Service Branches
Work Environment
Sonography technicians work in hospitals and clinics. In combat situations they may work in mobile field hospitals. They follow strict safety procedures to minimize exposure to radiation.
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Military Status
Enlisted
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Median Military Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.
$68,677
Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location.
$30,249 - $251,423
Overview
Sonography technicians must be knowledgeable about ultrasound physics. They operate medical radiology equipment while performing ultrasound examinations, which are commonly used to study a developing fetus, abdominal and pelvic organs, muscles and tendons, and the heart and blood vessels. Sonography technicians produce ultrasound diagnostic images while providing patient care for appropriate study and diagnosis. Sonography technicians balance patient interaction and technological performance while working cohesively with a healthcare team.
Military Training
All enlisted service members complete basic military training which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field and covers tactical and survival skills physical training military life and customs and weapons training. Sonography technicians in the Military will gain skills through classroom study including practice with medical imaging equipment and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:
- Operation of diagnostic imaging equipment
- Image processing
- Anatomy and physiology
- Patient care in radiology
- Medical ethics and law
- Principles of radiation protection
- Field radiography
Helpful Attributes
- Ability to follow strict standards and procedures
- Interest in activities requiring accuracy and attention to detail
- Interest in helping others
- Interest in working in a medical environment
- Technical skills and eye-hand coordination
Related Civilian Careers
- Medical Assistants
Navy Sonar Technician – ST
If you can’t see us, we’re doing our job. As an ST, you gather intel through advanced sonar technology that few people on the planet have ever used. You quietly detect, track and classify contacts from surface ships or subs, using the immense range to listen for anything from ships to marine life. Process and share critical information with response teams to keep us alert and safe at sea. As a Sonar Technician, it is your job to find what doesn’t want to be found.
Length 2:14 View TranscriptTranscription
[Dolphins whistling]
[Whale song]
Voiceover:
We’re pretty much the eyes and ears of the boat. I’m passively listening to what’s out in the water. There’s STGs, which are on surface ships, and STSs on submarines. We detect, track and classify contacts. It might be the most important way of tracking. Radar can’t go under the water. So if there’s submarines out there, then sonar’s going to pick it up first. And with passive, our range is immense. This contact came in. The bright lines will tell me if there’s sound and I can move my cursor over the top of it and if I listen closely…
[Sonar Sounds]
If it’s a ship, I’m going to hear, like, propellers, or maybe engine noise depending on the kind of ship it is. Sometimes, if I look down this bearing here, I might hear biologics, which is like, whales or dolphins.
[Dolphins whistling and whales moaning]
But, if it’s a submarine, it’s going to be a lot quieter.
[Submarine pulsing]
Sonar has six computer screens in front of them that displays all our information there. People can trust in me to do my job and do it well. Sometimes it’s hard. A lot of times it’s hard, but it’s very rewarding. I really like the people that I work with. I made a lot of great friends, a lot of friends I’ll have the rest of my life. I’m kind of blown away by the things that I do and the stuff that I’ve done. There’s a very small amount of people on the planet who have ever done that.
Navy Sonar Technician – ST
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