Also called: National Guard Civil Support Team (CST), Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team
Full-time Guard specialists who respond to suspected chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear incidents in their state.
Each state has a 22-person CST that can arrive within hours with mobile labs and hazmat suits. They sweep stadiums before the Super Bowl, test suspicious powders, and help firefighters at hazmat scenes.
Full-time Active Guard Reserve RMC, 2026 estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 4 years after high school. Guard service in CBRN, medical, or communications fields, then selection and extensive hazmat training; full-time AGR status. Free-college benefits: Tuition Assistance (up to $4,500/yr) while serving, the Post-9/11 GI Bill (36 months of tuition + housing stipend) afterward, and SkillBridge internships before separating.
Ways in: Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Emergency Management, Biology.
Growing about average. Military specialties are not in BLS projections. The services recruit for this job every year and openings track force size and retention rather than market growth.
Low risk for 10 years. Mobile labs and sensors help; responding to chemical and radiological incidents stays human.
Classes: AP Chemistry, Biology, Health / first aid.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.