In the Air Force:
Heavy Repair Superintendent; Structural; Structural Apprentice; Structural Craftsman; Structural Helper; Structural Journeyman
In the Army:
Bridge Crewmember; Carpentry and Masonry Specialist; Cavalry Scout; Combat Engineer; Construction Engineering Supervisor; Construction Engineering Technician; Special Forces Engineer Sergeant; Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic
In the Marine Corps:
Basic Engineer, Construction, and Equipment Marine; Combat Engineer; Combat Engineer Officer; Utilities Chief
In the Navy:
Advanced Builder; Builder; Constructionman; Conversion NEC BU Builder Basic; Facilities Construction/Facilities Services Officer; Facilities Engineering Officer; Hull Maintenance Technician; Master Chief Constructionman; Officer in Charge, Naval Construction Battalion Unit
From sanding a board perfectly smooth to transforming two by fours into a finished structure… carpentry fills the bill for those who want a hands-on career. Carpenters construct and repair wooden building frameworks and structures— such as stairways, doorframes, and windows. They use hand and power tools to cut and shape wood, plastic, fiberglass, or drywall. They use a tape measure on nearly every project and need math skills to calculate the proper size for pieces they cut. They also train and direct construction and carpenters helpers. Carpenters helpers work under carpenters’ direction. Typically, they gather and carry materials, clean work areas and equipment, measure and cut materials, and position equipment. Carpenters and helpers work both indoors and outdoors. Worksites vary from tall buildings and bridges to homes and industrial sites. The work is sometimes strenuous, and involves physical risk, requiring protective equipment and safety practices. Most carpenters learn their trade through a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship program that combines technical training with paid on-the-job training. Apprentices must have a high school diploma or equivalent, have the physical ability to do the work, and meet additional criteria. Carpenter helpers usually learn on the job and have no specific education requirement.
What they do:
Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood and comparable materials, such as concrete forms; building frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. Includes brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground passageways.
On the job, you would:
Follow established safety rules and regulations and maintain a safe and clean environment.
Measure and mark cutting lines on materials, using a ruler, pencil, chalk, and marking gauge.
Assemble and fasten materials to make frameworks or props, using hand tools and wood screws, nails, dowel pins, or glue.
Engineering and Technology
building and construction
design
Business
management
customer service
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
physics
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Hand and Finger Use
hold or move items with your hands
put together small parts with your fingers
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
order or arrange things
Spatial
imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed
Physical Strength
use your lower back and stomach
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Initiative
Achievement/Effort
Adaptability/Flexibility
You might use software like this on the job:
Accounting software
Intuit QuickBooks
Quicken
Project management software
Turtle Creek Software Goldenseal
VirtualBoss
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Wilhelm Publishing Threshold
high school diploma/GED or certificate after high school usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
In the Marine Corps:
Basic Engineer, Construction, and Equipment Marine; Combat Engineer; Combat Engineer Officer; Utilities Chief
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