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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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... .

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

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

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.

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

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