Welding is a consistently in-demand skill set within the United States military, necessary for the maintenance and fabrication of equipment across all service branches. While there is no single job titled “military welder,” the trade is integrated into various specialized technical occupations focused on engineering, repair, and maintenance. The specific duties, training, and operational environment for personnel performing this work vary significantly depending on the branch of service and the type of equipment they support, maintaining operational readiness for everything from naval vessels to aerospace equipment.
Welding Roles Across Military Branches
Each branch of the military utilizes a unique classification system for technical trades, but all require personnel skilled in metal work and welding. The Army uses the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code 91E for the Allied Trades Specialist, who fabricates, repairs, and modifies metallic and nonmetallic parts for combat vehicles and heavy equipment, operating various shop equipment alongside welding machines.
The Navy’s Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) rating focuses heavily on ship repair and metal fabrication, maintaining shipboard structures, decks, and hulls by welding, brazing, and riveting. HTs are versatile and must be prepared to troubleshoot and repair structural issues on a vessel. The Marine Corps uses the MOS 1316 designation for a Metal Worker, who provides direct support to engineering and maintenance battalions, often focusing on combat and amphibious operations.
Air Force personnel in the Metals Technology Specialist role (AFSC 2A7X1) emphasize precision work on aerospace ground equipment and aircraft structures. These Airmen repair and create custom metal components, frequently working with specialized materials like aluminum, titanium, and stainless steel. This role involves welding, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining, and other advanced fabrication tasks.
Typical Duties and Work Environment
Military metal workers perform a wide range of fabrication and repair tasks, often in challenging environments. Personnel in these roles routinely use multiple welding processes, including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW or Stick), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW or MIG), and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW or TIG), to join various materials. They work with a spectrum of metals, such as steel, aluminum, copper, and specialized exotic alloys necessary for high-performance aircraft components.
The work environment is varied, ranging from controlled conditions in fixed repair shops to austere field operations. Navy Hull Maintenance Technicians execute repairs in shipyards or while underway at sea, which may involve working on the hull, decks, or internal piping systems. Air Force specialists operate within sophisticated aircraft hangars and machine shops, where the emphasis is on precision and adherence to strict aerospace tolerances. All military welding and metal fabrication must adhere to Military Specification (MIL-SPEC) standards to ensure the structural integrity and safety of mission-critical equipment.
Training and Certification Process
The path to becoming a qualified military metal worker begins with an intensive technical school following basic military training. For example, the Army’s Allied Trades Specialist (91E) attends Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for approximately 19 weeks, focusing on both machining and welding skills. Navy Hull Maintenance Technicians complete a 16-week “A” school that covers everything from blueprint reading and sheet metal work to welding and brazing.
Technical training is hands-on, ensuring service members achieve proficiency in the welding techniques required for their specific job. The Air Force’s Metals Technology course is about 67 days long, preparing Airmen to work with the materials and precision required for aircraft components. Military training programs often align their curriculum with civilian industry standards, such as those set by the American Welding Society (AWS), allowing service members to earn or test for portable, civilian-recognized certifications.
Requirements to Qualify for Military Welding Jobs
Entry into these specialized technical occupations requires meeting specific aptitude criteria on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. This typically means competitive scores in the mechanical and general technical components of the exam. For instance, the Army’s 91E position requires a minimum score in the General Maintenance (GM) category, calculated using subtest scores related to mechanical and electrical aptitude.
The Marine Corps Metal Worker MOS requires a minimum score of 95 or higher on the Mechanical Maintenance (MM) portion of the ASVAB. Beyond academic aptitude, candidates must meet physical fitness standards and often need to qualify for a security clearance, as many maintenance roles involve working on sensitive equipment. Normal color vision is also a prerequisite for many metalworking roles due to the need to differentiate between color-coded wiring and materials.
Civilian Career Transition for Military Welders
The experience gained as a military metal worker translates directly into a successful civilian career path. Military training emphasizes high-tolerance, precision welding on materials like pressure vessels, structural components, and aircraft frames. This specialized expertise makes veterans attractive candidates for competitive industries that require strict regulatory adherence and complex fabrication skills.
Industries such as shipbuilding, aerospace manufacturing, commercial construction, and nuclear power recruit former military welders. The median annual wage for civilian welders is competitive, and those with specialized skills can earn significantly more. Veterans can also utilize their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to fund further education or pay for the cost of testing for additional professional certifications, like those offered by the American Welding Society.