MOS 2161 Machinist
MOS 2161 Machinist
MOS Description
Machinists perform various duties incident to fabrication, repair or modification of engineer, motor transport, weapons, and accessories. Duties include selection of proper stock and set up of work on lathes, shapes, milling machines, internal and external grinders, drill presses, saws and cylinder, or line-boring machines. Machinists work from sketches, diagrams, blueprints, written specifications, or oral instructions. The control of quality and accuracy is met by the machinists' use of precision measuring devices to include micrometers, Vernier gauges, and various other gauges and the subsequent adjustment of machine tool controls. Fabrication of metals is also followed by welding with all standard welding equipment. Maintenance of all shop equipment is performed to ensure that serviceability is sustained. Coordination with other repair shops, reporting of work completion, and the shop administrative functions are requirements to be effected by machinists.

National Certifications
You selected Early Career—this applies to Marines in paygrades E1-E3. To help you focus on the credentials most appropriate for early in your career, the National Certifications list below has been filtered to only show COOL-funded certifications that are related to Most or Some of the skills and training gained in your MOS. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.
Obtaining credentials related to your MOS helps improve your professionalism and help prepare you for civilian employment when you do transition out.
Once you have found a credential you want to pursue and are eligible for, you can apply for a voucher for COOL funding to pay for the exam. Make sure to check to see that you meet the eligibility requirements for a voucher before you apply.
You selected Mid-Career—this applies to Marines in paygrades E4-E5. To help you focus on credentials most applicable to this phase in your career, the certification list has been filtered to only show COOL-funded certifications that are related to Most or Some of the skills and training gained in your MOS. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.
Obtaining credentials related to your MOS helps improve your professionalism and helps prepare you for civilian employment when you do transition out.
Once you have found a credential you want to pursue and are eligible for, you can apply for a voucher for COOL funding to pay for the exam. Make sure to check to see that you meet the eligibility requirements for a voucher before you apply. The Marine Corps will not pay for exams if you have less than six months of service left so you'll want to plan accordingly.
You selected Late Career-- this applies to Marines in paygrades E6-E9. To help you focus on credentials most applicable to this phase in your career, the certification list has been filtered to only show COOL-funded certifications that are related to Most or Some of the skills and training gained in your MOS. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.
Obtaining credentials related to your MOS helps improve your professionalism and help prepare you for civilian employment when you do transition out.
Once you have found a credential you want to pursue and are eligible for, you can apply for a voucher for COOL funding to pay for the exam. Make sure to check to see that you meet the eligibility requirements for a voucher before you apply. The Marine Corps will not pay for exams if you have less than six months of service left so you'll want to plan accordingly.
You chose Transitioning-- this applies to Marines who are not reenlisting and are planning their next steps. To help you focus on the most applicable credentials, the certification list has been filtered to only show in-demand credentials that are GI Bill approved. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.
Obtaining a credential can help prepare you for civilian employment, and can demonstrate knowledge and skills in a way civilian employers understand. The Marine Corps will not pay for exams if you have less than six months of service left so you'll want to plan accordingly. If you are already within that six-month timeframe, you can still choose to pursue the credential yourself or explore other funding options to pay for credentials.
As a transitioning Marine, you may also want to visit the Marine Corps' Transition Readiness Program for other guidance regarding reentering the civilian workforce.
You chose Promotion-Seeking-- this applies to Marines who plan to stay in the Corps and who are actively working on advancement. To help you focus on the most applicable credentials, the certification list has been filtered to only show COOL-funded certifications that are related to Most or Some of the skills and training gained in your MOS. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.
Obtaining credentials related to your rating helps improve your professionalism and help prepare you for civilian employment when you do transition out.
Once you have found a credential you want to pursue and are eligible for, you can apply for a voucher for COOL funding to pay for the exam. Make sure to check to see that you meet the eligibility requirements for a voucher before you apply. The Marine Corps will not pay for exams if you have less than six months of service left so you'll want to plan accordingly.
You chose Veteran-- veterans are any former Service member who has been discharged from active duty military service. To help you focus on the most applicable credentials, the certification list has been filtered to show in-demand credentials that are GI Bill approved. You can customize your search by clicking Select Filters at the top left of the credentials table or by using the keyword search at the top right of the table.
COOL does not pay for credentialing exams for veterans, but you may be able to get your credential funded through the GI Bill. Explore your funding options to see what funding may be available to you. Also, visit our page of Related Sites and expand the Resource Sites For Veterans section to see what other resources may be available to you
The following civilian credentials are related to MOS 2161 Machinist. These credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these credentials, click on the credential title below.
For more supervisory and managerial credentials, please refer to the LEADER summary page.Compare | Credential | Agency | Related As | Attainability | COOL$ | GI Bill® | Accreditation | ID | |
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Certified Welder (CW)
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American Welding Society (AWS) | ![]() |
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Certified Control Systems Technician - Level I (CCST-I)
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International Society of Automation (ISA) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - Measurement, Materials, and Safety Skills Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - Job Planning, Benchwork, & Layout Skills Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - Drill Press Skills I Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (CMRP)
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Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP) | ![]() |
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Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT) Is Not In Demand | Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP) | ![]() |
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Metalforming Skills - Level I Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level II - Manual Milling Skills II Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level II - Drill Press Skills II Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level II - Surface Grinding Skills Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level II - CNC Milling Skills II Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level II - CNC Turning Skills II Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - Manual Milling Skills I Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - Turning Operations: Turning Chucking Skills Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - Turning Operations: Turning Between Centers Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - Grinding Skills I Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - CNC Lathe Programming Setup & Operations Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - CNC Milling: Programming Setup & Operations Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - CNC Lathe Operations Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level I - CNC Milling: Operations Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Certified Vibration Analyst - Category I Is Not In Demand | Vibration Institute | ![]() |
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Machining Level II - Turning II - Between Centers Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Machining Level II - Cylindrical Grinding Skills Is Not In Demand | National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc (NIMS) | ![]() |
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Certified Control Systems Technician - Level II (CCST-II) Is Not In Demand | International Society of Automation (ISA) | ![]() |
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Certified Control Systems Technician - Level III (CCST-III) Is Not In Demand | International Society of Automation (ISA) | ![]() |
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Certified Vibration Analyst - Category II Is Not In Demand | Vibration Institute | ![]() |
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Certified Balancing Specialist - Category I Is Not In Demand | Vibration Institute | ![]() |
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State Licenses
Some states have specific licensing requirements for the following related civilian occupations. These state licenses may require additional education, training or experience. Click on the occupation below to get more information on state requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor. For more supervisory and managerial occupations, please refer to the LEADER summary page.
Apprenticeship
The United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP) is a formal military training program that provides active duty and Full Time Support (FTS) Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Service members the opportunity to improve their job skills and to complete their civilian apprenticeship requirements while they are on active duty. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provides the nationally recognized "Certificate of Completion" upon program completion.
USMAP enhances your job skills and shows your motivation for more challenging military assignments. Having a DOL Certificate of Completion is an advantage in getting better civilian jobs since employers know the value of apprenticeships.
The following USMAP apprenticeship trades are related to MOS 2161 Machinist:
Completing an apprenticeship is a process with four major steps. Proceed to Step 1 on the USMAP website to select an apprenticeship trade that is related to your military occupation.
Related Civilian Occupations
The following civilian occupations are similar to the duties performed by MOS 2161 Machinist. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below. For more supervisory and managerial positions, please refer to the LEADER summary page. To search for related civilian job opportunities, go to the Veteran’s Employment Center.
Related Federal Occupations
The following federal occupations are similar to MOS 2161 Machinist. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the federal occupation below.
Other Career Considerations
A wide range of civilian job opportunities is available within the private and public sectors that align with MOS 2161 Machinist military training and experience. More information about these opportunities and other considerations concerning occupations related to MOS MOS 2161 Machinist can be found below.
Construction Team Opportunities
Bechtel, a world-wide employer in engineering, project management, and construction, has opportunities for veterans trained and experienced in skilled craft to join their construction team on their oil, gas, and chemicals; power generation; communications; and civil infrastructure projects across the United States. Bechtel values the strong qualities and attributes servicemembers have to offer. Bechtel recruits and retains top talent from all Service branches through a variety of programs like Bechtel Military Veterans' Employee Resource Group, Helmets to Hardhats, Military job fairs, and through other pipelines.
To learn more about Bechtel and the locations of their projects, or to complete a profile to indicate your interest, visit the Bechtel website.
Continuing Education
In addition to obtaining certifications in your field, advanced education is another way to enhance job performance.
For help in making informed choices on schools and education programs when using tuition assistance, see: