I am going into the 63A M1 Abrams Tank Maintainer Career, and it’s very different than what I used to do in the AF. So, naturally I had some questions and concerns.

1) What are the current Permanent Duty Stations for this type of MOS?

2) I recently viewed a Discovery Channel Documentary about the MOS, and I saw literally NO military personnel in the Repair Depot. So am I going into a career field that is going to be out sourced and I find myself in a useless job? So what do the military counter parts do, alongside their civilian ones?

Also, for those military members still in this career field, how do you like it? Do you not like it? What are the Pros and Cons of this job?

Thanks to those with answers and comments.

I'll be going into this field as an E-5 as well…Thanks

You could always be 63B Light wheel vehicle mechanic as we get heavily used to repair/maintain everything wheeled with tires. Don't know much about 63A other than I think the school is at Fort Knox.

Depot? At the depot level, most jobs are civilians. Think smaller. You''ll more than likely be assigned to an Armored or a Cav Company. You could be assigned to an 88. Recovering M-1's from the field. Just as MMman said. Probably be doing wheeled vehicle work also.

Well, thanks for the information, and sorry for my choice in using "Depot", my fault for using spell check when I should have used a dictionary.
But, Thanks for the heads up, I’ve done a lot in the as far as careers go, from being in Air Transportation to Security Forces in the AF, so this is a new path for me to tread down. And I’m looking forward to this change in my life.
If you have any other information it’s always appreciated. I know the main AIT /Post is located at Ft Knox KY, but what are the others? Just trying to get a general idea of where I could be sent…Thanks.

63A is a feeder to 63E M1 Abrams Automotive Mechanic. You'll be responsible for organizational maintenance and repair on the hull components of the vehicle, plus maintenance of other support vehicles in the company/squadron. Repairs requiring special tools or expertise are sent to Direct Support. MOS 45E is the counterpart on the turret systems, then at E-6, the skills combine and you will know both systems.

I was originally a 63F Recovery Specialist, but in the 70's they changed the career field and integrated recovery as an additional skill. I was assigned to an armor battalion, so I was converted to 63E. I loved tanks, and the style of maneuver. It's all perspective, I suppose.

Assignments are somewhat limited, to where the tanks are, i.e. Knox, Hood, Bliss, Germany & Korea. I did do some teaching time at Aberdeen and Knox.

I was a 63E from 86-89, it was changed to 63A a few years back when they combined 63E and 45E and made it one MOS...but now they are changing it again, I believe the new MOS is going to be 91A. I also had the H8 ASI, so if you get a chance to go to H8 school after AIT jump on it...Recovery is where you want to be.