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91T Career Guide

Army

91T: Animal Care Specialist

Career transition guide for Army Animal Care Specialist (91T)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 91T veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Veterinary Technician

$38K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) certificationState-specific veterinary technician licensure

Animal Care and Service Worker

$32K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Customer serviceAnimal behavior knowledge

Laboratory Animal Caretaker

$35K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

ALAT (Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician) certificationAALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science) certification

Zookeeper

$48K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Zoology or related fieldSpecialized knowledge of exotic animal careExperience in wildlife conservation

First-Line Supervisor of Animal Care Workers

$55K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Stronger budgeting and administrative skillsAdvanced personnel management trainingProficiency in civilian HR practices

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 91T training built — and where they transfer.

Procedural Compliance

This role demands strict adherence to veterinary regulations, animal care protocols, and safety procedures. You are responsible for ensuring that all activities, from administering medication to maintaining sanitary conditions, comply with established guidelines and legal requirements.

Your commitment to following procedures translates directly into ensuring quality, safety, and regulatory adherence in civilian settings. This is highly valued in industries where precision and consistency are paramount.

Rapid Prioritization

You are often required to quickly assess and prioritize the needs of multiple animals, especially in emergency situations. You must determine which animals require immediate attention, allocate resources effectively, and make critical decisions under pressure.

Your ability to rapidly assess and prioritize needs makes you invaluable in fast-paced civilian environments. You can quickly identify the most critical tasks, allocate resources effectively, and make sound decisions under pressure.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for managing and optimizing resources within the veterinary facility, including supplies, equipment, and personnel. You must ensure that resources are used efficiently to provide the best possible care for animals while staying within budget constraints.

Your expertise in resource optimization makes you adept at maximizing efficiency and minimizing waste in any organization. You can identify areas for improvement, streamline processes, and ensure that resources are used effectively to achieve organizational goals.

Team Synchronization

You collaborate with veterinarians, other technicians, and support staff to provide comprehensive care for animals. Coordinating efforts, communicating effectively, and working together seamlessly are essential to ensure the well-being of the animals under your care.

Your ability to work effectively in a team environment makes you a valuable asset to any organization. You excel at coordinating efforts, communicating effectively, and collaborating with others to achieve common goals.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Compliance Officer

SOC 13-1041

You've been immersed in environments demanding strict procedural compliance, especially regarding animal welfare and veterinary regulations. This makes you an ideal candidate to ensure companies adhere to industry standards and legal requirements, reducing risks and maintaining operational integrity.

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 29-1129.05

You've developed a keen sense of rapid prioritization and resource management in high-pressure situations, especially concerning the health and safety of animals. This experience translates perfectly to planning and coordinating responses to emergencies, ensuring the safety and well-being of people and assets.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 43-3071

You've honed your resource optimization skills by managing supplies, equipment, and personnel within veterinary facilities. This makes you well-suited to oversee the efficient flow of goods and services in a supply chain, ensuring timely delivery and cost-effectiveness.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Veterinary Food Inspection Specialist Course, Fort Sam Houston, TX

560 training hours14 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Veterinary Technology

Topics Covered

  • Animal restraint and handling techniques
  • Veterinary medical terminology
  • Surgical assisting procedures
  • Pharmacy procedures and pharmacology
  • Clinical laboratory procedures (hematology, urinalysis, parasitology)
  • Radiology and diagnostic imaging
  • Animal disease prevention and control
  • Veterinary facility sanitation and maintenance

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT)70% covered

While the military provides extensive training in animal care, treatment, and surgical assistance, formal civilian certification often requires passing a standardized exam covering specific topics. Study any differences in terminology, pharmacology, and regional disease prevalence.

Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT)75% covered

This role provides the animal husbandry and research support components. You would need to study the formal ALAT certification domains like regulations, ethics and compliance to fill the gaps.

Recommended Next Certifications

Veterinary Practice Management Certification (VPMA)Certified Animal Manager (CAM)Certified in the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (CCULA)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Tactical Medical Information System (TMIS)Electronic Veterinary Records (EVR) software
Defense Medical Logistics Standard Support (DMLSS)Veterinary practice management software with inventory modules
Tri-Service Food CodeFDA Food Code, USDA regulations
Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF) equipment (e.g., portable X-ray, ultrasound)Veterinary-specific diagnostic imaging equipment
Global Veterinary Services Support (GVSS)Global animal health monitoring and reporting systems
Army Veterinary Corps Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) standards, Veterinary practice protocols
Synchronized Predeployment and Operational Tracker (SPOT)Personnel tracking and accountability software

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