How to become an Army entomologist

An Army entomologist is a commissioned officer in the Army Medical Service Corps who holds area of concentration (AOC) 72B, Entomology. The Army's Medical Service Corps career guidance places 72B in Medical Functional Area 72, Preventive Medicine Sciences, alongside nuclear medical science (72A), audiology (72C), and environmental science (72D).

That same guidance describes the duties: the 72B officer "plans, leads, manages, advises, directs, and participates in operational, consultative, training, product development and research in medical entomology to ensure effective control of pests and vectors of disease affecting the health, morale, and environment of all Army personnel," and also serves in command and staff roles that keep property and materiel from being damaged by pests. GoArmy's Entomologist (72B) page summarizes it as providing expertise on the threats insects pose to operations and studying their impact on the health, morale, and operational environment of Soldiers.

In plain terms, an Army medical entomologist protects Soldiers from diseases carried by mosquitoes, ticks, and other arthropods, through surveillance, identification, control programs, and advice to commanders.

Degree. The Medical Service Corps guidance states that AOC 72B "requires a master's or doctoral degree from an accredited program acceptable to TSG [The Surgeon General] in medical entomology." It lists additional considerations:

• an M.S. or Ph.D. in a related biological discipline with significant medical entomology coursework and laboratory work;
• extensive professional entomological experience combined with a graduate degree; or
• a B.S. in entomology combined with appropriate medical entomology coursework and/or applicable professional experience.

Basic eligibility. GoArmy's 72B page lists being a U.S. citizen by the time you commission, an age range of 21 to 42, an advanced degree, eligibility for a Secret security clearance, being medically and physically fit, and good moral standing. GoArmy's job page also notes that everyone must pass the Army Fitness Test after joining and every year of service.

Certification. For retention at all grades, the same guidance requires 72B officers to keep current DoD Pest Management Certification, renewed through approved DoD courses.

This section is from my own experience going through it.

1. AMEDD Direct Commission Course (DCC), about 4 weeks, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. If you are not prior service and did not come through ROTC, this is your first stop. DCC teaches the basics of being an Army officer: drill and marching, military courtesy such as how to salute, weapons qualification, and the core skills every Soldier is expected to have.

2. AMEDD Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC), about 9 weeks, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. BOLC is where you learn to be an Army Medical Department officer. It is followed by a short course of about two weeks specific to the 72B entomology area of concentration. (GoArmy's Army Medicine FAQ lists the active-duty BOLC as 10 to 14 weeks; exact lengths change, so confirm current dates with your recruiter.)

I am a Captain in the U.S. Army and have served as an Army Entomologist since 2023. My route was graduate school first:

The full details are on my Army entomologist resume, and the peer-reviewed work is listed on my medical entomology publications page.

• GoArmy: Entomologist (72B)
• U.S. Army: Medical Service Corps officer career guidance (PDF, army.mil)
• GoArmy: Army Medicine (AMEDD)

Sources checked October 31, 2026.