Are There Archaeology Jobs with the Military?

I'm passionate about archaeology and wondering if there are any opportunities to work in this field within the military. Does anyone know of roles that involve archaeology skills?

Absolutely, there are roles within the military where archaeology skills are beneficial. The majority of these roles are related to Cultural Resource Management (CRM) and Historic Preservation duties.

For instance, the U.S. Army Environmental Command (AEC) often employs individuals with archaeological backgrounds to support CRM work on army bases. This can involve conducting surveys of historical sites, ensuring compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, or working on projects that minimize the impacts of military activities on such areas.

Similarly, the U.S. Navy has a Cultural Resources Program within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC). Archaeologists working here typically manage, protect, and preserve the Navy's significant cultural resources.

In addition, there are opportunities within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who often carry out large construction projects requiring archaeological reviews to minimize impact on significant historical and cultural sites.

Finally, there are roles within the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA). The DPAA's mission is to recover service members who are still missing from past conflicts. Archaeologists here are part of the teams responsible for excavating sites around the world in search of remains of missing personnel.

Keep in mind that while these roles may not involve traditional archaeological duties like you might find in an academic or museum setting, they still utilize critical skills such as site surveying, cultural heritage management, fieldwork experience, and detailed report writing. Additionally, a Master's degree is often preferred, if not required, for these types of positions.