20th SUPCOM CBRNE - a great opportunity or a great career-killer. It's hard to tell which. - Chemist US Army Employee Review

2.0
Nov 30, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The 20th SUPCOM CBRNE Analaytical and Remediation Activity (CARA) is a relatively recently formed civilian unit - you allegedly get an opportunity to participate in forming the structure of the organization. It is a fully deployable unit, so people who want the opportunity to go on OCONUS missions should consider applying here. Like many Army positions, there is a big emphasis on training, so you will learn some skills. For civilians, it's a good place to get some tactical experience.

Cons

The upper management of the 20th does little to communicate to CARA what its vision of our future is. It's unknown what we'll be doing six months or a year from now. Simple requests like permission to do PT during work hours is held in limbo for months. The infrastructure is poor - even basic office furniture is impossible to get. I can't even get a small bookcase; all my stuff is piled on my desk. The IT is so locked down that our computers are almost non-functional. Starting next year we will need a PIN just to make phone calls. I understand there are security needs, but it's getting ridiculous.

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5.0
Jun 10, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Its the army. Good is good

Cons

Its the army. Bad is really bad

5.0
Apr 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

os: The Army develops leaders in ways most organizations simply cannot replicate. Over a 24-year career, I was entrusted with managing multi-million dollar inventories, leading diverse teams under high-pressure conditions, and executing complex logistics operations across CONUS and deployed environments — including combat zones. The training pipeline is world-class, and the institution genuinely invests in your development at every rank. Benefits are exceptional: comprehensive healthcare, retirement pension, education assistance (tuition assistance and GI Bill), and a built-in network of professionals who share your values. The sense of mission and belonging is unmatched. I was part of something bigger than a bottom line.

Cons

Cons: Work-life balance can be a real challenge, especially at junior enlisted ranks and during deployments — the Army's needs always come first, and your personal schedule is secondary to the mission. Frequent PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves can strain family stability and make long-term community roots difficult to maintain. Bureaucracy and slow institutional change can be frustrating, particularly when you can clearly see a better way to accomplish a task. Transitioning out after a long career also requires significant personal initiative — the civilian world speaks a very different language, and translating military experience takes real effor

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