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01G Career Guide

Army

01G: Chemical Engineering Research Specialist

Career transition guide for Army Chemical Engineering Research Specialist (01G)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 01G veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Chemical Engineer

$110K
High matchGrowing demand

Process Engineer

$95K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Specific industry process knowledge (e.g., semiconductor, pharmaceutical)

Environmental Engineer

$88K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Environmental regulations knowledgeHAZWOPER certification

Laboratory Manager

$82K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Supervisory experience in a civilian lab settingSpecific lab equipment knowledge

Meteorologist

$75K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Civilian meteorology certificationsBroadened understanding of weather modeling software

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 01G training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

Developing a deep understanding of complex chemical engineering processes and their interactions within a larger system, like a pilot plant or a military meteorological system.

Analyzing and predicting the behavior of complex systems by creating models, understanding inputs, outputs, and interdependencies to optimize performance.

Procedural Compliance

Adhering to strict protocols and regulations in laboratory settings, ensuring safety and accuracy in chemical experiments, and following military directives for administrative and personnel procedures.

Maintaining consistent adherence to established procedures and guidelines to ensure quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in various industries.

After-Action Analysis

Evaluating the effectiveness of chemical engineering tests and pilot plant experiments, identifying discrepancies, and preparing clear and concise reports to improve future processes and commander policies.

Conducting thorough reviews of projects or processes to identify areas for improvement, learn from mistakes, and implement changes for better outcomes in future endeavors.

Resource Optimization

Efficiently managing chemical engineering equipment, materials, and personnel to conduct experiments and tests within limited resources, while also advising the commander on troop welfare and logistics.

Strategically allocating and managing resources, including personnel, equipment, and budget, to maximize efficiency and achieve desired outcomes.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Quality Control Analyst

SOC 19-4041.00

You've been meticulously planning and conducting chemical engineering experiments, ensuring accurate data recording, and analyzing results. This translates directly into quality control where you'll be evaluating products, processes, and systems to meet quality standards and identify areas for improvement. Your experience with pilot plant experiments makes you well-suited for understanding the nuances of industrial processes.

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

SOC 13-1041.00

You've been immersed in understanding and adhering to military directives and regulations. Now, you can leverage that expertise to navigate the complex landscape of regulatory requirements in industries like pharmaceuticals or environmental science. You already possess the skills to prepare technical reports and ensure compliance, which are crucial for this role.

Technical Sales Engineer

SOC 41-9031.00

You've developed deep technical knowledge of chemical engineering principles and equipment. This makes you an ideal candidate to explain the benefits and uses of complex technical products or services to potential customers. Your experience in preparing reports and advising commanders gives you the communication and interpersonal skills needed to excel in sales.

Sustainability Consultant

SOC 13-1199.08

You've demonstrated an understanding of thermodynamics and materials, and the impact of chemical processes. You can apply this knowledge to help businesses become more environmentally responsible. Your analytical abilities and understanding of complex systems will allow you to identify opportunities for improvement and develop sustainable solutions.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Officer Basic Course (OBC), varies by engineering specialization; follow-on on-the-job training at assigned research facility

320 training hours8 weeksVaries, depending on OBC content; typically up to 6 semester hours in engineering or related science.

Topics Covered

  • Chemical engineering principles
  • Laboratory safety procedures
  • Experiment design and data analysis
  • Operation of chemical engineering equipment
  • Technical report writing
  • Army administrative procedures
  • Military leadership fundamentals
  • Meteorological Observation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Chemical Technician (CChT)70% covered

Requires understanding of specific industry regulations, quality control procedures, and hands-on experience with analytical instrumentation.

HAZWOPER Certification50% covered

Needs additional training on specific hazardous materials handling, emergency response protocols, and site-specific safety procedures.

Certified Environmental Technician (CET)40% covered

Lacks specific knowledge of environmental regulations, sampling techniques, and data analysis related to environmental monitoring.

Recommended Next Certifications

Professional Engineer (PE) in Chemical EngineeringSix Sigma Green BeltProject Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Army Meteorological System (AMS)Commercial weather forecasting and analysis software (e.g., Baron Lynx, Weather Decision Technologies)
Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM)Industrial hygiene monitors for detecting hazardous gases and vapors (e.g., Dräger X-am series)
Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD)Spectroscopic gas analyzers used in chemical plants and labs (e.g., FTIR, Raman spectroscopy)
Technical Data Analysis (TDA)Statistical analysis software (e.g., SAS, SPSS, R) for data interpretation and modeling
Supply BulletinsInventory management software (e.g., Fishbowl Inventory, NetSuite)
Roll and Strip Chart RecordersData acquisition systems (DAQ) and digital chart recorders used in process monitoring

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