Career Opportunities in AI and Machine Learning

AI might be right for you if you’re thinking about your next move and are interested in optimizing the skills you gained in the military. Since it’s become such an intrinsic part of so many industries, you may be able to use your tech skills while pursuing your passion in areas like medicine, transportation, finance, accounting, and even art.

Examples of Applicable Military Positions 

What are your options to find a pathway to a career in AI or Machine Learning? Some military career fields may put you at the front of the line for jobs in AI:

Cybersecurity jobs in the military give you a range of hard and soft skills to excel in AI, including critical thinking, problem-solving, network security, and experience with relevant systems. Some of these include:

• Army 17C – Cyber Operations Specialist
• Navy – CTN – Cryptologic Technician (Networks)
• Air Force – 1D7X1 – Cyber Defense Operations
• Marine Corps – 1721 – Cyber Network Operator

If you’ve worked in data analysis or programming, you have likely learned specialized skills from your service that apply to AI, including data collection, coding, systems analysis, and automation. These jobs include:

• Air Force – 3D0X4 – Computer Systems Programming
• Army: 25B – Information Technology Specialist
• Navy: IT – Information Systems Technician

Jobs in statistical modeling, predictive analytics, data analysis, open-course intelligence, geospatial technology, and structured and unstructured data collection may also be suitable precursors to a career in AI.

• Army – 35F – Intelligence Analyst
• AirNavy –  IS (Intelligence Specialist)
• Air Force – 14N – Intelligence Officer

If your military service includes signal and data systems work, your experience may consist of applicable skills in database management, cloud computing, data analysis, and automation. 

• Army – 25 series (e.g., 25B – IT Specialist)
• Air Force – 3D0X2 (Cyber Systems Operations)
• Navy – IT (Information Systems Technician)

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Military jobs in electronics and robotics maintenance often provide opportunities to become knowledgeable in control systems, technical systems analysis, fundamentals in robotics, technical analysis, and hardware-software integration.

• Army – 94F Computer Detection Systems Repairer
• Air Force -2A3X8 (Avionics Test Station and Components)
• Navy  – ET (Electronics Technician)

Work in unmanned systems is a growing military career field that provides a breadth of experience in areas consistent with AI, including real-time data analysis, autonomous navigation, AI flight systems, and mission-critical decision-making. These may include the following. 

• Army – 15W (UAV Operator)
• Air Force – 1U0X1 (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator)
• Marine Corps – 7314 (UAV Operator)

Applicable Soft Skills

Beyond your technical training and expertise, former servicemembers like you possess a wide range of soft skills that give you an edge in any career, particularly with AI and machine learning. Let’s look at some of these, so you are sure to optimize them as you pursue your next pathway.

• Effective and timely decision-making
• Time management and efficiency
• Adaptability under pressure
• Leadership 
• Teamwork & collaboration
• Communications skills
• Experience in briefings and lectures
• Security awareness
• Integrity

Hot Careers in AI and Machine Learning

Data Analysts and scientists are responsible for reviewing complex data sets to establish emerging trends, patterns, and actionable hypotheses. If you excelled in operation planning, intelligence, and logistics, these may be natural fits in the civilian world.

Machine Learning Engineers build algorithms to permit machines to grow their capabilities through operations and experience. For this, you’ll want to have strong math and programming skills.

Robotics and AI Engineers have grown their presence in many industries. If you have harnessed skills in mechanical or technical areas, including robotics or uncrewed systems, this could be an exciting field to maximize your military experience.

AI Cybersecurity Specialists are in demand to help identify combat cybersecurity threats. If you worked in cybersecurity in the military, expanding on what you have already learned in network security, anomaly detection, threat reduction, and programming can be a great career opportunity.

AI Product Managers manage teams to develop AI products, including goals, strategy, and application. This might be a good choice to optimize the leadership,  communications, or project management background you gained during your service.

AI Ethics Specialists specialize in assuring that AI is used correctly and within all ethics guidelines, regulations, and policies. Any military ethics or policy work you have done applies to these roles. 

Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineers work to target how machines can utilize human language by applying programming skills in Python and Java. If your military experience was in communications or language analysis, this could be a good role for you.

AI Training Instructors and specialists can be a great avenue if you want to use the leadership and communication skills you gained in the military to effectively instruct others on using AI and machine learning. 

AI Consultant positions are ideal if you want to grow a business or are looking for flexibility. These specialists contract with the industry to strengthen or expand their AI capabilities. 

AI Researchers are at the heart of cutting-edge AI system development and application. If you have training and experience in science, mathematics, or technical fields, this is a great way to contribute to the future of AI. Those with degrees or transferable skills in emerging technology, research, or computer science might excel in this field.

How to Grow Your Knowledge in AI

If you’re interested in a career in AI and don’t have the skills, no need to fret. A great thing about AI is that there is so much of a need that opportunities to learn it are abundant and, in some cases, even free. So, plenty of options exist if you want to fine-tune, target, or grow your tech prowess. Depending on the degree of knowledge you seek, you can pursue free on-demand programs, micro-credentials, free MOOCs, certificate programs, and college and university classes and degrees. 

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) can provide content to help you upskill your AI knowledge. These courses are often hosted by top-tier colleges and universities at a low cost or free and include online structured courses, either instructor-led or self-paced. Many offer certificates upon completion, but typically, you need to pay for these. Several contributors include Coursera and Udacity, which have robust programming in technology. 

Certificate programs have become exceedingly popular, and you can find them everywhere, including at some colleges and universities, corporations, and trade schools:

• Free Code Camp is a free option that includes Python, a staple for AI and Machine Learning. Their platform has over 3,000 hours of free programming taught through videos, tutorials, and articles. 
• IBM SkillsBuild includes AI coursework providing communication, programming, and problem-solving skills to align you with high-demand careers. And they even offer digital credentials for you to share with potential employers. 
• Microsoft Learn is another way to earn credentials in Python. Using AI, you can even create your individualized curriculum. 

AI Apprenticeships and AI Internships

The demand for AI and machine learning professionals is so strong that you may even be able to access the training you need while earning a paycheck.

• Department of Veterans Affairs – Post-9-11 GI Bill (Chapter 33) is one way to get additional training to enhance your skills base for a credit or certificate program. Depending on your eligibility, while not a “salary,” your BAH can be a way to cover your expenses while you earn your degree or credential.
  
• Department of Defense – Skillbridge is one way to earn and learn in technology. If your command approves you, pursuing an internship with one of their approved providers can help you grow your capabilities while still collecting your military pay.
• Veterans Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E), formerly known as VocRehab, may provide a chance to gain the knowledge you need to break into AI. Since the program is focused on employment, it is tailored to upskill or reskill you for a new career. 
• The Department of Labor Apprenticeship Program is one way to get paid while learning. You may earn an average of $80,000 annually (at press time) for those who complete the program.
• Apprenti is another option to get paid while you upskill or reskill your technology capabilities. At an average of $56,000 per apprenticeship, you can also make a decent salary as you grow your knowledge.
  
• Amazon Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship provides a 12-week course to enhance technical skills applicable to jobs with the company. You will be paid immediately upon beginning the program, and your pay will increase as you move through the program. Plus, you will gain 4 industry-recognized certificates and, while in training, free room and board for qualifying students. When you complete your classroom training, you may qualify to receive 2,000 hours of mentorship at an Amazon facility.
  
• New Apprenticeship is another free program to help you up your game in technology. You have to apply, and not everyone is accepted, but if you are, you participate in an 8-10 boot camp that is grant-funded and free of cost. During that time, you can also pursue a certificate at no cost. After completion, you can apply for a paid 12-month apprenticeship that provides a solid pathway toward employment with the company that sponsored you. 

 

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