What's involved in civilian military welding jobs?

I'm thinking about learning welding skills and heard about civilian military welding jobs. Can someone share more about these positions? What kinds of jobs are available, and what qualifications are necessary to work in these roles?

Civilian welding jobs in the military are indeed a unique fusion of both commercial and government sectors. These roles range from structural work, which may focus on things like building or maintaining bridges, aircraft, or ships, to more specialized positions requiring advanced training, such as underwater or aerospace welding.

Let me break down a few job roles for you:

1. Maintenance Welder: This role could involve maintaining existing infrastructure, including buildings or vehicles. Welders may conduct routine checks and conduct patchwork on rusted areas, cracks, or damaged structural components.

2. Structural Welder: These welders work on constructing new infrastructure. This could be constructing buildings, bridges, or vehicles. For example, in the Navy, they may be heavily involved in shipbuilding.

3. Underwater Welder: This is a specialized role where welders perform their duties underwater, often to repair ships, submarines, or offshore drilling rigs. This position would require additional technical qualifications and certifications for safety.

4. Aerospace Welder: These welders may work on military aircraft or space vehicles. This role requires a high level of precision, as aircraft and spacecraft materials are often heat-sensitive.

In terms of qualifications, a typical pathway to becoming a civilian military welder would involve finishing a welding program (through a technical school or community college), then gaining certification from an organization like the American Welding Society. Additional steps could also involve obtaining security clearance, a drivable license, or even health and physicals depending upon the specific job requirements.

Lastly, as with most professions, the more advanced your skills and experience, the more opportunities for specialized roles will open up. As such, investing in continuing education, like advanced certifications or apprenticeships, could lead to roles requiring more responsibility, and potentially higher pay. Many military facilities also offer on-the-job training, which could enable you to expand your skill set while working.

Overall, it's a dynamic field providing workers with a great opportunity to contribute towards the military's operating efficiency, and can lead to some very secure and rewarding career paths.