Power Plant Operators
Background
Power plants generate electricity for ships, submarines, and military bases. The military uses many different types of power plants. Many ships and submarines have nuclear power plants. Power plant operators operate boilers, turbines, nuclear reactors, and portable generators. Power plant operators control power generating plants on land and aboard ships and submarines.
What They Do
Power plant operators in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Inspect equipment for malfunctions
- Monitor and control nuclear reactors that produce electricity and power ships and submarines
- Monitor and operate control boards to regulate power plants
- Operate and maintain auxiliary equipment
- Operate and maintain diesel generating units
- Operate and maintain stationary engines, such as steam engines, air compressors, and generators
- Operate the steam turbines that generate power for ships
Physical Demands
Power plant operators lift heavy parts or tools when maintaining power plants. They may also have to stoop and kneel and work in awkward positions while repairing.
Special Requirements
No information available.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Interest in nuclear power
- Interest in working with large machinery
Helpful School Subjects
Helpful school subjects include:
- Math
- Shop mechanics
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Power plant operators usually work indoors. They are subject to high temperatures, dust, and noise.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Coast Guard
- 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 12 to 25 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in operating power plants.
Course content typically includes:
- Nuclear specialties have training programs that last one year or more, covering all aspects of nuclear power plant operations.
- Operation and maintenance of mechanical systems on nuclear powered ships and submarines
- Operation and maintenance of reactor control systems
- Operation of pressure boilers
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian power plant operators work for power companies, factories, schools, and hospitals. They perform duties similar to military power plant operators. Depending on the specialty, power plant operators may also be called boiler operators, stationary engineers, nuclear reactor operators, or diesel plant operators.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 13,000 power plant operators. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new power plant operators due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, power plant operators work under the close direction of supervisors. With experience, they may gain greater responsibility for plant operations and supervise other operators. Eventually, they may become superintendents of utilities for large bases or chiefs of ships' engineering departments.