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Military Meteorological Specialists

Military Career

General Information

Description

Meteorological specialists predict the weather and study the causes of particular weather conditions using information obtained from the land, sea, and upper atmosphere. They use the latest forecast technology to predict severe weather-- tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, strong winds, and excessive heat and cold.

Work Environment

Meteorological specialists usually work in offices either on land or aboard ships. They work outdoors when making visual weather observations and launching weather balloons.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Comparable Industries

  • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Related Military Careers

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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Meteorological Specialists in the Military

2,476

No Information for this section

Salary

Average Salary

$55,934

What makes up a military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 50%
  • Master's degree 30%
  • Doctoral degree 15%
  • Some college 5%
  • High school 0%
  • Associate's degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Meteorological specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include: Basic meteorology (study of weather) and oceanography (study of the ocean)Methods for plotting weather dataAnalysis of radar and satellite weather informationPreparation of weather reports

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Military training

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All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Meteorological specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Basic meteorology (study of weather) and oceanography (study of the ocean)
  • Methods for plotting weather data
  • Analysis of radar and satellite weather information
  • Preparation of weather reports

Knowledge

  • Geography
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Computers and Electronics
  • English Language

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
No Information for this section

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.