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62J Career Guide

Army

62J: Construction Equipment Operator

Career transition guide for Army Construction Equipment Operator (62J)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 62J veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Construction Equipment Operator

$55K
High matchStable demand

Construction Supervisor

$78K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certificationOSHA safety standards

Well Drilling Operator

$62K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)Specific well drilling certifications

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

$58K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Diesel engine repair certificationHydraulic systems knowledge

Construction Planner/Scheduler

$75K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management software (e.g., Primavera P6, Microsoft Project)Blueprint readingConstruction management degree or certification

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 62J training built — and where they transfer.

Resource Optimization

62Js estimate equipment, operator, and material requirements for diverse construction jobs, ensuring efficient resource allocation under tight deadlines and operational constraints.

The ability to strategically allocate and manage resources (personnel, equipment, budget) to maximize efficiency and achieve project goals.

Team Synchronization

62Js supervise teams operating construction equipment, coordinating their actions to ensure smooth workflow and project completion, even under pressure.

Effectively coordinating team efforts, ensuring each member understands their role and responsibilities, leading to synchronized actions and achievement of common objectives.

Situational Awareness

62Js maintain constant awareness of their surroundings during construction operations, identifying potential hazards and adapting plans as necessary to ensure safety and mission success.

Maintaining a constant awareness of the surrounding environment and circumstances. Quickly identifying potential risks, adapting plans, and making informed decisions based on real-time information.

After-Action Analysis

After completing construction projects or missions, 62Js participate in after-action reviews to identify lessons learned and improve future performance.

Analyzing completed projects to identify areas for improvement and best practices. Applying these lessons to future endeavors to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Construction Project Coordinator

SOC 47-4011

You've been coordinating equipment, materials, and personnel in dynamic environments. This role needs someone who can keep complex construction projects on track, managing schedules, budgets, and communication between various teams – skills you honed in the Army!

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071

Your experience estimating equipment and operator requirements translates directly to managing supply chains and ensuring timely delivery of resources. As a Logistics Manager, you'll use your organizational skills to optimize the flow of goods, minimize costs, and improve efficiency – just like you did in the field!

Emergency Management Specialist

SOC 11-9161

You're skilled at assessing situations, identifying potential hazards, and coordinating resources during critical operations. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you'll use these skills to develop and implement disaster preparedness plans, respond to emergencies, and help communities recover – a natural extension of your service.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Heavy Construction Equipment Operator Course, Fort Leonard Wood, MO

380 training hours10 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in heavy equipment operation and construction technology

Topics Covered

  • Basic Operation of Construction Equipment
  • Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS)
  • Operating the D7 Dozer
  • Operating the 120M Grader
  • Operating the 420E Backhoe Loader
  • Construction Drawings and Site Development
  • Soil Compaction Techniques
  • Safety Procedures on Construction Sites

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

OSHA 30 Hour Construction70% covered

While the military provides safety training, this OSHA certification requires specific knowledge of OSHA regulations and record-keeping, plus some construction-specific safety topics. Study the OSHA 29 CFR 1926 standards.

Certified Construction Manager (CCM)40% covered

The military provides experience in construction operations and supervision. Gaps include project finance, contract law, and advanced risk management techniques specific to civilian construction projects.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)LEED Green AssociateCertified Professional Constructor (CPC)

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE)Commercial Backhoe Loaders (e.g., Caterpillar, John Deere)
Small Emplacement Excavator (SEE)Compact Excavators (e.g., Bobcat, Kubota)
M100 Water DistributorWater Trucks (for construction and dust control)
Air Compressors (various models)Industrial Air Compressors (e.g., Ingersoll Rand, Sullair)
Critical Path Method (CPM) Scheduling (Military Application)Project Management Software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Primavera P6)
Combat Engineering Construction Equipment (various)Heavy Equipment Operation (general construction)
AN/PRC series radiosTwo-way radios or cellular communication devices

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