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ArmyCombat ArmsRank #16 of 101 by 4-year cost
13M

Multiple Launch Rocket System Crewmember

15-week pipeline · BCT + AIT · Fort Sill, OK
Training Pipeline
$42K
15 weeks
Annual MILPERS
$63K
E-4, 3 years service
Equipment Burden
$36K
per year (amortized)
4-Year Total Cost
$440K
DoD investment
4-Year Cost Breakdown
Training Pipeline
$42K10%
Military Personnel (MILPERS × 4yr)
$254K58%
Equipment Burden (× 4yr)
$144K33%
Training: 10% · MILPERS: 58% · Equipment: 33%= $440K
By the Numbers

MLRS and HIMARS have become the most visible Army weapons in recent conflicts. Each crewmember operates equipment worth $3–5M that can strike targets 45–300km away — a range envelope that overlaps with tactical aircraft.

Three MLRS crewmen + launcher = $3.2M system that outranges most artillery. One HIMARS battery fired 300+ rockets in a single month of combat operations in Ukraine (advisory context).

Training Pipeline
Duration
15 weeks
Type
BCT + AIT
Location
Fort Sill, OK
Pipeline Cost
$42K

An M270 MLRS fires 12 rockets in under 60 seconds to a range of 45km. A single M26 rocket costs $14,000 — a full 12-round ripple costs $168,000 in munitions, fired in one minute.

Equipment & Annual Burden
Primary Platform
M270B1 MLRS — $3.2M per launcher (3-person crew)
Assigned Equipment
  • ·M270B1 MLRS ($3.2M)
  • ·M142 HIMARS ($5.1M)
  • ·AFATDS Terminal
  • ·M4A1 Carbine
  • ·NBC Equipment
Annual Equipment Burden
$36K/yr
M270 ($3.2M / 3 crew / 30yr) + launcher maintenance allocation
Military Personnel Cost (Annual)
Grade BenchmarkE-4, 3 years service
Base MILPERS$63K/yr
Total Annual MILPERS$63K/yr
Force Structure Context
Annual Accessions~900
Avg Career Length6 years
Annual Training Bill$37.8M
Total Force 4yr Cost$395.6M
Other Army Profiles

Cost estimates derived from DoD Comptroller per-soldier analysis, RAND Corporation military personnel studies, CBO military compensation reports, service-specific training cost testimony, and published equipment unit costs. Error margin ±15%. Individual costs vary by duty station, assignment, and deployment tempo. This is Phase 3 of the Honest MOS DoD Budget Intelligence Roadmap.