Also called: DoD Customs Border Clearance Agent, Army MP customs, Navy MA customs
Inspects cargo, vehicles, and personal gear returning to the U.S. from deployments to stop contraband and pests.
Military customs inspectors check shipping containers, vehicles, and troops' bags for weapons, drugs, smuggled artifacts, and invasive insects before they head home.
Regular military compensation (RMC = base pay + housing and food allowances + their tax advantage) for typical E-1 to E-6 ranks, 2026 estimate. Cash in hand is lower early on because junior troops often live in free barracks and eat in dining halls. Enlistment bonuses can add thousands.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 1 year after high school. High school diploma and ASVAB, basic training, military police or master-at-arms training, then customs certification. 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: Criminal Justice.
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 in 5 years, medium in 10. X-ray and AI scanning flag more contraband; opening containers and bags stays human.
Classes: Biology, Government / Civics.
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.