Overview
The Mortuary Affairs Specialist performs duties relating to deceased personnel, including recovery, collection, evacuation and establishment of tentative identification. They also inventory, safeguard and evacuate personal effects of deceased personnel and serve as recovery specialists at the U.S. Army's Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii.
Job duties
- Search areas for unburied dead, unmarked graves, personal effects and identification media
- Disinter remains, record personal effects, and evacuate remains and personal effects to designated points
- Determine and record recovery locations on maps, sketches and overlays
- Establish and record tentative identification
- Inventory, safeguard and evacuate personal effects
- Assist in preparation, preservation and shipment of remains
Training
Job training for a Mortuary Affairs Specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and seven weeks and three days of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, VA with on-the-job instructions. Part of this time is spent in the classroom, and part takes place in the field.
Required ASVAB score
General Maintenance (GM): 88 Learn more about the ASVAB .
Civilian career relevance
The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with funeral services or forensic medicine.
Recruiter verification required. North Dakota availability, qualifications, training length, incentives and service terms can change.
Source: Army National Guard career record · Updated 2025-07-02