What civilian employment opportunities are there for a NG/Reserves chemical corps officer?

2017-06-13T16:27:46-04:00

Hello sir/ma'am,

In less than a year in May 2018, I will be commissioned as a 2LT in the Army National Guard. I have only a few months left before I start my search to find my state/unit/branch. I want to know what civilian job opportunities are out there if I branched chemical in the NG. And would I be qualified for those employments as soon as I commission/complete BOLC? Thank you very much.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 4:31 PM

2017-06-13T16:31:59-04:00

I would think that branching chemical would set you up in some sort of municipal HAZMAT job. My first thought is the fire department. The only ones I know of are already tied to the military so that may not help.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 4:42 PM

2017-06-13T16:42:39-04:00

If you have a degree in chemistry or biochemistry, you can find basic level jobs as a research tech. Environmental health jobs may be an option, and as some have said Hazmat teams in fire and rescue. Note that most Fire rescue Hazmat Teams are an additional duty and require that you actually become a firefighter first.

Just be thankful that as an officer your military education has accreditation for hazmat. They are still working on that for NCOs.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 4:54 PM

2017-06-13T16:54:06-04:00

Look into Tooele Army Depot in Utah

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2017 8:43 PM

2017-06-13T20:43:48-04:00

This will depend wildly on where you look. Virginia Beach, Virginia will be quite different an environment than Buford, Wyoming.

USAJOBS may have a ton of listings; or none.

As a 74D, I was told there were all kinds of opportunities-- fire departments, power plants, DHS, environmental work private and public...however, where I lived, there were -zero- opportunities for someone with no work experience (and employers know that someone fresh out of training doesn't have experience.) Most applicants had a decade of relevant work experience in the field, I didn't stand a chance.

So start job hunting now.

But be prepared to take work well outside of your MOS.

Response by CPT Philip Bailey made Jun 27 at 2017 9:56 PM

2017-06-27T21:56:38-04:00

Depends on your degree. The Army will give you the opportunity to practice a highly specialized area of safety and handling of hazardous materials from a management level. Go back and get your masters as soon as possible. The number of chemistry jobs in the country have dropped dramatically since the mid-seventies. I was stationed at Dugway Proving Grounds and that led to other opportunities. If you have a science or engineering degree look at companies like Battelle.