Posted on Jan 28, 2020
What are the normal responsibilities of a 72D? What are the advantages of going active duty?
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To provide a little background; I have a BS in biochemistry and will have my MPH in OEHS come May 2020. I've held four internships, three of them being heavy IH work (Nuclear remediation, CDC-NIOSH, and Marathon Petroleum). I'm also prior service, E5 USAR 68W. Prior to all that I've worked in low level healthcare roles during undergrad (EMT-B, Pharm Tech).
Question 1: based off of my quick background, do I look competitive enough?
Question 2: What are 'normal' responsibilities as a 72D? It seems to be a mesh of safety/IH/Epi..
Question 3: I'm leaning towards USAR, as I have some meaty offers in the private sector upon graduation, but what are the advantages to active duty?
Question 1: based off of my quick background, do I look competitive enough?
Question 2: What are 'normal' responsibilities as a 72D? It seems to be a mesh of safety/IH/Epi..
Question 3: I'm leaning towards USAR, as I have some meaty offers in the private sector upon graduation, but what are the advantages to active duty?
Posted in these groups: 
72D: Environmental Science and EngineeringIndustrial Hygienist
72D: Environmental Science and EngineeringIndustrial Hygienist
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 2
Speaking as a Preventive Medicine NCO for the Reserves I can tell you this:
1) Yes, you are looking competitive. There are not a whole lot of 72Ds in the Reserves. In fact, the AMEDD might drool over your packet...especially if you go Reserves.
2) Normal responsibilities are as follows: Being the SME in regards to IH/OH/Environmental Safety, etc. You would serve as the Adviser to the BN/BDE Commander in those regards when serving on a staff. You could also serve as a Commander of a Preventive Medicine Detachment (both Active and Reserve)
3) The only real advantages I could see about being a 72D on Active is you do it every day and Active Duty pay.
1) Yes, you are looking competitive. There are not a whole lot of 72Ds in the Reserves. In fact, the AMEDD might drool over your packet...especially if you go Reserves.
2) Normal responsibilities are as follows: Being the SME in regards to IH/OH/Environmental Safety, etc. You would serve as the Adviser to the BN/BDE Commander in those regards when serving on a staff. You could also serve as a Commander of a Preventive Medicine Detachment (both Active and Reserve)
3) The only real advantages I could see about being a 72D on Active is you do it every day and Active Duty pay.
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SGT (Join to see)
Thank you, SFC. I'm curious about PMDs, what kind of missions do they run? Deployments? I've only ever experienced an engineering battalion and an MCD as a whiskey.
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MSG (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) - Preventive Medicine Detachments can deploy pretty much where ever Soldiers are. We could either deploy as a unit or get piece mealed to other units for a mission. There are also lots of ODT missions for PM troops. There is a medical rotation staffed by Reserve medical units that go down to Honduras (I went there in 2018). For ATs, we could either be part of the training audience conducting "scenario based" PM missions...or we could perform real world PM work at ATs......or both (which is always a gas <insert eye roll>). We are 13 person deep. The slots are for a Commander, a MAJ slot for 72D. XO, a CPT Entomologist slot, 1 SFC slot, 3 SSG slots, 3 SGT slots, 3 SPC slots and 1 Mechanic slot. We also provide Field Sanitation Team training. We run everything from Food Sanitation Inspections of DFACs and other eating establishments, to sanitation inspections of latrines and shower trailers.
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CPT (Join to see)
I am a ESO in the NG. There are ups and downs like any position.
It is definitely a competitive field. In know there used to be a ton of emphasis on GPA, which amounts to didly. The fact that you have real world experience will serve you well. I was able to come in as a O2 because of experience and professional credentials. You do however have to be your own advocate. There has been an issue with a lot of ESOs not being deployment ready, so much so that AD ESOs had to fly all of Iraq training reservists to bring them up to speed. This issue varies from unit to unit but its enough to know you need to manage you own training and education requirements. And the Big Army has been taking steps to make sure all Reservists are getting the training they need.
The PM detachments would definitely be a good way to go. You can also look into working with Civil Affairs. They have a lot of interesting missions that can and do include ESOs. There are even ESO positions within the NG. But it shows you what you can be doing. Its not always high speed and can be nasty, but you will never be bored.
It is definitely a competitive field. In know there used to be a ton of emphasis on GPA, which amounts to didly. The fact that you have real world experience will serve you well. I was able to come in as a O2 because of experience and professional credentials. You do however have to be your own advocate. There has been an issue with a lot of ESOs not being deployment ready, so much so that AD ESOs had to fly all of Iraq training reservists to bring them up to speed. This issue varies from unit to unit but its enough to know you need to manage you own training and education requirements. And the Big Army has been taking steps to make sure all Reservists are getting the training they need.
The PM detachments would definitely be a good way to go. You can also look into working with Civil Affairs. They have a lot of interesting missions that can and do include ESOs. There are even ESO positions within the NG. But it shows you what you can be doing. Its not always high speed and can be nasty, but you will never be bored.
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SGT (Join to see)
Currently in the process of dropping my packet. Everything is on hold though at the moment. My AMEDD recruiter is waiting to see if there will even be a board for 72D this fiscal year or whatever.
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1LT (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) Ahhhh that's no bueno! I'm about halfway complete with my package as well... I hope they have 72D boards!! I don't want to put this off til next year. :-(
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