MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- In the Marine Corps there is an abundance of military occupational specialties varying from air traffic controllers to videographers.
Two of the MOSs aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, are the embarkation specialists and mobility officers.
The embarkation specialist and mobility officers prepare supplies and equipment for embarkation and perform various Force Deployment Planning and Execution functions to support the movement of personnel, supplies and equipment via multiple modes of transportation including commercial and military assets at all levels.
“Most Marines don’t worry about gear they need until it’s not there, that’s why we are here,” said Warrant Officer Matthew Hansen, mobility officer for Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. “This is why our MOS is essential to the mission; we can’t train without the necessary gear, so we are responsible for making sure the gear needed arrives on time and in working condition.”
An embarkation specialist is trained to prepare aircraft and ship load plans to meet organizational requirements needed for exercises and operations. They assist with the preparation, planning and execution of strategic mobility plans in accordance with the Time Phased Force Deployment Data used to deploy and sustain forward deployed forces.
“There are times when work gets a bit hectic because we are not only dealing with Marine assets but our sister services and civilian organizations as well,” said Cpl. Jonathan Charles, an embarkation specialist with MWSS-171. “We have to be able to work around bad weather, cancelled flights and unexpected changes to the core plan.”
Embarkation specialists also perform multiple logistics administrative duties within the J/G/S-4 sections. They compile and maintain logistics support data, compute combat logistics support requirements, and coordinate combat logistics functions in support of Marine Air Ground Task Force operations and deployments. At the staff noncommissioned officer level, they also serve as combat cargo assistants onboard naval amphibious assault ships.
“This is a very versatile MOS,” said Hansen. “I’ve been in this field for almost 20 years first as an embarker and now as a mobility officer.”
Hansen said he enjoyed his time in the field and is looking forward to continuing to assist in mission accomplishment.