Military Career in Science?

High school junior here interested in military and LOVE science. Any advice on military branches that have good opportunities for science-related careers?

That's an excellent question, and I admire your interest in both science and serving in the military.

All branches of the military have opportunities for individuals interested in science. The science-related careers available to you depend on your particular field of interest in science such as physical sciences, life sciences, or computer and data science.

1) The Navy has the Naval Research Laboratory which conducts a broad program of scientific research, technology and advanced development. They have sections focusing on different sciences including chemistry, physics, and even space science!

2) The Air Force has a lot of positions for those interested in sciences. For example, meteorology, bioenvironmental engineering, or even geospatial intelligence where you'd use satellite imagery and computer algorithms to help inform military operations.

3) The U.S. Army has career paths in fields like lab scientist, microbiology, and nuclear science. They also have an incredible medical research team that does work ranging from treating infectious diseases, to brain injuries and mental health.

4) The Marine Corps leans a little more towards the applied sciences focusing on combat and field related sciences like weather forecasting, earth science for logistics, and avionics or weapons technology.

5) As for Space Force, it concentrates on space operations, intelligence, cyber, and engineering roles. It’s a new branch, and opportunities for science and technology professionals are likely to broaden as it grows.

6) Lastly, the Coast Guard may be a great choice if you are interested in environmental science with their mission in enforcing environmental policy and maritime law.

Bear in mind, these opportunities aren't just open to enlisted service members—they are also open to officers. Each branch has special programs to commission college graduates as officers. ROTC scholarships and the different academies (e.g., Naval Academy, Air Force Academy) can also pave a path into these careers, while potentially helping you earn a degree at reduced costs.

Whichever branch you choose, serving in the military provides an opportunity to do meaningful work in your field of interest while also serving your country. It's important to consider your own career goals and interests, and to talk with recruiters in each branch to help decide which might be the best fit for you.