Building Electricians

Background

The military uses electricity to do many jobs, including lighting hospitals, running power tools, and operating computers. Building electricians install and repair electrical wiring systems in offices, repair shops, airplane hangars, and other buildings on military bases.

What They Do

Building electricians in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Cut, bend, and string wires and conduits (pipe or tubing)
• Inspect power distribution systems, shorts in wires, and faulty equipment using test meters
• Install and wire transformers, junction boxes, and circuit breakers, using wire cutters, insulation strippers, and other hand tools
• Install lightning rods to protect electrical systems
• Read blueprints, wiring plans, and repair orders to determine wiring layouts or repair needs
• Repair and replace faulty wiring and lighting fixtures

Physical Demands

Normal color vision is required for working with color-coded wiring and circuits.

Special Requirements

No information available.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to use hand tools
• Interest in electricity
• Preference for doing physical work

Helpful School Subjects

Helpful school subjects include:

• Math
• Science

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

Work Environment

Building electricians usually work indoors while installing wiring systems. They work outdoors while installing transformers and lightning rods.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Marine Corps
• Navy

Hiring Practices

To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.

This position is for enlisted personnel.

Wages

The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.

Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay. 

Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.

There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.

Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.

Training Provided

Job training consists of eight to 12 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in the installation and repair of electrical wiring systems.

Course content typically includes:

• Electrical circuit troubleshooting
• Fundamentals of electricity
• Safety procedures
• Techniques for wiring switches, outlets, and junction boxes

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian building electricians usually work for building and electrical contracting firms. Some work as self-employed electrical contractors. They perform duties similar to military building electricians.

Related Civilian Careers

• Electrician Helpers
• Electricians

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 3,000 building electricians. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new electricians due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, building electricians work under close supervision. As they gain experience, building electricians work more independently. In time, they may be promoted to supervisor of one or more work crews. Eventually, they may become construction superintendents.