U.S. Army Training
Get An Electrician Career

Becoming a certified electrician in the United States Army has its perks and privileges beyond the opportunity to be of service to the nation.

However, the opportunity to actually become a U.S. Army electrician requires competitive educational requirements, intensive training and desirable personal attributes including physical and psychological qualities. Read on and find out the steps, features and benefits toward this goal.

Duties and Responsibilities

U.S. Army electricians use their knowledge in electrical theory and practice to install, operate and repair underground, overhead and above ground electrical power distribution systems that directly and indirectly affect the effective and efficient operations of the organization and its instrumentalities.

Additionally, the electricians are required to perform organizational-level maintenance procedures on electrical power generation equipment, floodlight sets and load banks as well as install and repair electrical wirings in structures.

Required Training

All U.S. Army electricians undergo 9 weeks of basic combat training coupled with 6-8 weeks of individual advanced training. Both trainings are designed to develop the applicants for the physical, psychological and intellectual demands of the job as electricians in one of the world's largest military organization.

The advanced Army training encompasses a wide variety of topics including but not limited to electrical safety procedures, fundamentals of electricity and electrical circuits, and proper techniques in electrical wirings. Diagnostic skills related to electrical system malfunctions are also included in the training program.

Other requirements for training include normal color vision and acceptable level of physical endurance as well as the absence of acrophobia (the fear of heights). The EL score must also be 90 or higher.

Applicants who are interested in math and science, who are good in physics and who can work with power tools are most welcome to apply. An electronics or electrical background in civilian life is also an advantage in the successful completion of basic training.

Pay and Benefits

U.S. Army electricians are active duty soldiers who are entitled to numerous benefits including basic salary, bonuses and allowances. Depending on the number of years in service and rank, electricians earn $16,794 to $32,511 annually along with other perks and privileges like food allowances, tax advantages and health care packages, among others.

Career Choices

The specific Army training choices for electrician career are the following:

• Interior Electrician 12R - Interior electricians are tasked with the installation, operation and maintenance of interior electrical systems of up to 600 volts. These main duties involve secondary responsibilities including the installation of service panels, electrical boxes, switches, service drops, and special electrical equipment as well the use of test equipment.

• Power Distribution Specialist (12Q) - Power distribution specialists are tasked with the supervision, installation and maintenance of electrical distribution systems as well as in the performance of duties related to being a member of the power line distribution team.

• Aircraft Electrician (15F) - Aircraft electricians are tasked with the supervision, inspection and performance of maintenance procedures related to electrical systems in the aircrafts. The duties include repair of instrument systems, troubleshooting of malfunctions, and preservation of electronic components, among others.

• Power Generation Equipment Repairer (91D) - Power generation equipment repairers are responsible for the maintenance and overhaul procedures of power generation equipment and internal combustion engines as well as their related equipment.

The U.S. Army training provides for many career opportunities for individuals who want to become certified professional electricians and who want to enjoy the benefits of being part of the military.

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