Job: Interior Electrician (21R)

JOIN THE U.S. ARMY!
To be a U.S. Army Soldier is to be a part of the strongest fighting force in the world. You'll spend your days training, working and serving together to protect America's freedoms. But you'll also have time after work for family, friends and personal interests. From recruitment to retirement, the U.S. Army provides a unique and diverse lifestyle for Soldiers.


The Army uses electricity to do many jobs, including lighting hospitals, running power tools, and operating computers. Interior Electricians installs and maintains interior electrical systems up to 600 volts. Reads and interprets drawings, plans, and specifications. Installs service panels, switches and electrical boxes. Installs metallic and nonmetallic sheathed cable, conduit and special electrical equipment. Installs service drop. Uses test equipment to test operational condition of circuits. Assists in performance of combat engineer missions. Uses test equipment to isolate malfunctions and repairs defects in systems and components. Inspects interior electrical systems/components for proper installation in accordance with National Electrical Code and local ordinances. Some of your duties as an Interior Electrician may include:

* Install and wire transformers, junction boxes, and circuit breakers, using wire cutters, insulation strippers, and other hand tools
* Read blueprints, wire plans, and repair orders to determine wiring layouts or repair needs
* Install service panels, switches and electrical boxes
* Use of test equipment to test operational conduction of circuits
* Cut, bend, and run wires and conduits (pipe or tubing)
* Inspect power distribution systems, shorts in wires, and faulty equipment using test meters
* Repair and replace faulty wiring and lighting fixtures
* Install lightning rods to protect electrical systems

Job training for a Interior Electrician requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and seven weeks of Advanced Individual Training and on-the-job instruction, including practice in the installation and repair of electrical wiring systems. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

* Fundamentals of electricity
* Electrical circuit troubleshooting
* Safety procedures
* Techniques for wiring switches, outlets, and junction boxes

Helpful attributes include:

* An interest in science and math
* Ability to use hand tools
* Preference for doing physical work
* Interest in electricity

Advanced level Interior Electricians provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within their discipline. As an advanced level Interior Electrician, you may be involved in:

* Supervise installation and maintenance of interior electrical systems
* Plan electrical system layout using drawings, plans, specifications and wiring diagrams
* Coordinate construction planning and advising on electrical construction
* Use of testing equipment to isolate malfunctions and repairing defects in systems and components
* Inspect interior electrical systems/components for proper installation

The skills you'll learn, as an Interior Electrician will help prepare you for a future with building or electrical contracting firms. Some Army Interior Electricians will be interested in pursuing a career as a self-employed electrical contractor.

* Combat Engineer (21B)
* Bridge Crewmember (21C)
* Technical Engineer (21T)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.