Monday, June 6, 2011

Vietnam -- Petroleum Supply Specialist

Watercraft, aircraft, trucks, tanks and other Army vehicles simply can't run without fuel and oil. Petroleum-based products, such as oil, fuel and compressed gas, need special storage and handling. It's up to the Petroleum Supply Specialists to take charge of the proper storage and shipment of these products.

Petroleum Supply Specialists are primarily responsible for supervising and managing the reception, storage and shipping of bulk or packaged petroleum-based products. Some of your duties as a Petroleum Supply Specialist may include:
  • Receive and stock bulk and package POL products
  • Issue and dispense bulk fuels and water from storage and distribution facilities to using units
  • Select and submit samples of POL to laboratory for testing
  • Perform petroleum and water accounting duties
  • Operate equipment associated with petroleum and water distribution system and multi-product pipeline system
  • Fuel and defuel vehicles, aircraft and stationary equipment
  • Take emergency precautions to prevent harm to self and facilities in event of petroleum spillage or fire

Training

Job training for a Petroleum Supply Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 11 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in using petroleum. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:
  • Testing oil and fuels
  • Operating airplane refueling systems and equipment
  • Operating pumps, pipelines and tanker equipment
  • Planning and scheduling petroleum transport
  • Safety regulations and procedures for handling dangerous materials
  • The Army offers certified apprenticeship programs for some specialties in this occupation.
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Helpful Skills

Helpful attributes include:
  • An interest in working with machines and equipment
  • An ability to follow spoken instructions
  • An interest in shop mechanics and business math
  • A preference for physical work
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Advanced Responsibilities

Advanced level Petroleum Supply Specialist provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Petroleum Supply Specialist, you may be involved in:
  • Assign duties
  • Spot check work quality
  • Determine source of product contamination in storage areas and pipelines
  • Direct reclamation and disposition for petroleum products
  • Assure adherence to safety procedures
  • Ensure that efficient, clean and safe work environments are maintained
  • Supervise aircraft refueling and defueling operations
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Related Civilian Jobs

The skills you learn as a Petroleum Supply Specialist will help prepare you for a civilian career with oil refineries, pipeline companies and tanker truck and ship lines.

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