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57F Career Guide

Army

57F: Mortuary Affairs Specialist

Career transition guide for Army Mortuary Affairs Specialist (57F)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 57F veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Funeral Director/Mortician

$75K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Embalming certificationFuneral directing license (state-specific)Grief counseling skills

Logistics Manager

$95K
Good matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Supply chain management certification (e.g., CSCP)Experience with specific logistics software (e.g., SAP)Project management skills

Emergency Management Specialist

$80K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

HAZMAT certificationIncident Command System (ICS) trainingDisaster planning experience

Compliance Officer

$70K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of relevant regulations (e.g., OSHA, EPA)Auditing skillsCertification in compliance (e.g., Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional - CCEP)

Human Resources Specialist

$65K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP certificationRecruiting experienceEmployee relations skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 57F training built — and where they transfer.

Rapid Prioritization

Quickly determining the order in which to process deceased personnel based on factors like condition, location, and identification potential under stressful conditions.

Swiftly assessing and ranking tasks or projects based on urgency, importance, and available resources in dynamic environments.

Procedural Compliance

Meticulously following strict protocols and regulations for handling, documenting, and processing deceased personnel to ensure accuracy, respect, and legal compliance.

Adhering to established guidelines, standards, and legal requirements in highly regulated industries or sensitive operations.

Situational Awareness

Maintaining constant awareness of the surrounding environment, including potential hazards, logistical challenges, and security threats, while managing graves registration operations.

Monitoring and interpreting complex situations to anticipate potential problems, adapt strategies, and make informed decisions in fast-paced environments.

Team Synchronization

Coordinating and directing teams of personnel to ensure efficient and respectful handling of deceased individuals, often under emotionally challenging circumstances.

Leading and coordinating diverse teams to achieve common goals, ensuring clear communication, efficient workflow, and emotional support in stressful situations.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071.00

You've been responsible for the dignified handling and movement of personnel under difficult circumstances. As a logistics coordinator, you can leverage those skills to oversee supply chains, manage transportation, and ensure smooth operations.

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041.00

Your experience demands strict adherence to protocols and regulations. As a compliance officer, you'll be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing compliance programs to prevent illegal, unethical, or improper conduct.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161.00

You have experience coordinating sensitive operations. You can use that experience in disaster planning, response coordination, and resource allocation to protect communities during crises.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Mortuary Affairs Specialist Course, Fort Lee, VA

210 training hours5 weeksUp to 3 semester hours recommended in Mortuary Science

Topics Covered

  • Principles of Mortuary Affairs
  • Search and Recovery Operations
  • Personal Effects Management
  • Decedent Affairs Reporting
  • Care and Disposition of Remains
  • Military Funeral Honors
  • Graves Registration Procedures
  • Mass Fatality Operations

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)40% covered

Requires study of advanced medical procedures, pharmacology, and ambulance operations. Additionally, practical skills in patient assessment, airway management, and splinting would need to be demonstrated.

OSHA 30-Hour General Industry60% covered

Needs supplemental training on specific OSHA regulations related to general industry standards, hazard communication, and machine guarding.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP)Certified Cemetery and Funeral Sales Professional (CCFSP)Project Management Professional (PMP)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Joint Mortuary Affairs Tracking System (JMATS)Inventory management and tracking software for sensitive items (e.g., healthcare, pharmaceuticals, high-value assets)
Defense DNA RegistryCommercial DNA identification and database systems (e.g., used in forensics, genealogy)
Automated Decedent Affairs System (ADAS)Case management systems for funeral homes and mortuary services
Cold Chain Management SystemTemperature controlled storage and logistics for perishable goods (e.g., pharmaceutical, food distribution)
Portable Morgue Units (PMU)Mobile refrigeration units for temporary storage of deceased individuals (e.g., disaster response, medical examiner use)
Government Transportation Request (GTR) SystemCorporate travel booking and expense management systems (e.g., Concur, Egencia)

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