Cargo Specialist

Overview

Cargo Specialists help ensure Army National Guard forces receive supplies, weapons, equipment and mail—on a daily basis, all over the world. They are primarily responsible for transferring or supervising the transfer of passengers, cargo and equipment to and from air, land and water transport by manual and mechanical methods.

Job duties

• Inspect, count and document cargo utilizing both manual and automated data processing systems
• Load and unload supplies and equipment from ships, docks, beaches, railheads, boxcars, warehouses, motor vehicles and aircraft
• Operate and maintain all types and sizes of winches, cranes and forklifts
• Create load plans for air shipment and ocean liner vessels
• Operate ocean liner vessel equipment

Training

Job training for a Cargo Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field. Advanced Individual Training: 8 weeks at Fort Eustis, VA Some of the skills you'll learn are: Operation and care of forklifts, power winches, container handlers and cranes Techniques for loading and storing cargo Techniques for planning and scheduling cargo shipments Safety procedures for handling potentially dangerous cargo

Required ASVAB score

General Maintenance (GM): 88 Learn more about the ASVAB .

Helpful skills

• Experience operating heavy equipment such as container handlers, forklifts and cranes
• Interest in working around airports, railways, seaports and ocean beach terminals
• Preference for physical work
• Interest in business mathematics

Civilian career relevance

The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with trucking firms, air cargo companies and shipping lines. You'll be able to consider a future as an industrial truck operator, stevedore, longshoreman, material handler or cargo checker.