Environmental Science Technician
$55KHigh match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Specific environmental regulations
- — GIS software proficiency
Live · Guide v1.001F · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
Home/Career Guides/01F
ARMY · 01FCareer Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.01F.R.04
01F · ARMY · EnlistedPhysical Science
Physical Science
Specialist.
Army 01F (Physical Science Specialist). 600 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $45K–$85K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours600DoD pipeline
ACE creditACEUp to 6 semester hours in physical science and laboratory techniques
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 01F background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 01F training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have10
- 01Data Analysis and Interpretation→ Data Mining, Statistical Analysis
- 02Technical Report Writing→ Documentation, Technical Communication
- 03Meteorological Observation Techniques→ Sensor Data Analysis, Environmental Monitoring
- 04Army Meteorological Systems→ System Modeling, Predictive Analysis
- 05Supervisory Techniques and Responsibilities→ Team Leadership, Project Management
- 06Army Administrative Procedures→ Process Optimization, Regulatory Compliance
- 07Situational Awareness→ Threat Detection, Risk Management
- 08After-Action Analysis→ Performance Improvement, Lessons Learned
- 09Procedural Compliance→ Quality Assurance, Standardization
- 10System Modeling→ Software Design, Architecture
To learn12
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+SQL for data querying+Python pandas and matplotlib for data manipulation and visualization+Statistical analysis techniques+Test automation frameworks like Selenium or Cypress+Programming fundamentals in Python or JavaScript+Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines+Network fundamentals and protocols+Operating systems concepts (Windows, Linux)+Cloud computing basics (AWS, Azure, GCP)+Markdown and reStructuredText for documentation+Git for version control+Software development lifecycle (SDLC)
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Laboratory Technician
$48KHigh match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Specialized lab equipment training
- — GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) certification
Quality Control Inspector
$45KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — Six Sigma certification
- — ISO standards knowledge
Technical Writer
$72KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Technical writing certification
- — Industry-specific software documentation experience
Project Manager
$85KModerate match
Very high demand
Skills to develop
- — PMP certification
- — Agile methodologies training
- — Business administration experience
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 01F training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
System Modeling
You developed system models of meteorological phenomena to understand and predict weather patterns. This involved understanding the interactions of various environmental factors.
Transfers to
This translates to an ability to create models of complex systems, predict their behavior, and identify potential issues. You can understand how different components interact and influence each other.
Procedural Compliance
Adhering to strict laboratory protocols and measurement techniques was critical to ensure accuracy and consistency in research and reporting.
Transfers to
Your experience demonstrates a strong understanding of the importance of standardized procedures and the ability to follow them precisely to maintain quality and reliability.
Situational Awareness
You maintained awareness of meteorological conditions and their potential impact on military operations, adapting observation strategies to changing circumstances.
Transfers to
This means you're adept at understanding the environment around you, identifying potential threats or opportunities, and making informed decisions based on real-time data.
After-Action Analysis
Your analysis of meteorological data and reports, and your role in advising commanders, involved assessing past actions, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing corrective measures.
Transfers to
You've honed the ability to review past events, pinpoint what worked and what didn't, and develop strategies to enhance future performance.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Data Scientist
SOC 15-2051You've been working with complex data sets, analyzing patterns, and building predictive models in your role as a meteorological specialist. Your expertise in data analysis and modeling will make you a valuable asset in the field of data science, where you'll be able to apply your skills to solve a wide range of problems.
Adjacent · MatchLogistics Analyst
SOC 13-2081You have a deep understanding of military supply chains, logistics, and resource management. As a logistics analyst, you'll be able to apply your knowledge to optimize supply chain operations, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. Your experience with military logistics will give you a unique perspective on how to manage complex supply networks.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Officer
SOC 13-1041Your military experience instilled a strong sense of discipline and adherence to regulations. As a compliance officer, you'll be able to use your knowledge of policies and procedures to ensure that organizations are following the rules and regulations. Your attention to detail and commitment to compliance will make you an effective advocate for ethical business practices.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri600hHours
15wkWeeks
ACECredit
Up to 6 semester hours in physical science and laboratory techniques
Topics · 8
- Principles of Physics and Chemistry
- Laboratory Instrumentation and Techniques
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
- Technical Report Writing
- Meteorological Observation Techniques
- Army Meteorological Systems
- Supervisory Techniques and Responsibilities
- Army Administrative Procedures
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Laboratory Technician (CLT)70%
Requires additional study in specific lab techniques, quality control, and regulatory compliance relevant to civilian labs.
- Certified Chemical Technician (CCT)60%
Needs further knowledge in industrial chemical processes, safety protocols, and specific analytical instrumentation used in the chemical industry.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Quality Technician (CQT)Adjacent
- Six Sigma Green BeltAdjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Meteorological Measuring Set AN/TMQ-53 | Automated Weather Station (AWS) | Operations |
| Joint Biological Point Detection System (JBPDS) | Real-time PCR Assay Systems for Pathogen Detection | Operations |
| M21 Remote Sensing Chemical Agent Alarm (RSCAAL) | Open-Path Fourier Transform Infrared (OP-FTIR) Spectroscopy Systems | Operations |
| AN/VDR-2 Radiac Set | Personal Radiation Detector (PRD) | Operations |
| Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM) | Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) based chemical detectors | Operations |
| Technical Escort Unit Standard Operating Procedures (TEU SOP) | HAZMAT Emergency Response Protocols | Operations |
| Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System (DOEHRS) | Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 01F into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.