Plumbers and Pipe Fitters

Background

Military buildings and equipment require pipe systems for water, steam, gas, and waste. Pipe systems are also needed on aircraft, missiles, and ships for hydraulic (fluid pressure) and pneumatic (air pressure) systems. Plumbers and pipe fitters install and repair plumbing and pipe systems.

What They Do

Plumbers and pipe fitters in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Bend, cut, and thread pipes made of lead, copper, and plastic
• Install connectors, fittings, and joints
• Install sinks, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures
• Plan layouts of pipe systems using blueprints and drawings
• Solder or braze pipe and tubing to join them
• Troubleshoot, test, and calibrate hydraulic and pneumatic systems

Physical Demands

Plumbers and pipe fitters have to lift and carry heavy pipes and tubes.

Special Requirements

No information available.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to work with detailed plans
• Preference for doing physical work

Helpful School Subjects

Helpful school subjects include:

• Math
• Shop mechanics

Helpful Fields of Study

No information available.

Work Environment

Plumbers and pipe fitters work both indoors and outdoors on land and aboard ships.

Services offering this career:

• Army
• 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 repairing plumbing systems.

Course content typically includes:

• Installation and repair of plumbing fixtures and boiler controls
• Installation, operation, and repair of pipe systems
• Maintenance and repair of hydraulic and pneumatic systems
• Methods of soldering, welding, silver brazing, and cutting

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian plumbers and pipe fitters usually work for mechanical or plumbing contractors or as self-employed contractors. Some plumbers and pipe fitters work for public utilities. Civilian plumbers and pipe fitters perform duties similar to those performed in the military.

Related Civilian Careers

• Pipelayers
• Plumbers and Pipefitters

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 1,000 plumbers and pipe fitters. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new plumbers and pipe fitters due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, plumbers and pipe fitters work under close supervision. With experience, they work more independently and may supervise others. Eventually, they may advance to become managers of utilities departments, construction units, or missile maintenance units.