How beneficial is having a vocational school education for certain MOS’s in the military?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 22:26:23 -0500

I have considered joining the military after I graduate high school in addition to graduating from vocational school. Currently I am enrolled in a two year machine and fabrication course at said vocational school, and how I could best utilize this education in becoming a Allied Trade Specialist in the Army or working in Aircraft Metals Technology. I’ve talked to a few recruiters that come to my high school from the Army and Army National Guard but I haven’t talked to them about above careers. I was also wondering what the demand for certified machinists were in the military.

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made Feb 29 at 2020 10:29 PM

SPC Richard Zacke — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 22:29:41 -0500

absolutley!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2020 11:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 23:05:29 -0500

There's a thing called the Army Civilian Acquired Skills Program (ACASP). I can't get army publishing directorate to open tonight for some reason to give you something to read, but basically if you have verifiable skills/education that you picked up in the civilian world, you can benefit from it if you enlist.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 1 at 2020 1:25 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 01 Mar 2020 01:25:44 -0500

PFC Private RallyPoint Member So the Army rolled two MOSs, 44B Welder and 44E Machinist into 91E Allied Trades Specialist. They are in high demand in a Maintenance Company. They are in the process of fielding a containerized CNC capability so units can fabricate high demand zero balance parts (i.e. Not readily available) at the tactical level. The other function that gets lumped with this shop is recovery, it is often called the Service and Recovery section, so they recover downed and battle loss vehicles. Often welding and cutting is involved in getting it recovered. They also participate in battle damage assessment and repair (quick fixes to get more combat power into the fight through improvised repairs).

One of the biggest things my 44Es did in the field was bolt extraction and thread repair. Helicoils, taps, dies, drilling out bolts. My S&R section did tons of metal fabrication for various welding and machining projects. We had manual vertical mills, horizontal band saws, vertical band saw, drill presses and lathes. For welding we had arc, MIG, TIG, plasma cutters, Oxy-Acetylene. As a matter of course we fabricated picket pounders, tire cages for split rims, spare tire mounts, drip-pans etc in advance of orders. They worked closely with our other sections to support other maintenance activities with Allied trades.

Many of my soldiers who,left the Army were hired in this industry. One became an underwater welder.

https://www.army.mil/article/159658/advanced_shop_sets_for_soldiers_advanced_skill_sets

Advanced shop sets for Soldiers' advanced skill sets

The metal working and machining shop set provides a full suite of tools for Soldiers trained to operate both welding and machining equipment.

Response by Sgt James Gross made Mar 2 at 2020 4:43 PM

Sgt James Gross — Mon, 02 Mar 2020 16:43:55 -0500

Talk to an Air Force Recruiter and find out, that’s what I would do in your place. That way you will know what the recruitment for that specialty is.