What military job options are there for economics majors?

I'm thinking about majoring in economics in college but also want to explore military careers. What job opportunities are available in the military for someone with a background in economics?

The military offers a wide array of opportunities that are suitable for economics majors. Though you won't find exact job titles that correspond to "economist," the skills you acquire in your studies can be transferred to many roles. Here are a few options:

1. Financial Management Officer (e.g., in the U.S. Army, the 36A MOS): A financial management officer is responsible for budgeting, disbursing, and accounting for government funds. This involves creating fiscal strategies, developing budgeting procedures, and monitoring costs. Your grasp of fiscal systems from your economics degree would certainly be useful in this role.

2. Intelligence Analyst: Your understanding of economics can help in interpreting international economic trends, assessing potential contractions or expansions in the market, or understanding political strategies based on economic resources. Also, you'd be working on product development and strategic communication - skills gained from economics studies.

3. Supply and Logistics: The military, similar to many large organizations, has a complex supply chain that needs planning, coordinating, and forecasting. Knowledge of factors influencing demand or supply are crucial here.

4. Human resources/ Personnel Management: An economics background can be useful in designing pay structures or other incentive schemes, forecasting attrition rates, or dealing with recruitment strategies.

5. Operations Research Analyst: These roles involve the use of mathematical models and statistical analysis to assist in decision making. Your economics training could provide valuable insights when building or interpreting these models.

Remember, even if you go directly into the military from high school, you can take advantage of the G.I. Bill to pay for your college education later, possibly extending your career options in the military or beyond once you graduate with your economics degree. Just make sure to discuss with a military recruiter to confirm what roles would be available to you and what the requirements are for each one.