The Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP) is designed to grant accelerated promotions to the rank of specialist for all those who possess specialized skills applicable to an MOS.
Applicants with prior training, education and/or experience (not obtained through military service) may qualify for enlistment at a higher pay grade and use their civilian skills in the Army.
In an ongoing effort to modernize its workforce and address critical occupational needs, the U.S. Army has updated its Civilian Acquired Skills Program.
The Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program is designed for individuals who already possess key job skills and certifications acquired through civilian education, training or work experience. The program allows qualified applicants to apply their expertise directly to specific Army career fields, enabling them to bypass portions of initial training and begin their military careers at a more advanced level.
By streamlining the enlistment process for civilians with experience in in-demand fields, particularly healthcare, technical trades and electronic maintenance, the Army aims to fill critical roles more efficiently. The program is currently available for more than 40 career fields.
In addition to the opportunity to join at a higher rank, many of the jobs in this program also offer sign-on bonuses, and all participants are eligible to select their duty station of choice, pending availability. This ability to choose their first station provides applicants with greater predictability after completing basic combat training.
For example, those with two years of experience or a combination of formal training and hands-on experience maintaining Air Traffic Control communication systems, navigational aid systems, and landing systems can join the Army as an Air Traffic Control Equipment Repairer under the ACASP.
Similarly, applicants with international firefighter certification and related experience can bypass Advanced Individual Training.
While each job option has specific requirements, the general criteria for enlisting through ACASP include:
- Have verifiable work experience, training, or certification in a qualifying career field.
- Meet all standard Army enlistment requirements, including age, physical fitness, and background checks.
- Provide documentation of civilian-acquired skills, such as licenses, transcripts, or employer verification.
Current military occupational specialties included in ACASP (May 2025):
- Plumber (12K)
- Firefighter (12M)
- Horizontal construction engineer (12N)
- Powerline distribution specialist (Reserve components only) (12Q)
- Interior electrician (12R)
- Carpentry and masonry specialist (12W)
- Air traffic control (ATC) operator (15Q)
- Human intelligence collector (35M)- languages that qualify (Arabic-Egyptian, Arabic-Syrian, Arabic-Gulf, French, Korean, Russian, Chinese-Mandarin (Standard), and Persian-Iranian (Farsi)
- Cryptologic linguist (35P)- language that qualifies (Korean)
- Musician (42R)
- Special band musician (42S)
- Orthopedic specialist (68B)
- Practical nursing specialist (68C)
- Operating room specialist (68D)
- Dental specialist (68E)
- Physical therapy specialist (68F)
- Optical laboratory specialist (68H)
- Medical laboratory specialist (68K)
- Occupational therapy specialist (68L)
- Nutrition care specialist (68M)
- Radiology specialist (68P)
- Pharmacy specialist (68Q)
- Combat medic specialist (68W)
- Eye specialist (68Y)
- Cargo specialist (88H)
- Watercraft operator (Seaman) (88K)
- Watercraft engineer (Engineman) (88L)
- Motor transport operator (88M)
- Railway operations crewmember (USAR only) (88U)
- Wheeled vehicle repairer (91B)
- Utilities equipment repairer (91C)
- Tactical power generation specialist (91D)
- Allied trades specialist (91E)
- Small arms/towed artillery repairer (91F)
- Track vehicle repairer (91H)
- Construction equipment repairer (91L)
- Culinary specialist (92G)
- Petroleum laboratory specialist (92L)
- Shower and laundry specialist (92S)
- Land combat electronic missile system repairer (94A)
- Air traffic control (ATC) equipment repairer (94D)
- Test, measurement and diagnostic equipment (TDME) maintenance support specialist (94H)
- Radar Repairer (94M)
Individuals can learn more about Army career options at www.goarmy.com and the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program by speaking with a local U.S. Army recruiter.
Many MOS jobs in the Army qualify for the army civilian acquired skills program. Those who may qualify for the ACASP may be given an advance in pay grade upon enlistment and may be granted accelerated promotions based on their skill level and job performance.
ACASP is available for men and women with or without prior service. Skills must be obtained through civilian education and not acquired through military service. This includes evidence of transcripts, certificates, employment records, or diplomas and must have the original seal of the institution awarding the documents and records.
ACASP also provides enlistment bonuses authorized to all ACASP MOSs on tier levels 1-5 who have tier 1 credentials, qualify as a non prior service applicant, and enlist for service longer than 3 years. Bonus amounts range from $5000 up to $20,000.
Army Language Program
Individuals who already profess to speak a foreign language have the opportunity to enlist as skilled linguist under the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP). An individual’s language ability is evaluated through the Defense Language Proficiency Test (DLPT). The DLPT measures an individual’s reading and listening skills in the language they profess to speak. Passing score is a 2 in both the reading and listening areas. Current languages eligible for this program are Arabic, Korean, French, Pashto, Persian Farsi and Spanish. Enlistees qualified for this program may be eligible for Foreign Language Proficiency Bonus (FLPB) and advance pay grade of E-4. After completion of basic training, Soldier would attend AIT in 35 P, depending on language.
If attending DLI, applicants must be U.S. citizens, be eligible for a top secret clearance, score a 105 on the DLAB (waiverable to 95), have a 91 ST score on the ASVAB and have Tier I education credentials. Family members of students enrolled at DLIFLC may enroll concurrently with the military spouse on a space available basis at no cost.
If enlisting as a linguist under the ACASP program, must be a U.S. citizen, be eligible for a top secret clearance, score a 2 in both reading and listening on the DLPT test, have a 91 ST score on the ASVAB and have Tier I education credentials.
Army Reserve Enlistment Program
The ACASP allows Army Reserve Non-Prior and Prior service applicants to use a professional skill that they have previously acquired from either formal education or on-the-job training in the civilian sector. The basic qualifications for ACASP are listed in DA Pam 611-21. Prior Service applicants cannot use their previous MOS to join under the ACASP. Non-Prior Service applicants MUST attend at least 12 weeks of IADT.