Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist (MOS 25V)

Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialists (MOS 25V) are responsible for handling electronics and film-based equipment.

They use still images, video, and audio to document combat and noncombat operations.

An Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist is like a media specialist for the military where they plan, supervise, and operate the equipment to gather a realistic portrayal of life in the military.

Education, Qualifications, Training and Duty Stations

25v mos army — Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialists (MOS 25V) document the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Army. Image: Defense Information School

There is a fair amount of education and training related to an Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist (MOS 25V) since you will work with a variety of media equipment.

Learn more about the expectations of 25V MOS so you are prepared going into enlistment.

Education

Everyone in the Army is required to have a high school diploma or GED regardless of the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS).

Are you interested in becoming an Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist (MOS 25V)?

You will want to speak to a local Army recruiter and take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

The series of tests help determine what MOS is the best fit based on your performance.

Therefore, you need to score on the ASVAB:

Electronics (EL): 93
Skilled Technical (ST): 91

Qualifications

There are not a qualifications needed to become MOS 25V.

You do need to demonstrate normal color vision.

Additionally, the Army will check your depth perception using normal binocular vision for fine close work.

There is no special security clearance required for an Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist.

The Army suggests that prospective 25V MOS have an interest in creative and artistic work.

An interest in photography, graphics, art, speech, and drama also goes a long ways.

Experience in school plays or productions is helpful, as well as an understanding of how to work as part of a larger production team.

Training

Army recruits begin boot camp for 10 weeks in order to ensure they are cut out for life in the military.

After successfully passing boot camp you will progress to Advanced Individual Training.

Advanced Individual Training focuses on your MOS and is a mixture of classroom learning and field training.

An Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist (MOS 25V) will spend 12 weeks after boot camp at AIT.

You will learn more about motion picture equipment operation as well as audio recording and using sound equipment.

There is also an emphasis on scripting and special effects techniques.

Duty Stations

Those serving in the Army as an MOS 25U can expect to be potentially based at one of the following duty stations:

Inside the Continental US (CONUS)

Ft. Belvoir, VA
Ft. Benning, GA
Ft. Bliss, TX
Ft. Bragg, NC
Ft. Campbell, KY
Ft. Carson, CO
Eglin AFB, FL
Ft. Irwin, CA
Ft. Meade, MD
Ft. Lewis, WA
Ft. Shaw, MT

Outside the Continental US (OCONUS)

Garmisch, Germany
Grafenwoehr, Germany
Hohenfels, Germany
Kaiserslautern, Germany
Oberammergau, Germany
Sembach, Germany
Stuttgart, Germany
Vilseck, Germany
Wiesbaden, Germany
Shafter, Hi
Humphreys, South Korea
Kunsan, South Korea
Red Cloud, South Korea
Seoul, South Korea
Yongsan, South Korea
Arifjan, Kuwait

What does an Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist Do?

combat photographer army — Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialists capture combat and non-combat footage. Image: Army.com

Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialists plan, supervise, and operate electronic and film equipment.

The purpose is to document the regular day-to-day life of the U.S. Army as well as combat operations.

Related Article – Army MOS List: A List Of All 159 Army Jobs

Pre-Production

You are part of a larger media team when you work as an Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist (MOS 25V).

You will work with the team during pre-production to plan and organize upcoming productions.

The Army uses a variety of forms of media (video, film, audio, etc) to capture the lifestyle of the U.S. Army.

Production

The production phase of a production includes the actual capturing of video and audio related to the project.

As a result, you will operate and perform unit level maintenance on motion, still, and studio TV cameras.

Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialists will shoot footage and audio that is helpful during the post-production phase.

You will align and adjust video cameras, as well as prepare captions for documenting images.

Post-Production

The post-production phase of a media production involves gathering up video, still images, and audio and putting it together in a logical order.

It may involve video editing, audio editing, or printing in a darkroom.

Depending on your military rank you may also supervise and provide technical guidance to subordinates.

What does an Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist make?

army combat media — Your media portfolio with the Army can lead to a civilian media career. Image: Flickr

Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialists (MOS 25V) are not paid any differently from other Military Occupational Specialties.

Instead, pay is dictated based on years of service and Army rank:

Pay Grade	Rank	Abbreviation	Minimum Monthly Pay
E-1 +4 months	Private	PVT	$1,917.60
E-2	Private Second Class	PV2	$2,149.20
E-3	Private First Class	PFC	$2,259.90
E-4	Specialist	SPC	$2,503.50
E-4	Corporal	CPL	$2,503.50
E-5	Sergeant	SGT	$2,730.30
E-6	Staff Sergeant	SSG	$2,980.50
E-7	Sergeant First Class	SFC	$3,445.80
E-8	Master Sergeant	MSG	$4,957.20
E-8	First Sergeant	1SG	$4,957.20
E-9	Sergeant Major	SGM	$6,055.50
E-9	Command Sergeant Major	CSM	$6,055.50
E-9	Sergeant Major of the Army	SMA	$6,055.50

Your monthly salary also includes a terrific benefits package.

Benefits

Standard military benefits for all soldiers, regardless of MOS, include:

Vacation Time
Special Pay
Medical Insurance
Retirement
Education: Army members can earn full-tuition, merit-based scholarships, allowances for books and fees, plus annual stipend for living expenses.
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.

Job Reviews

Unfortunately, there is not a ton of Army job reviews related specifically to MOS 25V.

However, the general consensus of the U.S. Army also translates to life working as an Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist.

After completing your time in the U.S. Army you may also choose to pursue a career in media.

There are several related jobs you can find on job sites like Indeed.com.

Related Article – Army Radio Operator (MOS 25C): Career Details

Civilian Job Opportunities

The role of an Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialist (MOS 25V) has a direct equivalent in the civilian world.

The skills you learn as 25V MOS will prepare you for work in film production, TV stations, radio stations, and advertising agencies.

Several former MOS 25V advance to work as a motion picture camera operator, sound mixer, recording engineer, or broadcasting and recording technician.

Summary

Army Combat Documentation/Production Specialists (MOS 25V) are essentially the in-house media of the U.S. Army.

Combat Documentation/Production Specialists capture video, film, still images, and audio related to non-combat and combat Army operations.

Resources:

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories/arts-and-media/combat-documentation-production-specialist.html

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Zach B.

Zachary B. served in the United States Army for 9 years, both as an active-duty soldier as well as the Army National Guard. He currently operates a a political blog, and works at a local online newspaper in Cortland, NY.

Zach currently resides in Syracuse, New York, and is very active in politics and local news media.