The military builds and repairs many airstrips, docks, barracks, roads, and other projects each year. Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians conduct land surveys, make maps, and prepare detailed plans and drawings for construction projects. Surveys and maps are also used to locate military targets and plot troop movements.
What They Do
Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Draw maps and charts using drafting tools and computers
- Make scale drawings of roads, airfields, buildings, and other military projects
- Conduct land surveys and compute survey results
- Draw diagrams for wiring and plumbing of structures
- Build scale models of land areas that show hills, lakes, roads, and buildings
- Piece together aerial photographs to form large photomaps
- Use global positioning systems to collect location information from satellites
Helpful Attributes
Helpful school subjects include algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to convert ideas into drawings
- Interest in maps and charts
- Interest in working with drafting equipment and computers
Training Provided
Job training consists of classroom instruction, depending on specialty. Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. Course content typically includes:
- Surveying and drafting techniques
- Aerial photo interpretation
- Architectural and structural drawing
Work Environment
Surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians work both indoors and outdoors in all climates and weather conditions. Those assigned to engineering units sometimes work outdoors with survey teams. Those assigned to intelligence units may work on ships as well as on land.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian surveying, mapping, and drafting technicians work for construction, engineering, and architectural firms and government agencies such as the highway department. Their work is used for planning construction projects such as highways, airport runways, dams, and drainage systems. They are also called cartographic technicians, and photogrammetrists.
