About This Career

Security specialists in the Military protect and defend. They conduct risk/vulnerability assessments, analyze crime, and recommend appropriate courses of action to eliminate conditions conducive to terrorism, espionage, sabotage, wrongful destruction, malicious damage, theft, and pilferage. Law enforcement specialists that focus on security require a breadth of knowledge in weapon systems, antiterrorism, law enforcement, defense, and combat arms.

This career is part of the Government and Public Administration cluster National Security pathway.

A person in this career:

• Plans, evaluates, and supervises the implementation of site-specific security to protect assets designated as vital to national security
• Maintains physical security to prevent access, damage, or removal of vital assets
• Patrols convoy routes and restricted areas by foot, mount, boat, or tactical vehicle
• Performs interior/exterior guard procedures, and employs antiterrorist tactics and techniques as necessary
• Conducts small team combat operations to restore security
• Provides armed internal security to designated United States diplomatic and consular facilities to prevent the compromise of classified information and equipment integral to national security
• Performs small arms handling and employment, to include automatic weapons, grenade launchers, and rockets
• Conducts security inspections, preliminary investigations, and vulnerability assessments
• Controls entry and exit of military and civilian personnel, vehicles, and other equipment at military installation access points, on United States diplomatic missions, or at other designated establishments
• Executes convoy escort and defense operations against intrusion by rioters, hostile elements, or other unusual circumstances

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Moving the arms, legs and torso together when the whole body is in motion
• Judging how far away an object is, or which of several objects is closer or farther away
• Seeing objects or movement to one's side when looking forward
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours
• Overnight travel