Military Jobs for Economics Majors: What Are My Options?

I'm interested in pursuing an economics major in college. I'd like to know if there are military roles where an economics background would be beneficial. Any advice on what to look for?

While many people associate the military with roles primarily focused on physical combat, the truth is that the military employs individuals with a wide range of specialties, and that absolutely includes economics. The United States military has substantial need for people with a grasp of economics for several reasons, including strategizing, budgeting, and making sound financial decisions. Here are few roles where an economics background would be beneficial:

1. Standout roles in the Army include a Financial Manager who oversees budgeting, disbursement, and the accountability of public funds. Also, they have Army Economists who perform economic analysis and economic research on military issues. These roles require a strong knowledge of economics and finance.

2. The Navy also employs financial analysts and economists in its Office of Financial Operations. These analysts work to create and manage budgets, conduct cost analyses, and work on policy reviews.

3. In the Air Force, the role of a Financial Management Officer involves budgeting, cost analysis, financial analysis, and accounting, which are all places where a strong understanding of economics is highly beneficial.

4. The Coast Guard employs financial managers, too, to oversee budgeting and auditing processes, again, economics knowledge only aids in better decision making and efficient use of resources.

Some economics majors even find their way into intelligence, using their understanding of economics to analyze and predict the actions of foreign governments or organizations. Understanding economics can also be beneficial for Logistical Officers, who are responsible for the movement, distribution, and storage of military equipment and personnel.

Bear in mind too, that serving in the military provides other benefits that can be especially beneficial for economics majors, such as opportunities to earn a graduate degree while serving, or the GI Bill, which can pay for graduate school after your service has ended.

It's always best to talk with a military recruiter to fully understand what opportunities might be available to you with an economics degree. They can provide a more detailed picture of your potential career paths and help you identify programs and roles that might appeal to you.