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Role Overview

A correctional specialist in the military runs the day to day operations of military confinement and detention facilities. In the Army this is MOS 31E, Corrections and Detention Specialist / Internment and Resettlement Specialist.

These soldiers:

• Guard and supervise military prisoners and detainees
• Maintain safety, security and order inside facilities
• Monitor health and welfare, and support rehabilitative programs
• Support detainee and internment operations in deployed environments

If you are interested in law enforcement and corrections, want a structured environment, and can balance firmness with professionalism, this is the military’s core corrections specialty.

What Correctional Specialists Actually Do

The Army description for 31E is clear: you handle day to day operations in a military correctional or detention facility, provide security, and support rehabilitation.

Your work usually falls into four areas.

1. Custody and security

You are responsible for keeping people, staff and the community safe:

• Guard and monitor prisoners or detainees in cells, dorms, yards and work areas
• Conduct formal head counts and spot checks
• Control movement inside the facility and at secure entry points
• Search cells, common areas and individuals for contraband
• Enforce rules, respond to disturbances, and help prevent riots or escapes

You apply established regulations every day. The emphasis is on safety, order and humane treatment.

2. Health, welfare and rehabilitation

Corrections in the military is not only about locking people up:

• Monitor the health and welfare of confined personnel
• Observe behavior and report concerns about mental health, medical issues or safety risks
• Support or run rehabilitative and educational programs where assigned
• Offer basic counseling and guidance within structured programs

You are often one of the first people to notice changes in a prisoner’s behavior or mood.

3. Facility operations and documentation

A huge part of corrections is detailed process and paperwork:

• Conduct inspections of housing units and facility areas
• Complete incident reports, disciplinary reports and routine logs
• Maintain records of head counts, movements and restraints
• Process new arrivals and releases, to include property and documentation
• Coordinate with medical, legal and command staff on prisoner status

Reports must be accurate, because they support legal proceedings and internal reviews.

4. Detention and internment in deployed settings

Some 31E soldiers also support detainee operations in operational theaters:

• Supervise and manage detainees or enemy prisoners of war
• Provide external security to detention facilities in theater
• Coordinate detainee movement, property, medical treatment and transfer or release
• Help ensure compliance with law of armed conflict and host nation agreements

You may also advise on host nation corrections development, which adds an international and advisory dimension at higher skill levels.

Work Environment

Correctional specialists work in two broad environments.

1. Military confinement facilities and brigs

• Permanent on base correctional facilities for U.S. military prisoners
• Detention facilities on large installations or regional centers
• Structured, controlled indoor environments with secure perimeters

Your work space is:

• Indoors for much of the day, with supervised outdoor yards
• Highly regulated, with cameras, doors, gates and alarms
• Shift based, often including nights, weekends and holidays

2. Deployed detention operations

When deployed you may work in:

• Temporary or semi permanent detention facilities at forward locations
• Theater internment facilities that hold detainees captured in operations

Conditions are more austere:

• Tents, modular structures or hardened temporary buildings
• Hot or cold climates, dust and noise
• Close integration with Military Police, intelligence and medical units

In both settings the job is structured and rule focused, but the environment ranges from institutional to field conditions.

Entry Requirements and Training Path

This section focuses on the Army 31E path but the themes are similar across the services.

Basic eligibility

• Meet Army enlistment standards for age and citizenship
• High school diploma or GED
• Meet medical, vision, hearing and fitness requirements
• Pass background checks suitable for a security clearance

Aptitude

You must take the ASVAB. Corrections and detention roles need adequate scores in:

• General technical and verbal skills for documentation and communication
• Some physical and emotional suitability for a corrections environment

Official materials emphasize interest in law enforcement and the ability to remain calm and professional under stress as important.

Training pipeline

1. Basic Combat Training
   • About 10 weeks
   • Core soldier skills, weapons, fitness, discipline
2. Advanced Individual Training (AIT) / Corrections and Detention Course
   • Around 7 weeks for the Army National Guard corrections and detention specialist and similar for active duty, according to Guard and USAMPS course descriptions
   • Conducted at Fort Leonard Wood at the U.S. Army Military Police School

You learn:

• U.S. military corrections and detainee operations fundamentals
• Enemy prisoner of war handling and legal basics
• Facility security, checks and searches
• Interpersonal communication skills in a corrections setting
• Preventive maintenance and checks on equipment
• Reports, forms and documentation standards

After AIT you join a unit and receive on the job training for the specific facility or mission.

Core Skills and Personal Traits

Good correctional specialists typically have:

• Strong self control
  You can stay calm and professional when inmates are angry, manipulative or disrespectful.
• Consistency and fairness
  You enforce rules the same way for everyone, which supports safety and respect.
• Good observation skills
  You notice changes in behavior, tensions between inmates, or security concerns.
• Clear communication
  You give firm, simple instructions and write clear reports.
• Physical presence and fitness
  You may need to restrain prisoners, respond rapidly to fights, and stand or walk for long periods.
• Emotional resilience
  You may deal with offenders, mental health crises and sometimes disturbing offenses.
• Team orientation
  You rely on your fellow guards and supervisors. Coordination and trust are critical.

If you like structure, do not shy away from confrontation, and care about safety and order, these traits line up well with the job.

Education and Ongoing Development

Minimum entry education is high school diploma or GED.

However, corrections and law enforcement often reward extra education.

While serving you can:

• Take college courses in criminal justice, psychology, sociology or counseling
• Complete an associate or bachelor degree using tuition assistance and later the GI Bill
• Attend specialized courses in:
  • Crisis intervention
  • Use of force and defensive tactics
  • Suicide prevention in correctional facilities
  • Host nation corrections development and detainee operations

Department of Defense COOL identifies multiple related civilian certifications for 31E, such as corrections officer credentials, jail management, and emergency response, sometimes with funding support.

This combination of military training and civilian education positions you well for jobs in local, state or federal corrections after service.

Earnings Potential and Benefits

While in uniform as 31E

Pay is based on rank and years of service, not the MOS title, but we can give realistic ranges.

• New enlisted soldiers typically start with base pay in the mid 20,000 dollar per year range.
• By the time you are an E4 or E5 with a few years of service, base pay is often in the low to mid 30,000 to low 40,000 dollar range.
• Housing allowance, food allowance, healthcare and other benefits can raise total compensation into the 40,000 to 60,000 plus range for many mid grade enlisted soldiers.

A recent Glassdoor snapshot for Army 31E lists an estimated total pay range around 48,000 to 68,000 dollars per year, with an average near 57,000 dollars, based on a small sample that likely includes base pay plus allowances.

The exact number will depend on your rank, duty station, years of service and family status.

Civilian corrections pay after service

31E maps closely to Correctional Officers and Jailers, O*NET code 33 3012.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2024:

• Median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers is about 57,970 dollars
• The lowest 10 percent earn less than 41,750 dollars
• The top 10 percent earn more than 93,000 dollars

Wages are significantly higher than average in some states, large metro areas and federal facilities. With experience and education you can move into:

• First line supervisor of correctional officers
• Probation or parole roles
• Training officer or jail administrator positions

Day in the Life of a Correctional Specialist

Your daily routine depends on whether you are assigned to a confinement facility, a detention mission, or a staff support role.

Here is a typical day for a correctional specialist at a military confinement facility.

Before shift

• Arrive early, store personal items and pass through security
• Attend shift briefing for updates on inmate status, incidents and special concerns
• Receive post assignments for the shift, such as housing unit, control room or escort duty

During the shift

Common tasks include:

• Conducting head counts at scheduled times
• Supervising inmate movement to chow, medical, work or programs
• Monitoring housing units, resolving disputes, and enforcing daily routines
• Conducting cell searches and pat downs to check for contraband
• Writing incident reports when rules are broken or incidents occur
• Observing inmates on suicide watch or special status more closely

If assigned to intake and release:

• Process new prisoners, record property, take fingerprints and photos
• Complete documentation and ensure all legal paperwork is in order
• Coordinate out processing for releases, transfers or court appearances

You also:

• Communicate constantly with your partner and control room
• Use radios and electronic security systems
• Stay alert for changes in mood, group dynamics or potential unrest

End of shift

• Secure equipment and weapons if issued
• Complete all required reports and log entries
• Brief the incoming shift on anything unusual

In deployed detention operations:

• You may deal with larger numbers of detainees
• Work more closely with intelligence and operations staff
• Handle more frequent movements, security escorts and external threats

The flow is structured, but unexpected incidents can change your day quickly.

Career Growth and Promotion Path

Inside the Army, 31E has defined skill levels and responsibilities. Duty descriptions and training manuals outline a progression from hands on supervision to facility and operations management.

Skill level 1 – Junior correctional specialist

• Rank: typically E1 to E3
• Duties:
  • Assist with supervision and accountability of prisoners or internees
  • Provide external security to corrections or detention facilities
  • Perform checks, searches and routine documentation

Skill level 2 – Squad or section level leader

• Rank: usually E4 to E5
• Duties:
  • Supervise daily operations in a housing unit or section
  • Counsel and manage prisoners within the facility
  • Train junior soldiers in procedures and safety

Skill level 3 and 4 – Senior NCO and operations roles

• Rank: E6 and above
• Duties:
  • Oversee facility operations, prisoner employment and rehabilitation programs
  • Advise operations officers on detention and corrections processes
  • Coordinate detainee operations, property, transport, medical and release procedures
  • Ensure compliance with U.S. and host nation law and the law of armed conflict

You can branch into:

• Instructor roles at USAMPS corrections and detention courses
• Staff roles in Army Corrections Command and related organizations
• Warrant officer track or other law and security specialties if you qualify

After the military

Common civilian paths include:

• Local or state correctional officer
• Federal Bureau of Prisons correctional officer
• Juvenile detention specialist
• Probation and parole support roles, sometimes with more education
• Security supervisor in institutional or industrial settings

Your experience with structured procedures, high risk populations and detailed documentation is valuable in many protective service roles.

Employment Outlook

The civilian occupation Correctional Officers and Jailers has a steady, though not explosive, outlook.

Recent BLS data indicates:

• Median wage around 57,970 dollars as of 2024
• Job outlook relatively stable, with modest changes depending on state policies and incarceration trends

Some states are moving toward alternative sentencing, which can slow growth, but turnover, retirements and the need for secure facilities maintain ongoing hiring.

Within the military:

• The Army Corrections Command and related organizations emphasize the enduring need to securely incarcerate and rehabilitate U.S. military prisoners and to manage detention operations where required.
• Detention and corrections remain a core part of military police and security operations, especially in complex operations and contingency environments.

Overall, if you combine 31E experience with education and possibly certifications, your long term employment outlook in corrections, security and related fields is solid.

Advantages of Being a Correctional Specialist

People who enjoy this career often value:

• Clear structure and expectations
  Rules are precise. Procedures are written. You know what is expected every day.
• Direct impact on safety and order
  Your work protects staff, inmates and the broader community.
• Role in rehabilitation
  You can make a difference by supporting programs and modeling professionalism.
• Transferable skills
  Experience in corrections supports transitions into civilian corrections, probation, law enforcement and security.
• Law enforcement exposure
  You gain experience in a specialized law enforcement environment that can be a stepping stone to broader roles.

Challenges and Realities

This path also brings serious challenges:

• Stressful environment
  You deal daily with conflict, noncompliance and sometimes manipulative behavior.
• Risk of violence
  Fights, assaults and self harm attempts can occur. You must be ready and trained.
• Emotional weight
  You may work with people who have committed serious violent or sexual offenses.
• Shift work
  Nights, weekends and holidays are normal in 24 hour facilities.
• Potential burnout
  The combination of monotony, stress, and conflict can wear people down if they do not manage self care.

Being realistic about these issues is important when deciding if the role fits you.

Is This Career a Good Fit for You

You might be a strong fit for correctional specialist work if you:

• Prefer a structured, rule driven environment
• Are comfortable with confrontation and can keep your cool under pressure
• Want to protect people and maintain order
• Can separate your personal feelings from professional duties
• Are interested in law enforcement, but open to starting in corrections
• Can handle shift work and a secure facility lifestyle

If you are unsure, it helps to look beyond the job title and understand what actually motivates you day to day.

Is this career a good fit for you
Take the free MAPP assessment at www.assessment.com to see how your motivational profile aligns with a career as a military correctional specialist and with other law and security roles.

The MAPP assessment can show whether you are naturally energized by structure, authority, helping roles, investigation, hands on work or analytical problem solving. That insight is very useful when choosing between corrections, Military Police, criminal investigation, security forces, and other specialties.

How To Get Started

1. Take the MAPP assessment
   Use your results as a starting point to discuss corrections and law enforcement options with a recruiter or counselor.
2. Research 31E and similar roles
   Read official Army pages for 31E Corrections and Detention Specialist / Internment and Resettlement Specialist and general military corrections overviews.
3. Talk to current or former 31E soldiers if possible
   Ask about facility life, deployments, best and hardest parts, and how the work affected them.
4. Prepare your record
   • Stay out of legal and financial trouble
   • Maintain good physical fitness and emotional health
   • Practice clear writing and basic report structure
5. Plan your long term path
   Decide if you want to use corrections as:
   • A long term career, or
   • A stepping stone to civilian corrections, probation, or broader law enforcement

Then choose education and assignments that support that path.

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