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12K Career Guide

Army

12K: Plumbing Supervisor

Career transition guide for Army Plumbing Supervisor (12K)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 12K veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Plumber

$65K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Journeyman Plumber LicenseLocal plumbing codes and regulations

Construction Supervisor

$85K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

OSHA safety certificationsProject management software (e.g., Procore, MS Project)

Pipefitter

$62K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Welding certificationBlueprint reading

Civil Engineering Technician

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

AutoCAD or Civil 3D proficiencySurveying techniques

Cost Estimator

$75K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Estimating software (e.g., RSMeans)Construction management principlesKnowledge of building codes

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 12K training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

As a 12K, you managed materials, labor, and equipment for construction and repair projects, ensuring efficient resource allocation under often constrained conditions.

This translates directly to the ability to maximize efficiency and minimize waste in any project, a highly valued skill in operations and logistics roles.

Procedural Compliance

Your role demanded strict adherence to safety regulations, construction drawings, and specifications, guaranteeing quality and preventing accidents.

This rigorous training in compliance makes you exceptionally well-suited for roles requiring meticulous attention to detail and adherence to standards, such as quality assurance or regulatory affairs.

Team Synchronization

You coordinated the activities of supporting units and supervised teams on construction projects, requiring you to synchronize efforts for optimal performance.

This experience equips you with the ability to orchestrate team efforts, ensuring everyone is working in harmony towards a common goal – a key skill for project management and team leadership roles.

System Modeling

You devised network flow diagrams and assisted in construction planning, enabling you to understand complex systems and their interdependencies.

This ability to visualize and understand interconnected systems is invaluable in roles that require strategic planning and problem-solving, like logistics and supply chain management.

Situational Awareness

As a general engineering supervisor, you maintained a comprehensive understanding of ongoing operations, potential threats, and resource availability to ensure mission success.

Your heightened awareness of the surrounding environment and potential risks translates into an exceptional ability to anticipate problems and make informed decisions under pressure, crucial for safety management and risk assessment roles.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Construction Inspector

SOC 47-4011

You've been inspecting structures and facilities to ensure compliance with specifications and safety standards. Your military experience directly translates to this role, where you'll maintain quality control on construction sites.

Logistics Coordinator

SOC 49-9098

You've been planning and organizing for combat engineering missions, a skill that directly applies to coordinating the flow of goods and resources in a logistics environment. Your experience optimizing resources and synchronizing teams makes you a strong fit.

Facilities Manager

SOC 11-3010

You've been supervising the installation and repair of utility systems. This makes you an excellent candidate for managing building operations, maintenance, and repairs in a civilian context.

Safety Specialist

SOC 29-9011

You've been conducting inspections of plumbing facilities and ensuring the employment of proper safety procedures. Your commitment to safety and compliance is highly valuable in ensuring workplace safety and regulatory adherence.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Engineer School, Fort Leonard Wood

320 training hours8 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in construction technology

Topics Covered

  • Blueprint Reading
  • Pipefitting Techniques
  • Plumbing Systems Installation
  • Water Distribution Systems
  • Waste Water Systems
  • Plumbing Codes and Standards
  • Safety Procedures
  • Supervisory Skills

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Construction Manager (CCM)70% covered

Requires studying construction law, advanced project management techniques, and specific ethical standards not explicitly covered in military training.

OSHA 30-Hour Construction60% covered

Needs supplementary training on specific OSHA regulations, record-keeping, and recent updates to safety standards.

Project Management Professional (PMP)50% covered

Requires in-depth study of PMBOK guide, formal project management methodologies, and specific tools/techniques. Focus on stakeholder management, risk management, and advanced scheduling.

Recommended Next Certifications

LEED Green AssociateCertified Professional Constructor (CPC)Facilities Management Professional (FMP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Plumbing and Pipefitting Tools (Various)Ridgid Pipe Threading Tools, Milwaukee PEX Expansion Tools
Construction Drawings/BlueprintsAutoCAD, Bluebeam Revu
AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld RadioMotorola Two-Way Radios, Kenwood Digital Mobile Radios
Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS)Project Management Software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6)
Combat Engineer Vehicle (CEV)Caterpillar Heavy Equipment, John Deere Construction Equipment
Joint Engineering Management System (JEMS)Construction Management Software (e.g., Procore, PlanGrid)
Allied Engineer Publication (AEP-70) - NATO Standard for Military EngineeringCivil Engineering Standards and Practices (e.g., ASCE standards, IBC building codes)

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