Best way to get into the field? - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

DeeJayy · 10-31-2008, 08:02 PM

This might seem like a question with an obvious answer but I was wondering it so I though I'd ask. Well I'm a 17 year old senior and I'm enlisting after this year. My question is would it be better to go in as an electrician and get all of my training through the military? When/if I get out I want to go into the union. I didn't know if IBEW likes you to have prior training or if they like to train you from the ground up so you learn they way they want you to kind of thing. Thanks id advance for the time

- DJ

P.S. Happy Halloween everyone

Adam12 · 10-31-2008, 08:15 PM

The IBEW likes military experience, as far as prior training, in my experiences with military trained electricians they still had alot to learn since they only did certain electrical work.

Any experience can be good experience, as long as you were taught correctly and didnt pick up any bad habits.

The IBEW apprenticeship is the way to go. IMO.

Good luck.

DeeJayy · 10-31-2008, 08:22 PM

Thanks for the fast reply

That was one of the things I was wondering, its a lot easier to learn from scratch then to break old habits. So regardless it would be better to go in as an electrician or any military experience looks the same on applications?

brian john · 10-31-2008, 09:11 PM

But in my

experience

any military

experience

will get you in and being an military trained

electrician

will not move you up the line any faster and they will still require you to complete the full apprenticeship program.

DeeJayy · 10-31-2008, 09:36 PM

Thanks for that brian john. I wasn't really thinking it would move me up, I just wanted to know if it was like a good foundation to start with kinda thing. Thanks again

nyerinfl · 10-31-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeJayy

Thanks for that brian john. I wasn't really thinking it would move me up, I just wanted to know if it was like a good foundation to start with kinda thing. Thanks again

I got my start doing electrical work in the Air Force. They put you through good tech training, and you learn a lot. But as mentioned there are a lot of things you won't learn in the military, but it will get you going in the right direction. I've never been union but generally you'll find most employers like seeing prior military experience.

JJI · 10-31-2008, 09:53 PM

I agree that there are still a lot to learn after being an electrician in the military but remember that after the military experience for most, you have the discipline, reliability and you prove to yourself that you can handle pressure. Try looking into Construction Electrician in the Navy. There is also an apprentice program that you can go into while enlisted. I was a Shipboard electrician and it is more of industrial. Mostly switchboards, motor controls, elevators, flight deck lighting and ship service generators. Good luck on your enlistment.

DeeJayy · 10-31-2008, 10:01 PM

Thanks. I'm planning on going into the Marines actually. But the Navy electrician sounds awesome though. I think its just like a military apprenticeship program, not sure how it's different then the union one but I don't think it would be too different do you?

JJI · 11-01-2008, 12:21 AM

There is a little bit of difference. In the navy apprentice program, you are documenting and proving your knowledge step by step from scratch on a certain trade of your choice and must be witnessed and signed by a bonafide supervisor of that particular trade (subject to verification). It is good to have that documentation.

nick · 11-01-2008, 06:24 AM

Well i agree with all the post very good advice , Electricians School Navy will give you a solid theory of basic and advanced electrical and electronics and after being in the trade the only thing and talking both union and non union will teach you is bending conduit and the nec code basic dc ac theory . Any military schooling is more advanced than any trade school can give, and you do spend your time doing real electrical work in the military just like we do here and now electric is what it is . So when you get out and go to there trade schooling it will be a breeze to fit in. and then just years of field experience, there is no fast way in this trade hands on working is the key point here , and when your in school look to your left the guy next to you will be a marine because when i went to navy electricians school the marines were in our class , good luck if ya go in the marines do you like to run alot ? take care best to ya

bobelectric · 11-01-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nyerinfl

I got my start doing electrical work in the Air Force. They put you through good tech training, and you learn a lot. But as mentioned there are a lot of things you won't learn in the military, but it will get you going in the right direction. I've never been union but generally you'll find most employers like seeing prior military experience.

I see the Air Force were winners in the Lineman's Rodeo's Journeyman Division.

paul d. · 11-01-2008, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobelectric

I see the Air Force were winners in the Lineman's Rodeo's Journeyman Division.

yes they were. but remember, the USAF is first and foremost a hardcore combat unit feared the world over. have a nice weekend. paul

nyerinfl · 11-01-2008, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobelectric

I see the Air Force were winners in the Lineman's Rodeo's Journeyman Division.

The very first stage of the tech training (for Air Force electricians and the Seabees) is pole climbing. It's about a month of climbing poles, setting crossarms with gaffs, poletop rescue etc. A few of the instructors compete in the linemans rodeo and I'll tell you those guys could climb and drop down poles like you can't believe.

bobelectric · 11-05-2008, 07:26 PM

Good job pool for the utilities.I hate bucket truck over 40 ft.

bobelectric · 11-05-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeeJayy

Thanks. I'm planning on going into the Marines actually. But the Navy electrician sounds awesome though. I think its just like a military apprenticeship program, not sure how it's different then the union one but I don't think it would be too different do you?

Do it boy.20 years and good training and you go on retirement.(I'm a Marine)

Mach · 11-06-2008, 07:20 AM

I would look at the Navy or Navy Nuke. IF these new nuke plants take off in about 4 years they will be looking for guys with nuclear experience. I would gear myself more towards the Instrumentation and Controls side (I&C).

If thats not for you I would go to a Tech school and knock out the training in 2 years. I would still try to go into the instrumentation side.