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43MX Career Guide

Air Force

43MX: Medical Entomologist

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

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Specialist

$78K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

OSHA certificationsHAZWOPER certification

Entomologist

$75K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specialized knowledge in a particular insect family or orderAdvanced degrees (MS or PhD) may be required for research positions

Pest Control Manager

$65K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

State-specific pest control certificationsBusiness management skills

Public Health Officer

$77K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Master of Public Health (MPH)Epidemiology knowledge

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

$85K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of FDA, EPA, or USDA regulationsTechnical writingProject management

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

System Modeling

You create predictive models of vector-borne disease outbreaks based on environmental factors, vector populations, and historical data to anticipate and mitigate risks to personnel and equipment.

You can analyze complex systems, identify key variables, and build predictive models to forecast trends and outcomes in various operational environments.

Resource Optimization

You strategically allocate resources (personnel, equipment, pesticides) for vector control programs to maximize effectiveness while minimizing environmental impact and cost.

You are adept at efficiently managing resources to achieve optimal outcomes within budgetary and environmental constraints.

Situational Awareness

You maintain a constant awareness of environmental conditions, disease prevalence, and operational requirements to adapt vector control strategies to dynamic and evolving threats.

You are highly perceptive and can quickly assess complex situations, identify potential risks, and adapt your approach accordingly.

Adversarial Thinking

You anticipate how vectors and pests might adapt to control measures, proactively developing countermeasures to maintain effectiveness and prevent resistance.

You are skilled at anticipating potential challenges, identifying vulnerabilities, and developing proactive strategies to mitigate risks.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Manager

SOC 11-9199.00

You've been responsible for safeguarding personnel from vector-borne diseases and environmental hazards. As an EHS Manager, you'll leverage your expertise to ensure workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and environmental protection in a variety of industries.

Epidemiological Modeler

SOC 15-2041.01

You've built predictive models for disease outbreaks, and can apply those skills to model the spread of diseases using statistical software and data analysis techniques. Your knowledge will be highly valuable in public health organizations or research institutions.

Sustainability Consultant

SOC 13-1199.08

You've implemented integrated pest management plans with a focus on environmental stewardship, and are well-versed in balancing operational needs with environmental considerations. As a Sustainability Consultant, you'll advise organizations on reducing their environmental footprint and achieving sustainability goals.

Biosecurity Specialist

SOC 19-4099.00

Your experience in disease vector surveillance and control translates directly to biosecurity, where you'll develop and implement plans to protect agricultural or natural resources from invasive species and disease outbreaks. You’ll find your skills are highly valued in this emerging field.

Training & Education Equivalencies

USUHS, Masters of Science in Entomology, Bethesda, MD

2,400 training hours104 weeksUp to 30 graduate level semester hours recommended

Topics Covered

  • Medical Entomology
  • Vector-borne Disease
  • Pest Management
  • Toxicology
  • Environmental Health
  • Statistics
  • Research Methods

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

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

While the AFSC 43MX provides significant experience in pest management and environmental health, the REHS/RS exam requires in-depth knowledge of food safety, water quality, waste management, and other areas not explicitly covered in the military role. Study state and local regulations.

Certified Professional in Pest Control (CPPC)70% covered

The 43MX role provides a strong foundation in pest management. However, the CPPC requires knowledge of specific application techniques, safety protocols, and regulatory compliance relevant to commercial and residential pest control, which may need further study.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Safety Professional (CSP)Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or ConstructionProject Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Defense Occupational and Environmental Health Readiness System (DOEHRS)Occupational health and safety management software (e.g., Cority, Intelex)
Armed Forces Pest Management Board (AFPMB) Technical GuidesEPA Pesticide Product Labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
Entomological collection equipment (e.g., CDC light traps, sweep nets)Scientific sampling equipment for insect collection and identification (e.g., BioQuip Products)
Geographic Information System (GIS) software (e.g., ESRI ArcGIS)Geographic Information System (GIS) software (e.g., QGIS, CARTO)
Pest Management Information Analysis System (PMIAS)Pest control management software (e.g., FieldRoutes, PestPac)
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for pesticide application and handlingOSHA-compliant PPE for chemical handling and application
Vector disease diagnostic assays (e.g., ELISA, PCR)Commercial diagnostic assays for vector-borne pathogens (e.g., IDEXX)

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