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The Army forces need supplies, weapons, equipment and mail delivered on a daily basis, all over the world. This cargo, which travels by land, sea and air, has to be handled carefully. Ensuring the safe arrival at the correct destinations of any and all Army cargo is the responsibility of the Cargo Specialist. Cargo Specialists load and unload supplies and materials using equipment such as forklifts and cranes, as well as plan and organize loading schedules, creates/reviews ocean cargo manifest and load plans.
Cargo Specialists 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. Some of your duties as a Cargo Specialist may include:
Inspect, tally, and document cargo utilizing both manual and automated data processing systems
Rig ships’ gear as part of a team
Load and unload supplies and equipment from ships, docks, beaches, railheads, boxcars,
warehouses, motor vehicles and aircraft (to include internal and external helicopter loading)
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
Advanced Responsibilities
Advanced level Cargo Specialists provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Cargo Specialist, you may be involved in:
Assign cargo handlers, signal and winch operators to duty stations
Provide technical guidance to subordinates
Inspect cargo, supervise cargo checking and hatch operations and control aircraft loading and unloading
Oversee railhead tie-down crews
Direct container stuffing and unstuffing
Plan warehouse storage
Manage crane operations
Supervise operator maintenance for cargo handling equipment such as cranes and forklifts
Enforce safety practices and documentation procedures
Coordinate with logistical agencies both military and civilian to ensure safe handling and transfer of cargo
Prepare country clearance for equipment, cargo, and personnel with US Embassies
Create load plans for ocean liner vessels and aircrafts by using automated systems
Manage movement plans within specific marshalling and staging areas
Ensure hazardous cargo, ammunition and sensitive cargo is stored properly
Related Civilian Jobs
The skills you learn as a Cargo Specialist will help prepare you for a civilian career with trucking firms, air cargo companies and shipping lines. You’ll be able to consider a future as an industrial truck operator, a stevedore, a longshoreman, a material handler or a cargo checker.
Related Army Positions
Railway Equipment Repairer (88P)
Railway Operations Crewmember (88U)
Transportation Management Coordinator (88N)