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Military Career: Automotive and Heavy Equipment Mechanics

 

Overview

Keeping automotive and heavy equipment in good working condition is vital to the success of military missions. Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics maintain and repair vehicles such as jeeps, cars, trucks, tanks, and other combat vehicles. They also repair bulldozers, power shovels, and other construction equipment.

What They Do

Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Troubleshoot problems in vehicle engines, electrical systems, steering, brakes, and suspensions Tune and repair engines
  • Replace or repair damaged body parts, hydraulic arms or shovels, and grader blades
  • Establish and follow schedules for maintaining vehicles

Branches of the Military

Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include auto mechanics and industrial arts. Helpful attributes include:

  • Interest in automotive engines and how they work
  • Interest in troubleshooting and repairing mechanical problems
  • Preference for physical work

Training Provided

Job training consists of 8 to 29 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty. Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses. Course content typically includes:

  • Engine repair and tune-up
  • Troubleshooting mechanical and electrical problems
  • Repairing and replacing body panels, fenders, and radiators

Physical Demands

Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics have to lift heavy parts and tools. They sometimes have to work in cramped positions. Normal color vision is required for some specialties to work with color-coded wiring and to read diagrams.

Work Environment

Automotive and heavy equipment mechanics usually work inside large repair garages. They work outdoors when making emergency repairs in the field.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian automotive and heavy equipment mechanics may work for service stations, auto and construction equipment dealers, farm equipment companies, and state highway agencies. They perform duties similar to military automotive and heavy equipment mechanics. They may also be called garage mechanics, transmission mechanics, radiator mechanics, or construction equipment mechanics.

Below is a list of similar civilian occupations:

Automobile Mechanics
Bus and Truck Mechanics
Farm Equipment Mechanics
Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Opportunities

The services have about 45,000 automotive and heavy equipment mechanics. Each year, they need new mechanics due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, mechanics begin repairing equipment under the direction of a supervisor. In time, they have the opportunity to supervise other workers and possibly manage repair shops, motor pools, or maintenance units.


Source: U.S. Department of Defense, Washington D.C.