Has anyone had experience with the 15Y MOS or worked with these guys? If so, what were your experiences?

Gary Henson — Tue, 23 May 2017 21:37:12 -0400

15Y is armament, electrical, avionic systems repairmen. I'm excited but I have no idea what to expect. My recruiter said I might not make this reserve due to paper work issues and that I might get to change if it doesn't happen in time. Are there better 15 series Jobs than this? (Better meaning higher work satisfaction/quality of life) Thanks guys

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 9:40 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 21:40:51 -0400

Do what you want to do first off. AIT is 6 months if you can get through that I think you'll like this MOS it's a great atmosphere in most cases. When and if you get to your first unit it will be completely different from training. 15R is an Apache mechanic. goodluck.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 9:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 21:41:37 -0400

Armament is the bastard children of Army Aviation. But it's the best job there is. You will work your ass off with little recognition, but when that hog takes off to go rain down some hate on those who threaten freedom, it will all be worth it. Proud Armament Dawg for 16 years, I wouldn't trade it for anything

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 10:33 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 22:33:00 -0400

I guess no one else here will tell you what a Crewdog is but I would look into 15T and 15U best jobs in the army. I couldn't count all the times I've taxied past the armament and apache "crewchiefs" in my bird and watched their look of envy. Not only do Blackhawk and chinook maintainers work on their helicopters they also crew on them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2017 8:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:54:27 -0400

I definitely agree with CW2 Private RallyPoint Member . T and U are probably the best you can get in aviation. You get to see a lot of interesting things and meet all kinds of interesting people. Flying isn't for everyone though and getting into that program consumes a lot more of your life than if you're just mounting missiles and rockets or chasing wires. Stateside it can be kind of slow sometimes because your just sitting there clearing left or right but overseas the optempo is a lot higher and in my opinion being in an aircraft is second only to getting shot at when it comes to the thrill and adrenaline factor. One day you could be ferrying generals and politicians, the next you could be doing air assaults and dropping speed balls. I've never found myself lacking job satisfaction since I became a T.

Response by SP5 Bj Ogden made May 25 at 2017 1:33 PM

SP5 Bj Ogden — Thu, 25 May 2017 13:33:25 -0400

Did 6 years as a 68Y/15Y. This job is absolutely the best. Small tight knit community that takes care of one another. Worked with SSG McNichol when were just young dawgs and we had a blast. I have worked on a ton of airframes and the AH-64 is by far my favorite one to this day. Good luck!

Response by COL Robert Notch made May 25 at 2017 2:23 PM

COL Robert Notch — Thu, 25 May 2017 14:23:53 -0400

All good responses here. I would add that you consider 15T or 15U if you plan to get out at some point and join the National Guard or Army Reserve. The most recent restructuring of aviation leaves primarily Blackhawks and Chinooks in the RC. If you are locked in to 15Y, don't worry. You can most likely get a transition to 15T or 15U after you join the RC unit.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2017 5:58 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 May 2017 17:58:30 -0400

15Y is Apache Armament. Any ARMT Dawg will tell you that it is definitely a great job. You will not fly with the aircraft. The promotion from SSG to SFC is a tough one. You will see a lot of other 15 series MOS get promoted around you. I eventually made SFC and I would not trade my experiences, both good and bad, for anything. I am a bit partial though. If you enjoy weapons, electrical troubleshooting, and hard work it will be a good fit. Like any other job in the Army your unit and attitude will make or break you. I used to be a Tank mechanic and I enjoyed it, but Army Aviation is definitely a better world.

Response by SSG Stephen Gillard made May 29 at 2017 7:13 PM

SSG Stephen Gillard — Mon, 29 May 2017 19:13:17 -0400

If you want a crew chief role go 15T/15U. If you like electrical, cleaning guns you never get to fire, and humping rockets and missles then 15J/15Y is your field. Not everyday is clear, blue, 22. I worked my butt off for my 3,000+ combat flight hours. I have also turned dozens of phases on every model of Blackhawk the army has.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2017 7:50 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 May 2017 19:50:51 -0400

Are you currently serving or a civilian wanting to join? I used to be a recruiter and now back to the operational army as a 15U. I was a crewmember on chinooks and blackhawks and can tell you about all the 15 series jobs and what to expect
With each of them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 30 at 2017 2:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 May 2017 14:46:29 -0400

If you really want 15T or 15U tell the person at MEPS you won't take any other MOS. The guy told me 15T wasn't "available" and I said that's okay I'll just go home. He made a phone call, huge shocker there was an available slot. I'm not saying all MEPS personnel are dishonest but they have motives too. Don't compromise your aspirations, you are the one who the decision effects not the guy at MEPS. As far as I'm concerned 15T is the best job in the army, I loved flying, instructing and maintenance and all that was possible because I held out for the job I wanted.

Response by SPC Brian Rowley made Jun 6 at 2017 4:45 PM

SPC Brian Rowley — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 16:45:37 -0400

I did 6 years. I loved it. Lot of technical stuff though. In Afghanistan I was more of a general aircraft electrician who specialized in apaches. Got me off base a lot though. I didn't want to be a fobbit so I took every mission off base possible. Unfortunately I was mainly able to do that because I started as a 15 X which is closer to being able to work on all helicopters in the army. You will be tying everyone else up. If you're natl guard promotions are kind of hard however

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 10:55 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 22:55:36 -0400

Awsome job

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2017 11:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 23:13:06 -0400

I was guard for 10 yrs we were suppose to get appaches but we did not i was sent to 68xray school half way trained but never worked out. If you can work with armament on the apache do it. No regrets its unbelievable

Response by SGT Robert Gragg made Jun 17 at 2017 8:53 AM

SGT Robert Gragg — Sat, 17 Jun 2017 08:53:38 -0400

I was a 15T and I loved it. If you want to keep your feet planted on the geound and only work on them, Yankee is the way to go... willing to fly, work long days and get to see the world from a view not many people get? Go TANGO!!!

Response by PFC Justin Parker made Jul 1 at 2017 12:39 PM

PFC Justin Parker — Sat, 01 Jul 2017 12:39:48 -0400

No better job than an Apache armament Dawg Hooah

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2017 4:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 16:33:08 -0400

I am a 15y, its a good job, its alot of work and alot of different systems you have to know and trouble shoot. You will always be in aviation so yes better quality of life but you will work hard, you will work in elements and you will never get to fly but i enjoy it. I wouldn't change my mos, i would hold out until you can get the mos you want.

Response by SPC Jason McDonald made Jan 21 at 2018 12:37 AM

SPC Jason McDonald — Sun, 21 Jan 2018 00:37:41 -0500

I spent 6 years on active duty as a 68Y/15Y. I would say that the armament dawgs definitely have the most fun of any of the aviation maintenance jobs. Plus you get vital training on night vision systems and that can be useful after the military. Once I got out I worked as a contractor on aircraft in Afghanistan and also stateside in a really technical electrical field, all due to my 15Y training. All the aviation maintenance jobs are great so go with the job you feel is the most interesting.

Response by PFC John Coble Jr made Feb 2 at 2018 2:31 AM

PFC John Coble Jr — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 02:31:05 -0500

15d10

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 1:08 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 13:08:33 -0500

I wouldn't recommend going 15Y because there are rank limitations involved. The best option would be 15U, especially if you can make it to flight company. It's a high workload career path, but you get to enjoy more benefits.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 11:32 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 23:32:52 -0400

Yea, you don't want that for long. You are going to get the itch to fly. Those AH-64s look cool and it might sound cool that you work on them but its not like you get to fly in them. The have so much technology in them half the time they are grounded. UH-60 or CH-47. Tango or Uniform is the way to go. It all depends what your looking for. 15Y are a tight group cause they hang around together being jealous of the T and U.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2018 7:05 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 09 Nov 2018 19:05:26 -0500

Stay with backshops or armament. Specifically airframe, powertrain, powerplant, hydraulics, or avionics. If you're in that field and want to stay in aviation civilian side, you've already got both feet in the door. Just get your tickets from the FAA. Any company will soak you up with 6 years experience, no questions asked. You'll take a hit on salary, but almost every employer will be eager to pay for your A&P cert.

Response by SP6 Vincent Ramsey made Sep 12 at 2023 10:13 PM

SP6 Vincent Ramsey — Tue, 12 Sep 2023 22:13:11 -0400

Former 15y responding. I spent 16 years in this MOS and enjoyed every moment of it.