Little interest in retention; morale suffers - Anthropologist SNA International Employee Review

2.0
May 5, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

One of few companies hiring anthropologists My coworkers are incredibly intelligent, hardworking, and supportive

Cons

Retention: little interest, company does not offer bonuses, promotions, or cost of living increases; occasional 1-3% merit raises available once a year; one raise at 3 years; no increase in PTO between 3-10 years Benefits: Healthcare costs are very high for families/ dependents, no paid parental leave Communication: hesitancy to commit to policies in writing, difficult to communicate with management and CEO Growth: no opportunities for career advancement; few transferable skills developed Gender equity: working to improve pay transparency, history of underpaying qualified scientists who lack negotiation skills Work culture: morale suffers from pay inequities, especially between federal and contractor staff Scientific rigor: do not provide incentives for professional development or certifications; vacant positions are not filled quickly; do not offer salaries that would attract the most qualified personnel Compensation: generally scientists are under-compensated, with several Master's and PhD level analysts struggling to make ends meet

Explore other reviews about SNA International

5.0
Jun 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1. Working for SNA and on the AFMES program IS the most professionally rewarding, scientifically rigorous, and mission‑driven environment you can find in our field. 2. From a science and mission standpoint, this place is exceptional. Our contractor team is a key part of that, helping AFMES maintain world‑class forensic capabilities that support everything from individual casework to high‑visibility national missions.

Cons

Not many, providing scientific answers and closure to families will always outweigh chasing a slightly bigger paycheck—it is what it is, and the impact of our mission more than makes up for it.

5.0
Jun 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Incredible mission that matters every day: AFMES’s mission is to investigate deaths, identify the fallen, and improve readiness and warfighter survivability, and you feel that purpose in everything you do. Our work directly supports the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), whose mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting of missing personnel to their families and the nation, so the science you do here helps bring Americans home. Direct impact on DPAA identifications and family closure: AFMES’s Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) and repository operations are tightly integrated with DPAA operations, enabling DPAA to meet and even exceed its longstanding goal of 200 identifications per year. *****World‑class forensic science and innovation:

Cons

Honestly, none for me. This is a demanding, high‑consequence mission, but that intensity is exactly what makes the work meaningful; if you’re looking for a low‑stakes, 9‑to‑5 environment, this isn’t it—but if you want your work to matter, AFMES is the right place.

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All