Military Career: Transportation Maintenance Managers
Overview
The military's transportation system is made up of many different kinds of carriers, including ships, aircraft, trucks, and buses. Repair and maintenance schedules for each type of vehicle must be carefully planned and managed. Transportation maintenance managers direct personnel who repair and maintain the military¿s transportation equipment.
What They Do
Transportation maintenance managers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Direct repair shop and garage operations
- Set work schedules for repair shop staff
- Oversee the ordering and use of repair parts, equipment, and supplies
- Check repairs to make sure they are complete and finished on schedule
- Oversee the preparation of maintenance records and reports
- Develop maintenance standards and policies
- Plan and develop training programs for staff
Branches of the Military
Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
Helpful Attributes
Helpful fields of study include business administration, transportation management, vehicle and maintenance operations, and mechanical engineering. Helpful attributes include:
- Interest in developing detailed plans
- Interest in planning and directing the work of others
Training Provided
Job training consists of 16 to 22 weeks of classroom instruction. Course content typically includes:
- Management of aircraft or aircraft electronics (avionics) maintenance
- Management of vehicle, railroad, and other equipment maintenance
- Use of management information systems
Work Environment
Transportation maintenance managers work in offices located in maintenance yards, shops, and garages.
Special Requirements
A 4-year college degree is normally required to enter this occupation.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian transportation maintenance managers work in auto, bus, truck, and heavy construction equipment repair garages. They also work for aircraft service companies, aircraft builders, and commercial airline companies. They perform duties similar to those performed by military transportation maintenance managers. They may also be called maintenance superintendents.
Below is a list of similar civilian occupations:
Blue-Collar Worker Supervisors
Storage and Transportation Managers
Opportunities
The services have close to 5,000 transportation maintenance managers. Each year, they need new maintenance managers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, transportation maintenance managers gain experience managing maintenance personnel. In time, they may become managers of larger maintenance facilities and advance to command positions.
Source: U.S.
Department of Defense, Washington D.C.
