Construction Specialists

Background

The military builds many temporary and permanent structures each year. Lumber, plywood, plasterboard, concrete, and masonry (bricks, stone, and concrete blocks) are the basic building materials for many of these projects. Construction specialists work with engineers and other building specialists as part of military construction teams. Construction specialists build and repair buildings, bridges, foundations, dams, and bunkers. 

What They Do

Construction specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Build foundations, floor slabs, and walls with brick, cement block, mortar, or stone
• Build temporary shelters for storing supplies and equipment while on training maneuvers
• Erect wood framing for buildings using hand and power tools, such as hammers, saws, levels, and drills
• Install plasterboard, plaster, and paneling to form interior walls and ceilings
• Lay roofing materials, such as asphalt, tile, and wooden shingles
• Lay wood and ceramic tile floors and build steps, staircases, and porches

Physical Demands

Construction specialists may have to lift and carry heavy building materials, such as lumber, plasterboard, and concrete. Sometimes, they climb and work from ladders and scaffolding.

Special Requirements

No information available.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to work with blueprints
• Interest in using power tools
• Preference for physical work

Helpful School Subjects

Helpful school subjects include:

• Industrial arts
• Math
• Woodworking

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

Work Environment

Construction specialists work indoors and outdoors on construction sites.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Army
• 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 five to eight weeks of instruction, including practice with carpentry and masonry tools.

Course content typically includes:

• Building construction
• How to mix and set concrete, mortar, and plaster
• Interpretation of blueprints and drawings
• Masonry construction methods
• Types and uses of construction joints and braces

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian construction specialists usually work for construction or remodeling contractors, government agencies, utility companies, or manufacturing firms. They perform duties similar to military construction specialists. They may also be called bricklayers, stonemasons, cement masons, cement finishers, carpenters, or cabinetmakers.

Related Civilian Careers

• Bricklayers and Stonemasons
• Carpenters
• Cement Masons
• Construction Helpers
• Drywall Finishers
• Drywall Installers
• Floor and Carpet Layers
• General Construction Workers
• Painters
• Roofers
• Tile Setters

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 5,000 construction specialists. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new specialists due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, construction specialists work in teams under close supervision. Initially, they perform simple work, such as form building and rough framing. With experience, they perform more difficult tasks. In time, they may supervise and train other specialists. They may become construction superintendents.