United States National Guard

You can play an important part in disaster relief missions as a Geospatial Engineer for the Army National Guard. In this role, you will extract and supply geographic data that supports military operations of all kinds and help commanders visualize the battlefield during combat.

As a Geospatial Engineer, your primary responsibility will be to collect and process military geographic information from decentralized sources (remote sensed imagery, digital data, intelligence data, existing topographic products, and other collateral data sources), present this information to leaders, and return decisions to the field.

You may also:

• Supervise topographic surveying, cartography, and photolithography activities
• Assist in topographic planning and control activities
• Assist in determining requirements and providing technical supervision of geographic intelligence programs

Job Duties

• Create geographic data and compile them into maps
• Create and maintain multiple geospatial databases
• Prepare military-style briefs covering all aspects of the terrain

Some of the Skills You’ll Learn

• Basic knowledge of Geographic Information Systems
• Imagery interpretation and exploitation

Helpful Skills

• Interest in geography, maps, and charts
• Ability to demonstrate basic computer skills and work with drafting equipment
• Conceptualize ideas into computer-generated 2-D/3-D geospatial products
• Preference for a technical career field

Through your training, you will develop the skills and experience to enjoy a civilian career with construction, engineering, and architectural firms, as well as with government agencies as a surveyor, mapmaker, cartographer, cartographic technician, or photogrammetrist.

Earn While You Learn

Instead of paying to learn these skills, get paid to train. In the Army National Guard, you will learn these valuable job skills while earning a regular paycheck and qualifying for tuition assistance.

Job training for a Geospatial Engineer requires 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 20 weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and on-the-job instruction, including practical application of geographic information systems. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field.

Benefits

• Paid training
• A monthly paycheck
• Montgomery GI Bill
• Federal and State tuition assistance
• Retirement benefits for part-time service
• Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage)
• 401(k)-type savings plan
• Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000, for existing loans)
• Health care benefits available
• VA home loans
• Bonuses, if applicable
• Most non-prior service candidates will earn between $200 and $250 per drill weekend, subject to change

Requirements

• Military enlistment in the Army National Guard
• Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate
• Must be between the ages of 17 and 35
• Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards
• Must meet citizenship requirements (see NATIONALGUARD.com for details)

Requires military enlistment. Programs and benefits are subject to change. Ask your Army National Guard recruiter for the most up-to-date information. Actual MOS assignment may depend on MOS availability.

Engineer