Target the world’s insects and arthropods with an exotic job Entomology

Medical journals are full of articles about casualties resulting from insect- and arthropod-borne diseases, casualties that could have been prevented. Since World War II, Navy Entomologists have been called on to support operational campaigns, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, dramatically reducing vector-borne diseases.

As a Navy Entomologist, you could help reduce the local cases of malaria and dengue fever in Central America. Or, you could collect samples and monitor the well-being of the USNS Mercy crew as it completes a four-month humanitarian mission in the Pacific. No matter where you go, you’ll be helping protect the health of servicemembers and people across the globe.

Job Description

As an Officer in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you’ll plan, direct and participate in operational, consultative, training, quarantine and research programs for infestation prevention and arthropod pest control.

Navy Entomologists fill a variety of research, support and training positions worldwide. You could find yourself working at the Navy Entomology Center of Excellence in Jacksonville, Florida, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, or Navy Infectious Diseases Laboratories in Indonesia, Egypt and Peru … and beyond.

Specific Responsibilities

Navy Entomologists may be called upon to:

  • Assess and reduce disease risk using innovative surveillance and control techniques
  • Develop and implement comprehensive disease- and pest-control programs
  • Provide professional consultation and guidance for contingency, disaster relief or humanitarian operations
  • Conduct research on vector-borne diseases, including the physiology, bionomics and taxonomy of medically important arthropods
  • Provide instruction to civilian and military personnel
  • Assist in the development and/or evaluation of pesticides, equipment and techniques

Work Environment

As a Navy Health Care Specialist, you may serve at any one of more than 250 Navy and medical facilities around the globe, in some of the most dynamic environments imaginable. From Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and Washington, D.C., to Washington state.

You could work at one of the highly acclaimed National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, Maryland; Portsmouth, Virginia; and San Diego, California. Or, you could provide medical support to deployed troops aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships: the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy.

Still more health-care opportunities are available stateside and abroad in a variety of settings: On board a surface ship, working closely with a nearby aircraft squadron, or even with the Fleet Marine Force.

Or you could conduct research at any one of dozens of Navy hospitals, anywhere from Okinawa, Japan, to Naples, Italy, to Rota, Spain. Or at Navy medical clinics anywhere from London, England, to Kaneohe, Hawaii.

No matter where you serve, you’ll provide leadership and expertise to support your country, in support of the men and women who defend it, and the world at large.

Education Opportunities

Wherever you are in your professional career, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous financial assistance and continuing education programs.

Graduate Students

Navy Health Services Collegiate Program (HSCP) – Graduate students may receive up to $134,600 while finishing a degree. This amount includes a generous monthly salary and housing allowance ranging from $3,280 to $5,610 for up to 24 months.*

Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Officer Recruiter contact you.

*Navy HSCP housing allowance based on graduate school location. Increased offer amounts available in areas with a higher cost of living.

Practicing Professionals

There's an alternative to spending years paying down the cost of your graduate education. If you're currently a practicing professional, you could potentially be eligible to receive financial assistance through the Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP). Talk to a Navy Officer Recruiter for more information.

Offers have many variables. To get information and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Officer Recruiter contact you.

Qualifications

To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration as an Entomologist in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S. (contact a
    Navy Medical Recruiter for details)
  • Master’s or doctoral degree in entomology or closely related field in which your coursework had an emphasis on entomology
  • Graduate degree must be in-residence (i.e., not online) and must include a thesis
  • GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale in graduate study, and a 3.5 or higher in entomology coursework
  • 30 or more hours of coursework (graduate and undergraduate) in entomology, including medical entomology, pest management, insect taxonomy, insect morphology, immature insects, insect ecology, insect toxicology, insect physiology and statistics
  • Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 41
  • Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination

You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements:

  • Completion of 3–5 hours minimum in: acarology, parasitology, invertebrate zoology, computer science, statistics, epidemiology and environmental health
  • Experience in surveillance and control of arthropod disease vectors

 

After the Navy

In the Navy, you’ll find unrivaled training and educational opportunities. Incomparable benefits and experience. Deeper pride and purpose. And superior career advancement opportunities that will pay off when you return to the civilian world.

Consider Your Service Options.

There are different ways that you can commit to serve in America's Navy. Besides full-time opportunities in Active Duty, part-time Reserve positions are also available in this career area.