Army Radio Operator (MOS 25C)

Army Radio Operators (MOS 25C) maintain radio communication equipment.

The role is important, as a 25C MOS needs to ensure equipment is consistently working in order to maintain communications out on the battlefield.

Learn more about the position of an Army Radio Operator (MOS 25C) including required education and training, job duties, salary, job reviews, and civilian job outlook.

Education, Qualifications, Training and Duty Stations

25c mos army — Army Radio Operators (MOS 25C) handle all radio communications equipment. Image: Army.com

Army Radio Operators (MOS 25C) are important to successful combat operations and can potentially save lives through their actions.

What does it take to become an Army Radio Operator? Learn more about the required education, training, and additional requirements.

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Education

The Army has a few basic requirements to enlist.

In terms of education, you need to be at least 17 years of age (with parental consent), or 18 with a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

Then you will want to speak with a local Army recruiter.

The recruiter can provide more information about what you can expect to encounter in the Army and what you need to complete to become an Army Radio Operator (MOS 25C).

You will need to complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery at your nearest MEPS station or high school.

The series of tests are used by the Army to determine your strengths and weaknesses.

It will help you find a Military Occupational Speciality (MOS) that suits your particular strengths.

In order to become an Army Radio Operator, you must score Surveillance & Communications (SC): 98 and Electronics (EL): 98 on the ASVAB.

Qualifications

After you complete the necessary scores on the ASVAB you can proceed forward with the additional requirements of becoming an Army Radio Operator.

Radio Operators need to qualify for Secret security clearance.

Gaining security clearance in the military requires a thorough background check.

It will examine everything from a criminal record to drug and alcohol activity.

Submission to a military background investigation will also examine your financial records, and friends and professional associates may also get interviewed.

Army Radio Operators (25C MOS) must also have the ability to type a minimum of 25 words per minute.

The Army also mentions it helps to have a preference for working with electronic equipment and enjoy solving problems.

Training

Your early days in the Army will begin with Basic Combat Training (BCT).

Basic Combat Training, or boot camp, lasts 10 weeks.

If you survive, it is time to transition into Advanced Individual Training.

Advanced Individual Training focuses especially on your MOS, and for the 25C MOS lasts an additional 13 weeks after BCT.

Training is a combination of classroom learning and real-world experience.

Army Radio Operators (MOS 25C) learn during training:

Mechanical and electrical principles
Preventive maintenance procedures
Communication of security policies and procedures
Line installation and wiring techniques

What does an Army Radio Operator Do?

An Army Radio Operator (MOS 25C) takes the practice of communications on the battlefield very seriously.

Could you imagine how chaotic, and how quickly it would get, if communications broke down in the middle of combat?

Radio Operators have a wide variety of job duties; here are some of the most common:

Communications

The most important job function of an Army Radio Operator (25C MOS) is to maintain communications.

Radio operators do regular checks and services on radio communication equipment to make sure it is in full working order.

Operators need to install, operate, and perform preventive maintenance checks on radios, teletypewriters, and other communications equipment.

MOS 25Cs are sometimes assigned to maintain assigned power generators as well.

Security

There is also an emphasis on maintaining security equipment including communications installed in vehicles.

Soldiers oversee communication security and security policies.

They also implement electronic countermeasures when needed to keep communications as confidential as possible.

Lastly, Radio Operators prepare, transmit, receive, and record messages related to communications and security practices.

Duty Stations

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

Inside the Continental US (CONUS)

Ft. Benning, GA
Ft. Bliss, TX
Ft. Bragg, NC
Ft. Campbell, KY
Ft. Carson, CO
Ft. Detrick, MD
Ft. Drum, NY
Ft. Eglin, EGL
Ft. Hood, TX
Homestead Air Force Base, FL
Ft. Hunter, CA
Ft. Lewis, WA
Macdill Air Force Base
Peterson Air Force Base
Ft. Riley, KS
Ft. Sam Houston, TX
Ft. Stewart, GA

Outside the Continental US (OCONUS)

Ft. Wainwright, AK
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Grafenwoehr, Germany
Kaiserslautern, Germany
Landstuhl, Germany
Mohringen, Germany
Patch, Germany
Panzer, Germany
Schofield, Hi
Smith, Hi
Wheeler, Hi
Torii, Japan
Zama, Japan
Carroll, South Korea
Casey, South Korea
Humphreys, South Korea
Osan, South Korea
Yongsan, South Korea

What does an Army Radio Operator make?

us army 25c — Your monthly salary in the Army is determined by rank and years of service. Image: Wikimedia Commons

The U.S. Armed Forces do not pay members based on occupation, unlike in civilian life, but rather by military rank and years of service.

It is also worth mentioning that in addition to your monthly salary you will receive housing, food, and medical while enlisted.

There are also many benefits that continue after separation or retirement, as well.

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

Army Radio Operators (MOS 25C) that work in certain places may also receive cash bonuses.

The Army rewards certain Military Occupational Specialties with as much as $40,000 in bonuses.

Contact a local Army recruiter for more information on monthly pay and potential bonuses.

Related Article – Navy Mass Communication Specialist (MC): Career Details

Benefits

The U.S. Military is considered a great place to serve based on the number of benefits you receive in addition to a salary.

Here are a few of the things you can expect to enjoy:

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

Job Reviews

Army Radio Operators have steady job reviews on career websites like GlassDoor.com and Indeed.com.

The general consensus is that you will work long and hard days serving the role of MOS 25C.

Regardless, the experience serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is second to none.

The opportunities to grow as a person and make life long friends is hard to match elsewhere.

Expect a fast-paced environment.

If you are motivated and looking to progress into a new career yet can’t afford college; serving in the military as a Radio Operator can help you acquire the necessary skills.

Related Article – Army Combat Engineer (MOS 12B): Career Details

Civilian Job Opportunities

There are several Military Occupational Specialties that do not have a direct civilian job equivalent.

However, the same is not true of an Army Radio Operator (MOS 25C).

There are several companies looking for experienced radio operators/maintenance.

Some former Army Radio Operators choose to work as radio mechanics while others find employment as dispatchers.

It is not uncommon for electrical and electronics engineers to make close to six figures a year.

Regardless of the specific job, MOS 25C will definitely prepare you for work in the telecommunications field.

Summary

Army Radio Operators (MOS 25C) have the important duty of maintaining radio communication equipment.

The rest of the Army depends on Radio Operators to have communications in full working order on the battlefield.

The civilian job outlook for an Army Radio Operator (25C MOS) is also very encouraging.

Resources:

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Rob V.

Rob V. is the founder of OperationMilitaryKids.org. While he never actually served in the US Military, he has a passion for writing about military related topics.

Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.

Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.

General FAQ

What is a 25C in the Army?

An Army Radio Operator (MOS 25C) maintains radio communications by setting up, repairing, and operating the equipment. It is part of the 25 MOS series, also called the Signals Corps. It includes information technology, networking, satellite technology, and radio operations.

Does MOS 25C see combat?

An Army Radio Operator (MOS 25C) may be assigned to a combat unit, in which their skills are critical for maintaining communications on the battlefield.

How long is AIT for the field radio operator MOS?

After Basic, you’ll attend Advanced Individual Training for 13 weeks at Fort Gordon, Georgia. You’ll attend classes and work with the equipment hands-on. Part of the training includes mechanical and electrical principles, as well as line installation and wiring.

How do I qualify to become an Army Radio Operator (MOS 25C)

To become an MOS 25C, you’ll need a Top Secret security clearance and a minimum score of 98 on both the Surveillance & Communications and Electronics portions of the ASVAB. You must also be able to type 25 wpm.

What civilian jobs can an Army Radio Operator get after separation?

Depending on whether you took advantage of educational opportunities, after service you may find work in a dispatch capacity. Experience and education can also lead to jobs in the telecommunications field.