Environmental Health and Safety Specialists (Enlisted)
Opportunities
Environmental health and safety specialists protect the military community through programs to ensure that military facilities and food supplies are free of disease, germs, and other hazardous conditions. These specialists identify occupational and environmental health hazards and risks that may negatively impact health, human performance, and environmental health quality. They manage programs related to communicable disease control and prevention, food safety and defense, sanitary compliance, occupational health and safety, hazardous material control, and public health contingency response. They also assess Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear safety.
Training Provided
Job training for environmental health and safety specialists consists of classroom and on-the-job instruction, including practice in making health and sanitation inspections.
- Identification and mitigation of health hazards
- Inspection of food products and food service operations
- Fire prevention
- Occupational health and hygiene programs
- Emergency medical techniques
- Accident prevention programs
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.
Earnings
Military pay and benefits are set by Congress, which normally grants a cost-of-living pay increase once each year. All members of the military receive "basic pay," which is the largest component of a member's pay. A member's grade (usually the same as rank) and years of service determines the amount of basic pay received. Enlisted members can progress through nine enlisted pay grades during their careers. In 2023, most enlisted personnel started as recruits at Grade E-1 ($23,011/year basic pay); however, those with special skills or above average education started as high as Grade E-4 ($30,042/year basic pay). In addition to pay, the military provides many of life's necessities, such as food, clothing, and housing, or pays allowances for them. Other benefits include health care, 30 days paid vacation, legal assistance, recreational programs, education assistance, and military store privileges.
Services offering this occupation
Air Force
Army
Coast Guard
Marine Corps
Navy