Where can I find information on MT and HE mechanics, like the job requirements at the different echelon levels, job responsibilities, etc.?

SSgt Dan Montague — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 16:41:38 -0500

My company is a forklift repair facility. We are in need of skilled mechanics. I am pushing my boss to hire military. Can someone assist with information on mechanic MOS at the different echelon levels and responsibility at the rank levels. I know if mr E-3 is discharged after 2-3 years worked the tool room is a bad choice. What about the E-4 or E6? What experience would they have?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 3 at 2017 5:28 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 17:28:17 -0500

I can't speak for the other services, but in the Army it's going to be the 91 series MOS' that you're looking for...

91A M1 Abrams Tank System Maintainer (formerly 63A)
91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (formerly 63B)
91C Utilities Equipment Repairer (formerly 52C)
91D Power Generation Equipment Repairer (formerly 52D)
91E Allied Trades Specialist (formerly 91E and 91W)
91F Small Arms/Towed Artillery Repairer (formerly 45B)
91G Fire Control Repairer (formerly 45G)
91H Track Vehicle Repairer (formerly 63H)
91J Quartermaster and Chemical Equipment Repairer (formerly 63J)
91L Construction Equipment Repairer (formerly 62B)
91M Bradley Fighting Vehicle System Maintainer (formerly 63T)
91P Self Propelled Artillery Systems Maintainer (formerly 63D)
91S Stryker Systems Maintainer
91X Maintenance Supervisor (formerly 63X)
91Z Senior Maintenance Supervisor (formerly 63Z)

91L probably focuses most on the specific skill set you're looking for. All of the mechanics that I've worked with have been up to their elbows in it from E-1 - E-5. I've seen E-1 - E-6 manning tool rooms. E-5 - E-6 is where the supervisory roles usually start. How the duties are delegated to the ranks usually depends on who's available and what's available.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Mar 3 at 2017 6:08 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 18:08:31 -0500

A good find is a Construction Mechanic Seabee who's going reserve. They're into heavy equipment, diesel, hydraulics, etc. You tend to find some E-5 transition mostly due to getting married, having kids, settling down, etc.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Mar 3 at 2017 10:41 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 22:41:54 -0500

Face to face interviews is the way to go. Conducted by a Mechanic. I've discovered that everyone can write or has a marvelous resume thanks to ACAP and professional resume writers. I've hired Mechanics with 10 and 15 and 20 years in who turn out not to know a thing, (I refer to them as the E5 who hit the chair the day he was promoted and never picked up a wrench again) E4s who can spin a wrench like a maestro, SNCOs and CW3/4s who can't lead a person to water or interpret a simple maintenance report.
I'm glad you want to hire Military. There are a lot of experts out there. Just have to make sure you hire the right one. Read the resume, conduct interviews, hire a true mechanic who can also mentor and lead subordinates. There are lots out there.

Response by CPO Gregory Smith made Mar 3 at 2017 10:50 PM

CPO Gregory Smith — Fri, 03 Mar 2017 22:50:52 -0500

For CM's in the Seabees E-4 & E-5 are usually crew leaders. E-6 shop supervisor or even maintenance chief depending on the size of the detachment. I was a maintenance chief responsible for over 200 pieces of equipment spread out over Kuwait and Iraq as an E-6. When I picked up Chief, I was an Ops Chief and a Detachment AOIC. In the Navy/USMC family, we tend to give our younger folks a lot more responsibility than our Army/Air Force counterparts.

Response by CW2 Donald Kempf made Mar 4 at 2017 6:39 AM

CW2 Donald Kempf — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 06:39:36 -0500

From the Army, you are likely looking for Mechanics that worked in Support Maintenance (3rd Shop) as front line mechanics are pretty much limited to mostly preventative maintenance and consumable part replacements (Tires, filters, Oil changes and the like). Support maintenance gets into major repairs in the engine drive train et al so those are likely the skills you are looking for.

You might also want armor or heavy equipment mechanics as they would likely have more hydraulics experience.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Mar 4 at 2017 5:23 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 17:23:00 -0500

I here to tell you mechanics in military in the Grade E5 or Above that either work second Echelon at company Level or 3rd or Depot mechanics. I was a 63B30 I went to many military Schools and College and I work and replaced Engines Transmissions and Transfer cases Work on all Equipment Generators Forklifts Track Vechicles and More.
SSGT MARK FRANZEN
USA VET

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Mar 4 at 2017 5:52 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 17:52:40 -0500

Sorry Dan I work At Boeing in Everett Washington state I am not sure but I think they still should have
Mark

Response by Cpl Shane Stoneburner made Mar 23 at 2017 12:48 PM

Cpl Shane Stoneburner — Thu, 23 Mar 2017 12:48:55 -0400

Don't sell yourself short, some of our best mechs in the Marine Corps were E-2 and E-3s. For all echlon work.

Response by Sgt Chris Cook made Apr 19 at 2017 1:03 PM

Sgt Chris Cook — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 13:03:07 -0400

In an interview ask what level maint they performed. Line units usually perform 10 (operator pmcs) or 20 remove defective part and replace (end unit maint the first level you would consider a mechanic) or 30 level (sometimes known as depot maint, actually rebuilding components) the 10,20,30, etc refers to the last series of numbers on the technical manual ie operators manual TM 11-5820-401-10, the last 2 numerals indicate the maint level, or you can have a disassembled set of valves and tell them it's part of the interview. If they can reassemble it hire them, then tell them to tear it apart for the next guy.

Response by CN Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2017 4:54 AM

CN Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 May 2017 04:54:34 -0400

So E3 CM from the seabees after 3 years have plenty of experience with it because our job frame its anything from 11k skytracks to cargo trucks

Response by Cpl Brian Jones made May 13 at 2017 7:32 PM

Cpl Brian Jones — Sat, 13 May 2017 19:32:40 -0400

E-3 discharged in 4 years wasnt uncommon in the motor T fields especially for the operators. The cutting score for E-4 was closed almost 2 years in the early 2000's. Cpl Jones Ret. 3531 MOS

Response by CN Alan Wickham made Jul 28 at 2017 4:50 PM

CN Alan Wickham — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 16:50:16 -0400

As an e3 CM I did everything from tires to changing injector pumps and replacing final drives on cat dozers and everything between. Navy seabees are trained in all aspects of maintenance and repair. Would never be afraid to hire a seabees in any entry level job. Most are quite knowledgeable in their rates... .

Response by SN William Roberts made Jan 6 at 2018 1:58 PM

SN William Roberts — Sat, 06 Jan 2018 13:58:27 -0500

My apologies for being late to the discussion. I have to agree on using someone from the CM rate. Training is intense and they usually gain tons more experience on deployments.