How does one apply for a Weather position from outside the military?

SGT Matt Schiess — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 21:29:53 -0500

I am a National Guard veteran and I am absolutely ON FIRE for pursuing a career in Meteorology with the military. I have a lot of experience (self-obtained) in my science. I am a forecaster for a veteran's group in my local area, I have been a Storm Spotter for 17 years (NOT to be confused with a regular storm chaser). In 2012, I obtained my Advanced Storm Spotter certification, in a class presented by none other than Greg Carbin, former WCM at SPC. I am also co-host of a weather podcast called "Polygon".
The person I aspire to be the most like in the weather enterprise said this: "Have a servant's heart, and you will go far."
I believe I possess every word of that quote, and I intend on living by that every minute of every day.
With the drawdowns being how they are right now, none of the services seem to looking for people like me right off the street.
Does anyone have any idea how to get in the Meteorology career field? I am willing to do pretty much anything to make it happen, (aside from breaking the law, haha) and I believe that I would be a great asset to a military weather team.

Response by MSgt Gary Koble made Feb 17 at 2016 1:35 AM

MSgt Gary Koble — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 01:35:17 -0500

As far as I know, the only official way to get hired on as a DOD civilian is through https://www.usajobs.com. Set up a search agent and search the country for positions that you may be interested in applying for. The standards for meteorological techs and meteorologists are outlined at opm.gov at these two links:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/meteorological-technician-series-1341/
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1300/meteorology-series-1340/

Unfortunately there are not a lot of civilian meteorologists in the Air Force and after I retired from weather, I chose to apply in a computer science field simply because my odds were better for getting "in the door." Hope this helps!

USAJOBS - The Federal Government’s Official Jobs Site

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Feb 17 at 2016 1:45 AM

SrA Matthew Knight — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 01:45:48 -0500

Getting into military related weather unfortunately most likely won't be a possibility for you at this point unless you'd qualify for reserves. Otherwise on the civilian side there are many different choices, SPC, NWS, NOAA, local weather, etc. The challenge is going to be whether or not you are degreed. Just being storm spotter certified and self taught is most likely not going to land you a professional weather job. Even for those of us in Air Force weather who forecast and observe for several years most likely wouldn't find work anywhere unless we had a degree in meteorology, and in most cases that would have to be at least a Bachelor's. If you can knock out a degree than you would have a foot in the door already, then it would just come down to finding an opening somewhere.

To my knowledge aviation weather isn't hiring as many people as the FAA is trying to field automated observation sensors. We already have them at nearly every airport however as it stands they aren't perfect and often times need augmentation by trained observers. With advances in technology though I wouldn't be surprised to see fewer and fewer aviation weather observers if any in the near future. Although nothing can beat a trained human eye in my (and most other weather observer's opinions) the FAA is looking at saving money like everyone else and automated sensors are that cost saving function.

So, BLUF, work on getting a degree if you don't already have some and keep your eyes peeled for openings. You may not find much locally depending on where you live but the jobs are out there.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 5:16 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 05:16:58 -0500

I can think of multiple Air National Guard units with vacancies. Have you tried talking to a recruiter?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 17 at 2016 10:44 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 10:44:22 -0500

Fifth Army, NORTHCOM, FEMA, NOAA, National Weather Service, HLS

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 10:08 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 10:08:25 -0500

A civilian friend of mine (former TV weatherman) just raised his right hand late last year and DEPPed into the AF Reserves and is currently awaiting a position at the USAF Forecaster schoolhouse at Keesler AFB. Once he gets the forecaster school slot he will go to Basic, then initial skills training. He went through an AF Reserve recruiter near Kansas City, but first did his homework: He arrived at the recruiter's office armed with contact information for the two AF Reserve weather units he was interested in joining. There's one at Scott AFB (near St. Louis) and one at Shaw AFB (near Columbia, SC). The recruiter made contact with those two units and got the availability information that way.

PS: I got to hear Greg Carbin speak several years ago in Omaha, NE. I really enjoyed it!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 23 at 2016 10:10 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 10:10:11 -0500

How old are you? If you're <23 years old you might qualify for the USAF Academy, especially as a former Guardman. It offers meteorology BS degrees and make weather officers.