Hi all,

As I am trying to decide which aviation MOS to enlist to, I'd be curious to hear to your thoughts and comments from your experiences.

If I had to choose between: 15R, 15S, 15T, 15B, 15D, 15H, 5F, and 15G
Which one would you recommend ? Any hints/tips, heads-up, and things to avoid ?

Also, which of these would have good prospects later in the civilian world ? (For example all of them are listed at www.cool.army.mil for allowing A&P certification, but which ones are trully more compatible with A&P civilian jobs ? I am thinking 15F would be more of a stretch than, say, 15S ?)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: 21073661,

Speaking as a former 15G(68G when I was in) Working the sheetmetal shop, which what the MOS's nickname is, I had alot of fun with it, but as aviation goes we really don't do much, which is funny considering the 15G AIT is one of the hardest MOS's in the Army, true story. See here is the kicker 15G, has alot of free thinking to it. All of the other MOS's in the Aviation field has a set of guidelines that cover everything. 15G doesn't. You would be amazed at how many different ways there are to repair an airframe, and most I done. Now the downside to Airframe is the fact that of the aviatoin MOS's it is the hardest one to get clearance for flight suit issue, it can be done, it just takes some fast talking. Why do I bring this up. Well because speaking as a guy who was in his early 20's when he got his wings, women don't see the enlisted wings. They see flight suit with wings. I know it sounds silly but its not it has benies. Thats an airframe point of view

wait. women like aviators?

Amazing I know, but since getting out my wife has stated on several occasions that she miss's seeing me in those, although if everything goes accordig to plan I will be rejoining soon.

What, no 15U is there? Where's the love?

Seriously, Chinooks are the shiznit, man. As for future prospects, if you can fix Chinooks, you can pretty much fix anything. Also, you can be picked-up for flight duty in this MOS too.

The pickle-suits are all but gone. Aircrews are wearing the AACU now.

Matt
SPC, US Army
15U

I didn't have love for the Crew Cheifs, I had Envy. Mad Matt has a point. See the "Shops" jobs you learn one aspect of all helicopters but are never really able to master one aircraft. If you have the option and availability and if I had it to do again I would have gone Crew Cheif. Also their promotion points don't sit at 798 for very long. At least not in the 90's

I am currently a 15H with the guard. i can tell you that i myself have yet to touch a piece of hydraulic equipment (excepting AT) and every 15H NCO that i have talked to has said pretty much the same of it. Chinooks, i hear, tend to give you more work but i wouldn't know as my unit fly's 60's. the story i usually get is that 15H usually spend their time learning other peoples jobs in the shop, so if you want to be a jack-of-all trades, that might be the MOS for you. speaking of civilian job relevance, i know that several of our 15N work full time on airline avionics and make fairly good money doing so, maybe check that route out?

I was assigned with several AVIM Units and I can tell you that everyone was getting nervous when there wasn't fluid leaking in a Chinook, because it mean that it was out.

Anyone posting or lurking, speaking as a Vet trying to get back into aviation (Looks like we have a better chance of my hair growning back naturally I'm Combat Arms bound if I can get back in). Aviation is a wonderful world, yes your promotion points will sit at 798 forever, but you will enjoy the life style.

quote:

Originally posted by Mezagog:
I was assigned with several AVIM Units and I can tell you that everyone was getting nervous when there wasn't fluid leaking in a Chinook, because it mean that it was out.

Anyone posting or lurking, speaking as a Vet trying to get back into aviation (Looks like we have a better chance of my hair growning back naturally I'm Combat Arms bound if I can get back in). Aviation is a wonderful world, yes your promotion points will sit at 798 forever, but you will enjoy the life style.

Yes, it is true-- if a 'Hook isn't leaking some type of fluid, it's a bad thing!

Promotion points for 15U go up and down frequently. When I was in AIT, the points for E-5 were at 350. A couple months ago they were up at 798 for Secondary Zone (where I am now). I think they went back down to 450 or 500-something. So there IS some movement. Can't say that about every Aviation MOS.

Everdai1: yes, almost everything on the 'Hook is hydraulically assisted or operated. Our hydro shop gets plenty of work with our birds!

Matt
SPC, US Army
15U

As a former 15T who got out and spent a while working the civilian side, 15T or 15U is the way to go if you want your A&P and a good chance of performing flight duties. MOS's 15N-15X can transfer experience to get tickets for Airframe and Powerplant test all other MOS's only tranfer to one or the other depending on duties and have to take additional courses to test for the other. To see what license a MOS is good for check out FAA.gov. I was a Tango for 8 yrs and loved it.

quote:

Originally posted by 21073661:
...which of these would have good prospects later in the civilian world ? (For example all of them are listed at www.cool.army.mil for allowing A&P certification, but which ones are trully more compatible with A&P civilian jobs ? I am thinking 15F would be more of a stretch than, say, 15S ?)

Here is the link that 15TtoAnP is referring to. I am thinking of switching over from 11B to 15G. I know it's not a "glamour job", but it sounds pretty cool and I could definitely transfer those skills when I build my own airplane.

I could care less about trying to impress anyone, wearing a flight suit, getting promoted, or pinning anything on my chest. Life's too short to stress over stupid stuff like that. I would like to eventually get my A&P licenses, but I don't have any intention of working as a full time A&P. I just want the training and certs for my own use.

The bottom line is that I just want to enjoy my job and have fun. That's it. Seriously.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: modernicarus,

quote:

Originally posted by Mad_Matt:
What, no 15U is there? Where's the love?

Seriously, Chinooks are the shiznit, man.

Same goes for 15Y... But you haven't seen Apaches yet...

well speaking from a current 15T postion i would agree that enlisting into a job on an aircraft that is needs crewchiefs, 15t and 15u and the new LUH-72 aircrafts all need crewchiefs. u start as a mechanic like i did and try for crewchief like i did, i just got it but u may get it right off the bat, not a guarantee but is possible. get to know the pilots very well too, one day u may want to go to flight school, nice to get letters of recomendation, bottom line crewchief or not, ALWAYS do ur job right! and dont be afraid to ask questions, as a maintainer ur job is to be taken very seriously.

quote:

Originally posted by GregSagram:
well speaking from a current 15T postion i would agree that enlisting into a job on an aircraft that is needs crewchiefs, 15t and 15u and the new LUH-72 aircrafts all need crewchiefs. u start as a mechanic like i did and try for crewchief like i did, i just got it but u may get it right off the bat, not a guarantee but is possible. get to know the pilots very well too, one day u may want to go to flight school, nice to get letters of recomendation, bottom line crewchief or not, ALWAYS do ur job right! and dont be afraid to ask questions, as a maintainer ur job is to be taken very seriously.

+5

If you're a helicopter maintainer, you do your job right, by the book! No cutting corners. As a maintainer, if you don't do your job right/to spec, people can die. You don't want to be responsible for 30+ people dying in a twisted mess of sheetmetal and flaming JP-8.

Matt
SPC, AV
US Army
OCS Selectee
Class 303-09