to ensure the safety and working order of all Marine airdrops.

All in all, MOS 0451 Marines have three primary responsibilities: air delivery, equipment maintenance, and parachute packing.

Job Duties of MOS 0451

Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialists (MOS 0451) are well trained in delivery through the air.

Specialists regularly perform assignments in combat zones that are dangerous and difficult to navigate.

Furthermore, operations can take place in non-combat zones yet in places where limited access is available on the ground.

Specialists need to get equipment and supplies to ground troops as soon as possible to carry out missions.

Airborne and Air Delivery Specialists are responsible:

Performing parachute repacks.
Conducting preventive and corrective maintenance on airdrop equipment.
Evaluating proposed Landing Zone/Drop Zones.
Planning and executing drops of personnel, equipment, and supplies.
Clearing airborne, airdrop, and equipment recovery post-operations.

The Marine Corps also mentions that MOS 0451 may handle various supervisory roles based on military rank.

Therefore, higher ranking Airborne and Air Delivery Specialists (MOS 0451) assist with mission planning as well as perform roles like Drop Zone Safety Officer or Malfunctions Officer.

Supervisory roles will earn you Airdrop Load Inspector Certification.

What does an Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist make?

usmc airborne operations — Working logistics for the Marine Corps can lead to a variety of transportation and shipping related jobs after leaving the military. Image: Wikimedia Commons

An Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451) is not paid based on Military Occupational Specialist.

The Marine Corps pays soldiers based on rank and years of service.

Pay Grade	Rank	Abbreviation	2023 Minimum Monthly Pay
E-1 +4 months	Private	Pvt	$1,917.60
E-2	Private First Class	PFC	$2,149.20
E-3	Lance Corporal	LCpl	$2,259.90
E-4	Corporal	Cpl	$2,503.50
E-5	Sergeant	Sgt	$2,730.30
E-6	Staff Sergeant	SSgt	$2,980.50
E-7	Gunnery Sergeant	GySgt	$3,3445.80
E-8	Master Sergeant	MSgt	$4,957.20
E-8	First Sergeant	1stSgt	$4,957.20
E-9	Master Gunnery Sergeant	MGySgt	$6,055.50
E-9	Sergeant Major	SgtMaj	$6,055.50
E-9	Sergeant Major Of The Marine Corps	SgtMaj	$6,055.50

Benefits

The Marine Corps provides a very solid benefits package to its soldiers:

Medical Insurance
Vacation Time
Special Pay
Retirement
Affordable Life Insurance
Housing: Allowances for living expenses, utilities, and maintenance.
Food: Allowance for the on-base dining hall and access to tax-free department and grocery stores.
Education: Marines can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus annual stipend for living expenses.

Job Reviews

An Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist is part of Military Job Field 04.

In the Marine Corps, Field 04 deals with logistics.

Though it is difficult to find specific job reviews related to an Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451), you can find postings related to Marine logistics:

Serving the military has its pros and cons like any career.

However, the experience you receive in the Marine Corps is very distinct and impossible to replicate in any other civilian career.

Civilian Job Opportunities

The work performed by an Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451) is mostly unique to the military.

Regardless, dealing with the transportation of goods, especially high valuable military items can definitely lead to a variety of civilian opportunities.

There are many former MOS 0451 that continue to work in logistics either at an airport, train depot, or other type of transport location.

The skills you acquire learning how to plan, load, and drop supplies and equipment can assist you in a number of aviation based jobs.

Summary

An Marine Corps Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist (MOS 0451) is an important part of military logistics.

Personnel, supplies, and equipment must get airdropped into combat zones and difficult places to access by land.

Marines depend on Airborne and Air Delivery Specialists to deliver goods in a timely manner, safely, and effectively.

Resources:

https://militaryyearbookproject.com/military-occupation-codes/usmc/field-04-logistics/mos-0451-airborne-and-air-delivery-specialist

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Jeff E.

Jeff served with the Marine Corps Reserves as an Infantryman with Kilo Co. 3rd Battalion 23rd Marines from 1997 to 2003. 3/23 was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and served primarily in the Wasit Province of Iraq. Since exiting, Jeff has served as a non-profit manager in the area of foster care and adoption.