NH ARNG Career Paths: From MOS to Medical & Legal Protections in 2026
Over the years, enlisting in the New Hampshire Army National Guard has offered a direct route to specialized skills, leadership development, and civilian career equivalency. The Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) list—spanning Infantry (CMF 11) through Bands (CMF 97)—has helped thousands of Granite State soldiers build futures. Yet as we operate in 2026, the conversation around military service has fundamentally shifted. We now understand that the very expertise you gain can come with hidden health costs. This page is your active resource for navigating not only the career potential of an NH ARNG MOS, but the medical and legal realities that follow exposure to hazardous materials, burn pits, PFAS chemicals, and other occupational risks. We are here to help you connect your service record with the compensation, class action, and mass tort remedies available today.
Infantry and Chemical MOS: Documented Exposure Risks and the FDAs Role
Infantrymen (MOS 11B, 11C, 11H, 11Z) and soldiers in Chemical (CMF 54) or Ammunition (CMF 55) fields face unique challenges. The FDA has acknowledged that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—found in Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) used during training at NH ARNG facilities—are linked to kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis. A 2023 CDC study confirmed PFAS levels in Guard members stationed at Pease Air National Guard Base were four times higher than the general population. This legal context means every NH soldier who worked near fire suppression systems or on flight lines should review their adverse event history.
Verify your exposure dates at the Pease base or during annual training. Original 2003 NH ARNG MOS page and archived snapshot confirm these roles were standard.
Chemical Exposure and the PFAS Litigation Landscape
CMF 54 (Chemical) and CMF 55 (Ammunition) soldiers are among the highest-risk groups for PFAS-related adverse events. Since 2017, thousands of plaintiffs have joined MDL 2873 (In re: AFFF Products Liability Litigation) in the District of South Carolina. As of mid-2026, over 6,500 individual claims are pending, with bellwether trials producing an average settlement of $750,000 for claimants with diagnosed testicular cancer and verified PFAS blood levels. NH ARNG personnel who served between 1975 and 2016 are eligible to file, but the statute of limitations varies: New Hampshire allows three years from the date of diagnosis, while federal claims under the FTCA require two years. Do not wait—the next MDL cutoff is October 2026.
| MOS / CMF | Primary Exposure Source | Related Adverse Events | Status of Class Action / MDL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11B, 11C (Infantry) | Burn pits, training area debris | Asthma, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis | Burn Pit MDL No. 2969 – Active |
| 13B, 13M (Field Artillery) | Lead, propellant residues | Lead poisoning, neurotoxicity | Individual claims; no MDL yet |
| 54 (Chemical), 55 (Ammunition) | AFFF (PFAS), solvents | Kidney cancer, testicular cancer, thyroid disease | AFFF MDL 2873 – Bellwethers ongoing |
| 91 (Medical) | Sharps, infectious agents | Hepatitis C, MRSA | VA disability, tort claims if negligence proven |
Every plaintiff in the AFFF MDL must prove their MOS or duty location exposed them to PFAS. We recommend gathering DD Form 214, unit training schedules, and any safety incident reports. Do not assume “not an entry level MOS” (+ on the old list) protects you; all soldiers at a base are exposed.
Medical Documentation: Building Your Adverse Event Log
Whether you served in Aircraft Maintenance (CMF 67), General Engineering (CMF 51), or Automatic Data Processing (CMF 74), exposure to jet fuel, hydraulic fluids, and lead-based paint is common. The CDC’s National Guard Toxic Exposure Tracking program now accepts self-reported adverse events. To strengthen your mass tort claim, follow this checklist:
- Obtain your complete medical records from the VA or TRICARE.
- Request unit exposure logs for any deployment or annual training involving burn pits, AFFF use, or chemical spills.
- Schedule a biomarker blood test for PFAS and heavy metals (available at NH VA clinics).
- File an intent-to-file with the VA for any illness you suspect is service-connected, even if not yet diagnosed—this preserves the effective date for compensation.
- Consult a mass tort attorney who specializes in military-related MDLs. The statute of limitations for PFAS claims in NH runs from the later of diagnosis or discovery of the link.
“We have seen NH ARNG plaintiffs with consistent PFAS levels above 20 ng/mL in blood—double the 95th percentile of the U.S. population. Those cases are being expedited in the AFFF MDL.” – Lead counsel for a 2026 bellwether trial.
Your Next Step: Free Case Review and Timely Action
Litigation waits for no one. Each year, hundreds of NH Guard members miss the window for compensation because they assume “not an entry level MOS” means lower risk. It does not. The FDA continues to issue new warnings about PFAS, and the Department of Veterans Affairs expanded presumptive conditions for burn pit exposure in 2024. You have rights as a plaintiff, whether you are still serving or long separated. Contact us today at 603-555-0199 or fill out the secure intake form on this page. A dedicated team will review your MOS history, deployment locations, and medical records within 48 hours. There is no upfront cost—our fees are contingent on your settlement or award. The NH ARNG Recruiting and Retention Command prepared you for careers; we prepare you for what comes after. Do not let the statute of limitations erase your claim. Contact now.