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51G Career Guide

Army

51G: Geospatial Engineer

Career transition guide for Army Geospatial Engineer (51G)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 51G veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Civil Engineer

$88K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Professional Engineer (PE) licenseCivil Engineering degree

Construction Materials Testing Technician

$55K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

American Concrete Institute (ACI) certificationNational Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) certification

Environmental Engineering Technician

$58K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

OSHA HAZWOPER certificationData analysis software proficiency

Construction Manager

$98K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationConstruction management software (e.g., Procore)

Geotechnical Engineer

$92K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Advanced geotechnical analysis softwareMaster's degree in Geotechnical EngineeringProfessional Engineer (PE) license

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 51G training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

As a 51G, you managed resources for construction projects, ensuring materials, equipment, and personnel were used efficiently to meet deadlines and stay within budget.

This translates to a strong ability to allocate and manage resources effectively, a skill highly valued in project management and operations roles where maximizing efficiency is crucial.

Team Synchronization

You supervised and coordinated teams across various construction and engineering tasks, ensuring everyone worked together seamlessly to achieve project goals.

Your experience in synchronizing teams demonstrates your leadership and ability to foster collaboration, essential for management roles in any industry.

Procedural Compliance

Following strict protocols for soil and material testing, you ensured all projects met safety and quality standards.

This highlights your attention to detail and commitment to following established procedures, which is valuable in fields requiring strict adherence to regulations and standards, such as quality assurance and compliance.

Situational Awareness

You maintained awareness of site conditions, potential hazards, and ongoing activities to ensure the safety and efficiency of construction projects.

Your ability to maintain situational awareness translates to strong risk assessment and problem-solving skills, making you well-suited for roles requiring quick thinking and adaptability in dynamic environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Construction Estimator

SOC 13-1051.00

You've been managing resources and understanding the intricacies of construction projects, giving you a strong foundation to accurately estimate costs and materials needed for civilian projects. Your hands-on experience provides a practical edge in assessing project requirements.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

You're accustomed to enforcing strict protocols and ensuring projects meet safety and quality standards. This experience makes you well-equipped to ensure companies adhere to regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

You've optimized resources, coordinated teams, and maintained situational awareness on construction sites. This translates directly to logistics, where you can efficiently manage the flow of goods and materials to meet project deadlines.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Geospatial Engineer Course, Fort Leonard Wood, MO

280 training hours7 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in Civil Engineering Technology or Construction Management

Topics Covered

  • Soil Classification and Testing
  • Construction Materials Testing (Concrete, Asphalt)
  • Surveying Principles and Techniques
  • Blueprint Reading and Interpretation
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Fundamentals
  • Data Collection and Analysis
  • Quality Control Procedures
  • Site Development Planning

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Construction Materials Testing Technician (various levels by organizations like NICET or ACI)70% covered

Specific code requirements, local material specifications, and advanced testing methodologies for specialized materials.

OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety50% covered

In-depth knowledge of all OSHA construction standards, specific state regulations, and advanced safety management techniques.

Recommended Next Certifications

Professional Engineer (PE) in Civil EngineeringProject Management Professional (PMP)Certified Construction Manager (CCM)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)Civilian LiDAR scanning systems for surveying and mapping
Total StationsRobotic total stations for construction and land surveying
Global Positioning System (GPS) Surveying EquipmentHigh-precision GPS/GNSS receivers for surveying
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)GPR systems for subsurface utility detection and geological surveys
Soil Testing Equipment (e.g., Proctor Compaction Test, Atterberg Limits Test)Geotechnical testing equipment for soil analysis in civil engineering
Concrete Testing Equipment (e.g., Compression Testing Machine)Concrete testing equipment for quality control in construction
ArcGISEsri ArcGIS suite for Geographic Information System (GIS)

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