Why Emergency Management Is a Good Career for Transitioning Veterans

There often comes a pivotal juncture in a professional career, particularly within military service, when individuals feel as though life is passing by. During the transition from military to civilian life, this moment can inspire deep reflection on the future and a deliberate consideration of steps to take. For many service members, this transition can be particularly challenging. They have been trained in a specialized skill set and now must determine how to effectively apply those skills in civilian employment.

Approximately 200,000 veterans each year grapple with how to identify a profession that effectively leverages their military training, experience, and education with programs like the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), VA Work-Study Program, USO Transition Services and many others.  However, for members trained for a highly specialized role, such as for the United States Army Infantry, identifying a niche field where these abilities are applicable can be difficult. A common consideration is civil service careers such as law enforcement, firefighting, or similar paths. These roles appear to be a logical transition, given their alignment with public service and structured operations.

However, when career opportunities do not materialize as expected, the outlook can quickly become disheartening. One often overlooked pathway, however, is emergency management, which offers continuity with the values and purpose service members upheld in uniform. When asked why they chose to enlist, many veterans have a desire to serve their country or fulfill a higher calling. This same motivation may draw them to emergency management, a field that echoes the principles of service, duty, and collective responsibility.

Many veterans also seek a sense of esprit de corps, camaraderie, and mutual trust they experienced in the military. This search for meaningful connection and shared mission is not unique to emergency management; it also can be found in police departments, fire services, and other public service sectors that embrace a higher purpose.

Operational Discipline and Command Structure

There are strong similarities between military service and emergency management. Both environments are characterized by a structured hierarchy, in which each role is delineated, contributing to effective mission or incident planning. As in military operations, emergency management relies on pre-defined roles and responsibilities to guide actions under pressure. For example, military mission-planning involves designating strategic objectives and preparing for rapidly evolving conditions, often under extreme stress. This parallels the structure of emergency response operations, in which command systems, such as the Incident Command System, define roles and ensure coordinated efforts.

The tactical operations center used in military settings resembles the emergency operations center used in civil disaster response. Each is organized to facilitate coordination, communication, and real-time decision-making. In both settings, sections such as Logistics, Communications, and Command work in tandem with supporting agencies to ensure mission success. The familiarity of this structure can make the transition into emergency management smoother for veterans, as the operational environment closely resembles what they have already experienced.

Organizational Leadership

Military training instills a high degree of situational awareness, preparing individuals to respond to unforeseen developments during both combat and training scenarios. Military leaders are conditioned to adjust plans on the fly to ensure mission continuity and personnel safety. This skill translates seamlessly into emergency management, where incidents unfold quickly, and leaders must respond with urgency, clarity, and composure. However, it is essential to note that, although skills align, civilian certifications may be required to adapt military skills to the civilian workforce.

Veterans can thrive in these environments because they have been conditioned to lead and adapt in high-stakes situations. Their ability to remain composed and decisive under pressure makes them well-suited for leadership roles during crises. Whether operating on the battlefield or within an emergency operations center, veterans bring a mindset that prioritizes swift, effective action in the face of uncertainty, an invaluable asset to the field of emergency management.

Many veterans with a similar experience to the author may jump from job to job, trying to find a position that fits their experience while also utilizing the skills and training learned during active duty. After years of searching, the author was able to find an organization, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, that fit the goals he set for himself while still serving the community.

Resource and Personnel Management

Veterans bring with them a wealth of experience in coordinating personnel, managing logistical support, and maintaining situational awareness, particularly during combat operations. These competencies, often considered routine in military settings, become significant assets in emergency management. During disaster response, the ability to account for personnel, assess resource availability, and allocate assets effectively is paramount. Veterans understand the importance of staging resources in key locations to ensure operational success, skills developed over years of service and honed through experience.

This proficiency extends to managing supply chains, transportation assets, and human resources during dynamic operations. While law enforcement and fire services also manage resources in critical situations, military training provides veterans with a unique depth of exposure to complex logistical scenarios. As a result, they often excel in coordinating the deployment of resources and tracking personnel during emergencies.

Training, Preparedness, and After-Action Reviews

Both military organizations and emergency management agencies emphasize readiness through rigorous training. In the military, units prepare extensively for deployment through exercises that simulate battlefield conditions. Similarly, emergency management professionals engage in drills, tabletop exercises, and simulations to prepare for disaster response. These activities ensure that when real incidents occur, teams are equipped to respond effectively and efficiently.

Veterans bring a structured mindset to post-incident analysis. The military’s use of after-action reviews is often similar to emergency management’s evaluation processes. Veterans are often quick to identify gaps, suggest improvements, and contribute meaningfully to the overall preparedness and resilience of a team. Their experience conducting mission debriefs and performance evaluations provides valuable insight for improving emergency management operations.

Reflection

As the profession of emergency management expands, at the same time veterans are seeking to transition into a field that allows them to pursue a higher purpose. Emergency management shares many similarities with military service, which can attract veterans to continue their commitment and utilize the specific skill set they have developed throughout their military careers. The following action items can facilitate a transition from a military career to emergency management:

• Discuss transferable skills with military assistance programs like the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), VA Work-Study Program, USO Transition Services.
• Discover which additional educational requirements and civilian certifications would be required for a desired role.
• Take the FEMA Independent Study courses for the Incident Command System and National Incident Management System (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800).
• Find educational and training opportunities for emergency management. For example, the Texas Division of Emergency Management holds yearly academies.

Whether assigned to an emergency operations center or an incident management team during a disaster, or pursuing a role in planning, recovery, or training, a veteran has an extensive range of opportunities to achieve success in a fulfilling career in emergency management, whether at the state or local level.