stars and stripes magazine's fall 2025 transition guide: PEST CONTROL CAREERS
FROM BATTLEFIELD TO BUG CONTROL: PEST CONTROL IS YOUR NEXT MISSION
When Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Jacob Kulzer completed his 21-year military career, including two years serving as a Field Artillery Officer and Civil Military Operations Leader in Iraq, he could have chosen any number of career paths. He found his calling in an industry that might surprise many service members: pest control.
Today, Kulzer serves as Vice President of Operations for North America at Ecolab, leading a team of over 3,000 associates serving more than 200,000 customer locations. His exceptional leadership in the pest elimination industry earned him the 2025 David Cooksey PestVet of the Year Award from the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) that recognizes military veterans with careers in pest management.
A Mission That Matters
"The hands-on, problem-solving nature of pest control work can be fulfilling and aligns well with the skills developed in military service," said NPMA's workforce development team. For veterans like Kulzer, the transition makes perfect sense. Both military service and pest management share a common purpose: protecting people, property, and public health.
The pest control industry touches millions of lives daily. Public health officials attribute much of our modern quality of life to three key factors: better sanitation, better pharmaceuticals and medicine, and better pest control. For veterans accustomed to serving a higher purpose, this mission-driven work provides the same sense of meaningful contribution they experienced in uniform.
“There’s something different happening every day,” says Kulzer. “We service everything from homes and farms to the most complex businesses and manufacturers. Keeping our customers safe is something I take great pride in—that’s what makes the work meaningful.”
Why Veterans Excel in Pest Control
Modern pest control leverages advanced equipment and systems from GPS tracking and digital reporting systems to advanced baiting technologies and integrated pest management solutions. Success requires the same analytical and technical skills veterans develop in military service.
Kulzer credits much of his success to lessons from the military that helped him rise quickly from a regional operations manager to an executive leading hundreds of professionals. But one skill stood out most: listening.
“Part of what’s helped me to be successful is that I’m a good listener,” Jacob says. “Listening to my team, soliciting feedback, listening to our customers—then taking that feedback and turning it into action—that’s how we get better.”
An Industry With Opportunity
- For Active-Duty Service Members: Visit your Transition Assistance Program Office (TAP) to learn about SkillBridge application requirements. Research pest control company partners in your desired location and reach out to NPMA for guidance.
- For Veterans: Visit PestControlJobs.com to explore current opportunities. The site features job listings from NPMA member companies nationwide, many of which are PestVets companies specifically committed to hiring veterans.
Strong Career Prospects
The structural pest control industry consists of more than 19,000 pest management firms generating approximately $6.5 billion in annual revenue. As one of the most stable segments of the U.S. economy, it offers veterans several compelling advantages:
- Job Security: Pest control is an essential industry that will remain in demand as long as pests pose problems to human health and property.
- Competitive Compensation: Entry-level positions typically offer salaries ranging from $45,000 to $75,000, with substantial opportunities for advancement and income growth.
- Comprehensive Benefits: Most companies provide extensive benefits packages, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- Career Flexibility: The industry offers multiple career paths, from field technicians and sales representatives to management roles and business ownership opportunities.
If you pursue opportunities in pest management, you will:
- Shadow experienced professionals in the field.
- Learn pest biology, safety procedures and treatment strategies.
- Gain credentials that lead to leadership roles.
Advice to Service Members
Kulzer encourages veterans to keep an open mind when considering civilian careers.
“I never thought I’d end up in pest control,” he says. “But what I found here is purpose, stability, and the chance to work with great teams. Veterans already have the skills to succeed. They just need to take that first step.”
