How do I boost my packet to be more competitive for the Environmental Science/ Engineering Officer program?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 22:09:17 -0400

I am applying to Environmental Science/ Engineering Office program (72D). I have BS Degree in Public Health with a concentration in Environmental Health. My GPA is 3.5. But I do not have any prior experience in the field besides schooling. I wonder what my chances to get selected are?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2020 5:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 05:51:25 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2020 9:37 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 09:37:25 -0400

Because there is a shortage of ESOs in the Army...and coupled with your degree is PH with EH, I'd say your chances are pretty damn good.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 2 at 2020 2:57 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 02 Apr 2020 14:57:15 -0400

My community is specialized and I was a senior Accessions Officer on the side when I was doing my Skipper jobs. If like our Service, there's a short and long program to skate. Make sure your application doesn't have any punctuation, spelling, or grammer busts like the one in the first sentence of your post. Make sure your degree actually meets the physical or biological science degree requirement and any accreditation aspect. If you do this stuff right, then you should get the attention an accessions type who either recommends or decides (usually juniors recommend). Paper is one thing. Your appearance and mouth is another. The interviewer is trying to decide if you're worth the time and investment and have a high likelihood of success through the O-4 board. They don't want to bring people in who won't be hanging around. Shortages is a double edged sword. Good people who get in have some dirtbags as their peers and are often stuck with cleaning up their mess. Sitting junior and senior promotion boards taught me that my community works very hard to get great people in only to send some of them home 10 years later. The Reserve side gets them which means the officer who was always a reservist may be at a disadvantage at the O-4 and above boards. Nature of the beast. If you are interviewed, your demeanor needs to be about serving, learning, and always moving forward. Officers need to be good communicators (Senior NCOs too!). That's the consistent theme of the candidates that got my stamp of approval.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 3 at 2020 11:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 23:11:36 -0400

HAZMAT off the top of my head. Courses like that.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2020 11:34 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Apr 2020 23:34:16 -0400

Can’t speak to 72D; however, in the private sector there are plenty of EHS (environmental, health and safety) positions even @ the entry level. Great field - opened many doors for me within EHS and beyond.

Response by Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2020 10:00 AM

Cadet 2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Nov 2020 10:00:43 -0500

Have you heard anything back from the Board yet?