MOS 42B—Human Resources Officer

Note that the Human Resources Officer (MOS 42B) is the entry-level Adjutant General Corps Officer position for officers in the ranks of Lieutenant to Captain. Majors and above will be designated as MOS 42H—Senior Human Resources Officer.

Human Resources Officer (MOS 42B) Description / Major Duties:

An Adjutant General Officer is responsible for providing personnel support that affect Soldiers’ overall welfare and well being, while assisting commanders by accounting for and keeping Soldiers combat-ready. In many cases, the duties of an Adjutant General Officer are very similar to the function of a high-level human resources executive in the civilian world.

Responsibilities of an Adjutant General Lieutenant:

Assignment as a Battalion S1; the principal advisor to the battalion commander for all matters concerning human resource support for all assigned and attached personnel.
Assignment as a Brigade Strength Manager; responsible for supervising all strength management/strength distribution actions and is the leader of the Brigade S1 Personnel Readiness Team.
Assignment as a Platoon Leader; responsible for training, readiness, health and welfare of 20 Soldiers and the accomplishment of wartime missions.

Training
Adjutant General Officer training includes completion of the Adjutant General Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC), where you will learn leadership skills, tactics, and operational aspects of Human resources automation systems and practices. Training will take place in classrooms and in the field. Additional training opportunities are available based on type of unit assigned to. This includes, but is not limited to: Postal supervisor, Airborne, Air Assault school.

Helpful Skills
Being a leader in the Adjutant General’s Corps requires certain qualities. A leader exhibits self-discipline, initiative, confidence, and intelligence. They are physically fit and can perform under physical and mental pressures. Leaders make decisions quickly, always focusing on completing the mission successfully, and show respect for their subordinates and other military officers. Leaders lead from the front and adjust to environments that are always changing. They must possess good interpersonal and communications (verbal and written) skills, think creatively, and apply critical reasoning skills.

Advanced Responsibilities
Adjutant General Officers that continue serving in Adjutant General Corps will focus on expanding their experience and skills and seek greater levels of responsibility to prepare for promotion to Major.

Responsibilities of an Adjutant General Captain may include:

Coordinating, planning, and synchronizing personnel support operations within sustainment units.
Work as part of a team, providing personnel support expertise in support of U.S. and multi-national operations.
Develop doctrine, organizations, and equipment for Adjutant General Corps.
Instruct and mentor subordinate leaders or peers on the full spectrum of human resources operations, skills, and systems at service schools and combat training centers.

Related Civilian Jobs
In many cases, the duties of an Adjutant General Officer are very similar to the function of a high-level human resources executive in the civilian job market. The leadership skills you acquire as an Army Officer will help you in many types of civilian careers.

Article Last Modified: February 16, 2011

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