After high school, Wurzelbacher enlisted in the United States Air Force, and chose plumbing (Air Force Specialty Code 3E451, or Utility Systems Specialist) as his area of training.[4] He was stationed in Alaska and North Dakota. Wurzelbacher left the Air Force in 1996 and worked as a plumber’s assistant, but then switched careers and started working for the telecommunications company Global Crossing.
He was trained in plumbing and had some limited experience.