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43M3 Career Guide

Air Force

43M3: Medical Entomologist

Career transition guide for Air Force Medical Entomologist (43M3)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 43M3 veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Entomologist

$78K
High matchStable demand

Environmental Scientist

$76K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of EPA regulationsEnvironmental Impact Assessments

Pest Control Manager

$65K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

State-specific pest control certifications

Public Health Sanitarian

$72K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Certified in Public Health (CPH) credentialUnderstanding of local public health codes

Industrial Hygienist

$85K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) certificationKnowledge of OSHA regulations

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 43M3 training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

You create models of disease vector populations and their environments to predict outbreaks and the effectiveness of control measures.

You can develop and use models to understand complex systems and predict outcomes, which is valuable in many fields.

Resource Optimization

You manage resources effectively to ensure pest and vector control programs are cost-effective and environmentally sound.

You are skilled at allocating resources efficiently to achieve the best results within constraints.

Situational Awareness

You maintain awareness of environmental conditions, disease prevalence, and operational requirements to make informed decisions about pest and vector control.

You can quickly assess situations, understand the relevant factors, and make sound judgments.

After-Action Analysis

You evaluate the effectiveness of pest and vector control programs and use the results to improve future operations.

You are skilled at analyzing past performance, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing changes to achieve better outcomes.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Environmental Risk Assessor

SOC 19-4099.01

You've been assessing environmental impacts and developing mitigation strategies for years. Your skills in identifying and managing environmental risks translate directly to this role, where you'll evaluate potential hazards and develop plans to minimize their impact.

Public Health Consultant

SOC 13-1111.00

Your experience in disease vector surveillance and control makes you an ideal candidate. You've been protecting populations from vector-borne diseases, and you can apply that expertise to help communities improve public health outcomes through consulting and advising.

Sustainability Manager

SOC 11-9199.00

You've managed integrated pest management programs and consulted on environmental matters, demonstrating your understanding of sustainable practices. You can leverage your knowledge to develop and implement sustainability initiatives for organizations, ensuring they operate in an environmentally responsible manner.

Biosecurity Specialist

SOC 19-4011.03

You've been working with hazardous plants and animals, managing the risks they pose to human health and the environment. You can use your expertise to develop and implement biosecurity protocols for agricultural or research facilities, protecting them from biological threats.

Training & Education Equivalencies

USUHS Graduate Education Program, Bethesda, MD

4,800 training hours104 weeksUp to 30 graduate-level semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Medical Entomology
  • Vector-Borne Disease Prevention
  • Pest Management
  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  • Research Methodology
  • Data Analysis and Interpretation

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Professional in Pest Management (CPPM)70% covered

Requires study of specific state and federal regulations, advanced pest identification beyond medically important species, and business management principles relevant to pest control companies.

Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian (REHS/RS)60% covered

Requires knowledge of food safety, water quality, waste management, and other broad environmental health topics not covered in depth by medical entomology. Also, requires familiarity with local and state health codes.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Associate Safety Professional (ASP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB) Technical GuidesEPA Pesticide Product Label System, CDC Vector Control Resources
Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System - Industrial Hygiene (DOEHRS-IH)Industrial hygiene software for exposure assessment and compliance (e.g., Galson Sapphire, VelocityEHS)
Entomological Collection NetSweep nets for insect collection
CDC Light TrapsInsect light traps (e.g., BioLite, Gardner)
USAF Integrated Pest Management ProgramCommercial Integrated Pest Management Programs (e.g., Ecolab, Orkin)
Global Positioning System (GPS) for disease vector surveillanceGeographic Information System (GIS) software for mapping and analysis (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
Pest Management Certification ProgramCommercial Pesticide Applicator Certification Programs

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