How to Become a Military Contractor?

After high school, I'd like to explore becoming a military contractor. What steps do I need to take? Are there specific qualifications or certifications required for this career path?

Becoming a military contractor usually involves a few key steps, although the exact process may vary depending on the specific area you're interested in and on the requirements set forth by a particular government agency. Here's a general guideline of the steps you might take:

1. Obtain Relevant Education-

While not always necessary depending on the field, having a degree can open up more opportunities. This could be in areas like computer science, engineering, international relations, or other fields relevant to private military contracting.

2. Gain Experience-

Often, military contractors have extensive experience in a related field. This could be military service, law enforcement, engineering, or information technology, among others. The exact experience required will rely heavily on the type of contracting work you're hoping to do.

3. Receive Necessary Certifications-

Depending on your area of focus, you may need specific certifications. For instance, if you’re looking at roles relating to IT or cybersecurity, certain specialized certifications can prove your skill and competency. Having these additional qualifications on top of the required skills can make your application more attractive to prospective employers.

4. Apply to Contractor Positions-

Contracting jobs can often be found on job boards, company websites, or government websites. This particular career path prioritizes skills, experience, and qualifications over common hiring conventions, so take time to illustrate these elements in your applications.

5. Obtain Security Clearance-

For most contractor positions, you'll likely need security clearance. This often involves a rigorous background check that could take several months. Your prospective employer will typically initiate this once you've received a conditional offer.

6. Continuous Learning-

The landscape of military contracting is continually evolving, so staying current with industry changes and new certifications in your area of specialization can help sustain career stability and growth.

For example, if you're interested in defense contracting, you might work for a company that manufactures equipment for the military. In this case, a background in engineering could be extremely beneficial. If, on the other hand, you're interested in security contracting, previous military or law enforcement experience would be particularly helpful.

Bear in mind that military contractors are held to the same standards as military personnel while on assignment, which could include physical fitness standards and conduct guidelines. So, physical conditioning and a clean record might be necessary depending on the specifics of the role.

Remember, every path will be unique depending on your personal circumstances and career aspirations. You should seek personalized advice from a career counselor or a professional in the field to better navigate your specific situation.