Posted on Nov 7, 2018
What is the best route to become an Army Environmental Science/Engineering Officer 72D?
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Trying to make a long story short...Im currently an E5 in the National Guard, have a BS degree in Health and was lucky enough to work my way into environmental, health, safety, and sustainability for a great company (I have my associate safety cert and working on air/waste/DOT certs). Im also in grad school and using my tuition assistance for an MS in community health while also in the 2-year ROTC program.
The industrial hygienist I work under recommended I lighten my load by dropping my face-to-face graduate program in community health, and take online graduate classes thru Columbia Southern's occupational health and environmental management program (which Im a bit hesitant about, due to it being online), but it would make my home/work/school life a lot better. However, I'll also have to drop ROTC.
My goal is to commission into med services and eventually into 72D, and I'm just looking for advice on how to do this. Can I accomplish this though my current experience, while working on an EHS degree from an online school? Or should I stick with face-to-face classes in community health, and use ROTC to commission? Thanks!
The industrial hygienist I work under recommended I lighten my load by dropping my face-to-face graduate program in community health, and take online graduate classes thru Columbia Southern's occupational health and environmental management program (which Im a bit hesitant about, due to it being online), but it would make my home/work/school life a lot better. However, I'll also have to drop ROTC.
My goal is to commission into med services and eventually into 72D, and I'm just looking for advice on how to do this. Can I accomplish this though my current experience, while working on an EHS degree from an online school? Or should I stick with face-to-face classes in community health, and use ROTC to commission? Thanks!
72D: Environmental Science and Engineering
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 5
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Hey I would tell you to talk with an AMEDD recruiter. Some of the requirements have changed and additional things are needed. I would hate for you to go through all of the schooling and not have the courses that are required. Best of luck to you.
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Check your email messages on Rally Point. I sent you the essentials on how I was selected for 72D in October. Your experience in occupational health and safety will certainly be competitive. Additionally, reconsider changing your masters program to an environmental discipline. For example, a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Environmental Health would be much more competitive than Community Health. Two distance learning programs come to mind that don't require taking the GRE test: MPH in Environmental Health from New York Medical College, or MPH in Occupational and Environmental Health via Tulane University. Also, someone I know commissioned 72D with a MS in Environmental Management from University of Maryland University College via distance learning. Undergrad or graduate degrees in an environmental discipline will always take priority over other majors when being considered by the 72D selection board.
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1LT (Join to see)
LT Hackler, can you send me the info for selection for 72D? I’m 70B qualified but there’s a surge of floating 70Bs due to the conversion of CSH to FH in the Reserves. I have BS in Biochem from Syracuse and MS in Mol. Biophysics and Biochem from Yale. I’m currently finishing my PhD at UCB and ultimately want to go 71B once I complete my program.
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CPT (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) - For 72D, to effectively compete and get boarded, you'll also need experience that directly relates to public health, not just education. Industrial hygiene, environmental health, epidemiology, biostatistics, occupational health and safety, environmental science, are all qualifying experience. To board as a 71B, you'll definitely need a PhD. While a Masters is qualifying, the selection board often has enough PhD's to fill the available slots. If you're looking for a transitional AOC, I'd consider 71E, Clinical Lab Scientist. With your degrees in Biochem, and lab experience, you'd qualify for that AOC.
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/amedd-categories/medical-service-corps-jobs/clinical-laboratory-scientist.html
https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/amedd-categories/medical-service-corps-jobs/clinical-laboratory-scientist.html
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (71E)
The Clinical Laboratory Scientist manages lab operations and is responsible for the research of body fluids that can help prevent disease. Learn more at goarmy.com.
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1LT (Join to see)
CPT (Join to see) I’m one of the biosafety officers in our lab. We recently moved our lab from Yale to Cal and worked closely with EHS departments of both schools. Would this also qualify as experience? It’s not directly public health related but we’re trained in bio and chemical safety as required (in terms of practices and disposal).
As for 71E, I was looking into it but I think it requires a certification. Do you have more info on this? Thanks a ton.
As for 71E, I was looking into it but I think it requires a certification. Do you have more info on this? Thanks a ton.
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CPT (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) - The GoArmy website mentions that 71E requires a certification, but several 71E's I went to DCC/BOLC with didn't have it. They each had a BS in Clinical Lab Science, and some prior active duty experience. If you speak with a Medical Services Recruiter in your area, or better yet, contact the 71E Consultant, they can answer that question better. As for 72D, the job experience has to be a primary duty (what they pay you for). Additional duties look good, but you aren't given credit on your board score sheet. As for 71E, I'm willing to bet with your lab experience and biochem degrees, you'd easily get into the 71E AOC. Definitely reach out to the Consultant for that AOC.
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You’re on the right track and I second the advice provided by 2LT Franklin. Your AMEDD recruiter or OSM should assist you in completing a pre-determination packet for consideration as a 72D. Nothing should go forward in the direct commissioning process until approval is provided by the 72D consultant. If you receive approval at this point I would say you’re good-to-go for completing a direct commissioning packet for approval through USAREC. The caveat with this route is to attend the full-course BOLC; otherwise, attending the short-course BOLC, referred to as the RC BOLC, will drastically restrict your service to 72D. That is, should you want to pursue opportunities as a 70 series MS officer, you’ll be blocked by NGB.
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