Are Electricians Needed in the Military?

I'm training to be an electrician and curious about how I might apply these skills in the military. Do military branches have specific roles for electricians, and what would the day-to-day work look like?

Yes, electricians are certainly needed and crucial in various branches of the military. In fact, electrical engineering expertise is applied in a range of fields within the military, from operations and maintenance of military technology to the construction and repair of facilities.

One example is the Navy's Construction Electricians (CEs) who play a vital role in executing construction projects, such as airfields, bridges, and buildings in the Navy Construction Battalion—popularly known as the Seabees. They manage the power production systems, electrical distribution, and even telephone systems. They may also perform tasks such as installing and maintaining transformers, switchboards, controllers, circuit breakers, and motors.

In the Army, you might find positions like Interior Electrician (12R) responsible for installing and repairing wiring systems and fixing electrical fixtures in military facilities.

The Air Force has a similar role for electricians, known as an Electrical Systems specialist (3E0X1), responsible for the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring and circuits in Air Force structures and facilities.

As for the Marine Corps, the 1141 Electrician MOS installs, operates, maintains, and performs preventive maintenance checks on electric generators and control panels.

The work environment's nature will largely depend on the specific role and branch, and it can quite varied—from working in newly constructed buildings, maintaining and repairing systems on a base, to field deployments in remote locations.

The military also provides comprehensive training and education opportunities to grow your electrical skills further. Most of these jobs require attending an advanced technical school after basic training, where you'll get hands-on training with industry-relevant equipment.

Day-to-day tasks may involve inspecting, testing, repairing, and maintaining electrical systems and equipment, running wires and cables for power and telecommunications, and following industry safety standards.

Keep in mind that serving in the military also offers you the chance to gain experiences and skills that can greatly benefit your post-military career. This could be very beneficial when transitioning back to civilian life.

It's important to speak with a military recruiter or career counselor to drill into the specifics of what each role involves and which might be the best fit for your background, skills, and career goals.