I am a prior service Marine joining the Army (15T) as a Sgt. Is there a minimum/maximum rank you must be to become a crew chief?

Sgt Travis Smith — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 21:12:58 -0500

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Mar 6 at 2018 9:30 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 21:30:44 -0500

No, but it helps to learn the bird first.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 6 at 2018 11:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Mar 2018 23:12:58 -0500

There’s no minimum. Some units don’t fly anyone above SSG or SFC.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2018 3:38 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 15:38:48 -0500

No minimum to be a crew chief. Not sure about max. Just gotta be knowledgeable or have an eagerness to learn.

Response by Sgt Travis Smith made Mar 7 at 2018 4:55 PM

Sgt Travis Smith — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 16:55:27 -0500

Also, will I be treated like the average boot asshole in AIT even though I have 5 years of prior Marine Corps service? Not looking forward to that, if so... lol

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Mar 16 at 2018 11:24 AM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Fri, 16 Mar 2018 11:24:05 -0400

No minimums to be a crew chief, and if you stay in long enough to make SFC then you can still fly as a PLT SGT. I am retiring this month and was still flying up until my unit deployed and took all their toys with them. Welcome to Army Aviation and Semper Fly!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2018 10:52 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 08 Aug 2018 10:52:50 -0400

There is no minimum or really max for being a crew chief. Typically flight companies choose the most competent and motivated soldiers from the D Co to move over. Once in a flight company you will stay until you are at least a SSG. At that point you may move to the QC shop or maintenance PLT in D Co to lead maintenance until you ate selected for SFC. Then it is quite possible you are back to the Flight Company to be a PLT SGT and continue your flight career. Beyond that it is 1SG time, however I have even had 1SGs who still crewed the aircraft and we're on flight status. I have even CSMs crew as door gunners on deployments to assist the flight companies and give the crew chiefs much needed time off. Learn the aircraft and stay motivated. AIT you "should" be in a prior service company and treated as such. You will go to class with the PVTs but "should" be treated like an NCO in all other aspects. I will verify this with former crew chiefs who are now at Ft. Eustis teaching the course. Good luck and if you have any other questions please ask.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 10 at 2019 12:14 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:14:52 -0400

Are you high speed low drag?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2020 6:26 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:26:38 -0400

Well you need to pass all the flight stuff first , and also welcome to the dark side .
You’ll need waivers for your school for rank as well.