Diver (21D)
Intelligence and Combat Support Army MOS Information

Posted Friday, November 25, 2005

• Enlisted
• Active Duty
• Army Reserve

Not all Army operations take place on land. Sometimes, repair, construction and patrolling take place beneath the surface. An engineering Diver in the Army performs such tasks as reconnaissance, demolition and salvage, all while being underwater.

As an Army Diver, you'll specialize either as a scuba diver, who works just below the surface of the water, or as a deep sea diver, who usually works for long periods of time in depths up to 300 feet.

Some of your duties as a Diver may include:

• Inspecting and cleaning watercraft propellers and hulls
• Patching damaged watercraft hulls using underwater welding equipment
• Salvaging sunken equipment
• Patrolling the waters below watercraft at anchor
• Assisting with underwater construction of piers and harbor facilities
• Surveying rivers, beaches, and harbors for underwater obstacles
• Using explosives to clear underwater obstacles

Requirements:

Divers must be excellent swimmers and be physically strong.

Training:

Job training for a Diver consists of nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 36 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in diving and repair work. More information about Army Diver training can be found here. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

• Principles of scuba diving
• Underwater welding and cutting
• Use and care of hand and power tools
• Maintenance of diving equipment

Helpful Skills:

Helpful attributes include:

• An interest in mechanics and building
• Ability to stay calm under stress
• An interest in underwater diving
• A high degree of self-reliance

Advanced Responsibilities:

Advanced level Divers supervise and train soldiers in the same discipline. As an advanced level Diver, you may be involved in:

• Performing as a lead diver during underwater work
• Preparing patching materials and pumps for salvage operations
• Preparing explosives for placement
• Preparing rigging and lifting devices for salvage operations
• Assisting diving supervisors in preparing equipment for diving operations