Marine Corps Water Support Technician (MOS 1171)

Water support technicians install, operate, inspect, and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on pumps, water filtration/purification equipment, water storage/distribution systems, and laundry and shower facilities. They conduct and evaluate water surveys, water reconnaissance, and water quality analysis, as well as establish, maintain, and close sanitation systems.

MOS 1171 and Humanitarian Assistance 

When on Humanitarian Assistance and Civil-Military Operations, water support technicians also plan, install, and repair the plumbing systems of structures. These duties include:

• Cutting, bending, and threading pipes
• Joining pipes using screws, bolts, fittings, solder, and plastic solvent
• Cleaning tanks and filter beds using backwashing
• Testing water to determine acidity, impurities, turbidity, and conductivity
• Regulating the flow of raw water for treatment while mixing it with specified amounts of chemicals (i.e., alum, coagulate, chlorine, ammonia, and lime) in the filtration/purification process

Noncommissioned officers are afforded the opportunity to attend the Advanced Water Support Technician course that provides in-depth instruction on the requirements of the Uniform Plumbing Code and the planning of water support.

An apprenticeship program, leading to the U.S. Department of Labor certification as a Journey Worker, is available to water support technicians under the United Services Military Apprenticeship Program (USMAP).

USMC Water Support Technician Job Details and Requirements

• Must possess a Mechanical Maintenance, Construction, Utility, and Chemical Maintenance (hazmat) (MM) score of 95 or higher
• Complete the Basic Water Support Technician Course Corps Engineer School, Camp LeJeune, NC
• Must have normal color vision
• Must meet the physical requirements in Chapter 4 of TM 11275-15/4

Type of MOS: PMOS

Rank Range: SSgt to Pvt

Related Marine Corps Jobs: None.

Related Department of Labor Occupation Codes

The Dictionary of Occupational Titles standardized occupational information to support job placement activities. To properly match jobs and workers, the public employment service system requires that a uniform occupational language is used in all of its local job service offices.

• Plumber 862.381-030
• Laundry Worker 11 361.685-018
• Laundry Operator 369.684-014
• Laundry Machine Mechanic 629.261-010
• Pump Servicer 630.281-018
• Treatment Plant Mechanic 630.281-038
• Pump Installer 630.684-018
• Pump Station Operator, Waterworks 954.382-014
• Water Treatment Plant Operator 954.382-014

Civilian Credentials Related to Water Support Technician

In the Marine Corps, credentials such as certifications and licenses are part of training. Credentials show that you meet important standards in your USMC job, but also that your skills are on par with those required in the civilian world. Credentials help you translate your military training and experience into resume-ready qualifications that employers can easily recognize. Having the credentials that are required for jobs in your field makes you more competitive in the job market and more likely to get hired. It makes transitioning back to civilian employment smoother.

These credentials are related to the water support technician's training and may require additional education, training, or experience.

• Building Construction: Water/Wastewater Plants - Level I
• Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD)
• Certified Pump Installer (CPI)
• Certified Quality Improvement Associate (CQIA)
• Certified Quality Technician (CQT)
• Certified Water Technologist (CWT)
• Commercial Plumbing Inspector - P2
• Distribution Operator - Class I
• Physical/Chemical Industrial Waste Operator - Class I
• Plumbing Plans Examiner - P3
• Very Small Water System Operator
• Wastewater Laboratory Analyst - Class I
• Wastewater Treatment Operator - Class IV
• Water Treatment Operator - Class I

 Information derived from MCBUL 1200, parts 2 and 3.