The U.S. Army would not be where it is today without the contributions of a wide variety of Soldiers, with an even wider variety of skill sets. Whether its strength and courage, or hammer and saw, the tools you use in the Army are the same ones you will use to build a better future.

As a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist you'll perform general heavy carpentry, structural steel and masonry duties. Some of your duties as a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist may include:

• Fabricate, erect, maintenance and repair of rigging devices, trusses, and other structural assemblies
• Assist in building layout, framing, sheathing, fabrication and roofing structures
• Perform basic carpentry and masonry skills
• Repair and construct all types of structures
• Assist in the performance of combat engineer missions
• Construct concrete form work for slabs, walls and columns

Job training for a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training and on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

• Basic Concrete Technology
• Concrete Materials and Proportioning
• Concrete Control Tests
• Proper Use of Finishing Tools
• Placing, Consolidation and Finishing
• Edging, Jointing, Curing and Protection
• Basic Structure foaming
• Basic Roofing
• Basic Flooring

Helpful attributes include:

• A preference for working outdoors
• An ability to use hand tools
• A Preference for doing physical work
• An interest in science and math

Advanced level Carpentry and Masonry Specialists provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced-level Carpentry and Masonry Specialists, you may be involved in:

• Interpret construction drawings and blueprints
• Install flooring, walls, roofing and other building components
• Erect prefabricated and pre-engineered metal structures
• Perform millwright, head saw operations and edger functions during sawmill operations

The skills you learn as a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist will help prepare you for a civilian career in commercial and residential construction. You'll be able to consider a future as a mason, carpenter, cement mason, concrete finisher, drywall installer, or ceiling tile installer.

For those who achieve advanced levels as Carpentry and Masonry Specialists you will be able to hold positions as foremen, shift managers, field supervisors or inspectors.

• Concrete and Asphalt Equipment Operator (21V)
• Interior Electrician (21R)
• Plumber (21K)

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