Special Operations Command eyes creating new tech-based MOS

Special Operations Command is looking towards creating a new technology-based Military Occupational Speciality (MOS), and is using the Ignite Program at MIT to help lead the way and get some new recruits.

Ignite is a developmental program that brings together STEM majors at MIT (and other schools) with Special Operations mentors who work together to innovate new tech that has military applications. This year there were some specific focuses that Special Operations Command wanted the cadets to focus on. These were big data analytics, smart sensors, unmanned system autonomy and swarming, human-machine teaming, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and generating real-time actionable intelligence from battlefield sensors.

During the kick-off speech prior to the event, USASOC Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann announced the creation of a new MOS in their formation.

"Special operations is leading the Army by creating a new MOS this year for technology, innovation and integration, a new MOS that does not exist in the Army," Naumann said. "We’re creating it because we realized that we need it. We will have people whose job is to think about these kinds of problems, build prototypes and then help us once we get the technology integrated into the battlefield and make it work in real-world scenarios."

"I think this MOS is going to be great for recruiting for the Army, special operations and the military in general," explained 2nd Lt. Katrina Thoms who attended a previous Ignite event. "This gives a new pathway and a new job opportunity for people who are really good at technology, and not just the gun-ho, ‘let’s be in the field,’ type of people."

90 cadets participated in Ignite this September, making it the largest event of its kind thus far. SOCOM is currently searching for more SOF mentors for upcoming Ignite events.