Physical Scientists

Background

The military conducts physical sciences research to develop new technologies, materials, and equipment for use in a variety of areas including, medicine and engineering. They also study physical characteristics of the atmosphere and environment to support military operations. Physical scientists may be involved in building new weapons systems, developing weather forecasts, or evaluating the effects of biological and chemical agents. Physical scientists conduct and manage research in fields such as chemistry, physics, meteorology, and oceanography.

What They Do

Physical scientists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

Analyze and evaluate scientific data
Analyze strength, flexibility, weight, and properties of various types of materials
Conduct research in their specialty area
Conduct research on the effects of water and atmosphere on military warning and weapons systems
Manage laboratories or field staff to conduct experiments
Plan and conduct experiments in aerodynamics, optics, geophysics, biophysics, and astrophysics
Teach/train other military personnel

Physical Demands

No information available.

Special Requirements

A four-year college degree specific to the individual's area of focus is required to enter this career.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

Interest in collecting and analyzing data
Interest in scientific and technical work

Helpful School Subjects

No information available.

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

Work Environment

Physical scientists in the military work in a variety of settings both indoors and outdoors depending on the area of specialization. Many physical scientists perform their work primarily in laboratories or offices. Other physical scientists spend extensive hours outdoors collecting and analyzing data in the field. Although they observe strict safety precautions, some physical scientists may be exposed to hazardous substances.

Services offering this career:

Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for officers.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

In general, no initial job training is provided to officers in this career. In some cases, additional military training may be provided depending upon the specialty area.

Civilian Counterparts

Physical scientists are widely employed within the civilian workforce and enjoy a diverse set of opportunities within the federal government and the private sector. The federal government employs many physical scientists to conduct research on weather patterns, ground water supply, and a host of others issues directly impacting our way of life. Additionally, the private sector relies on physical scientists to develop new fuel sources (such as nuclear and solar energy) or medical applications. Depending on their specialty, civilian physical scientists may be called meteorologists, oceanographers, chemists, or physicists.

Related Civilian Careers

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 2,000 physical scientists. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new scientists due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. New officers may work as part of research teams. With experience, they may lead research projects of their own. After demonstrating leadership abilities, they may advance to senior management positions in a variety of scientific fields.