12W Carpentry and Masonry Specialist

Expand your construction skills and join the Army National Guard as a Carpentry and Masonry Specialist. You'll gain extensive, hands-on experience in the construction and maintenance of rigging devices, building layout, framing, and fabrication, and assisting in combat engineer missions.

Through the use of your basic carpentry and masonry skills, your responsibilities will involve general heavy carpentry, structural steel, and masonry duties that include the fabrication, erection, maintenance, and repair of rigging devices, trusses, and other structural assemblies.

• Assist in the performance of combat engineer missions

• Basics in concrete technology, materials, proportioning, and control tests

• Proper use of finishing tools

• Edging, jointing, curing, and protection

• Basics in structure foaming, roofing, and flooring

• Enjoy doing physical work

• Interest in science and math

• Preference for working outdoors

• Interest in working with your hands

Through your training, you will develop the skills and experience to enjoy a civilian career in commercial and residential construction as a mason, carpenter, cement mason, concrete finisher, drywall installer, or ceiling tile installer. If you achieve an advanced level, you could hold positions such as foreman, shift manager, field supervisor, or inspector.

Instead of paying to learn these skills, get paid to train. In the Army National Guard, you will learn these valuable job skills while earning a regular paycheck and qualifying for tuition assistance.

After 10 weeks of Basic Training, where you will learn fundamental Soldiering skills, you will attend nine weeks of Advanced Individual Training (AIT), which includes a combination of hands-on and classroom training. As your skills increase, so will your responsibilities. Advanced Carpentry and Masonry Specialists take on more challenging projects, including training and supervising other Soldiers.

• Paid training
• A monthly paycheck
• Montgomery GI Bill
• Federal and State tuition assistance
• Retirement benefits for part-time service
• Low-cost life insurance (up to $400,000 in coverage)
• 401(k)-type savings plan
• Student Loan Repayment Program (up to $50,000, for existing loans)
• Health care benefits available
• VA home loans
• Bonuses, if applicable
• Most non-prior service candidates will earn between $200 and $250 per drill weekend, subject to change

• Military enlistment in the Army National Guard
• Must be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate
• Must be between the ages of 17 and 35
• Must be able to pass a physical exam and meet legal and moral standards
• Must meet citizenship requirements (see NATIONALGUARD.com for details)

Requires military enlistment. Programs and benefits are subject to change. Ask your Army National Guard recruiter for the most up-to-date information. Actual MOS assignment may depend on MOS availability.