OT perhaps a new tractor mechanic?

As most of you know, I've been a military mechanic until I retired the first of this month. My son, whom I do love, has been less than impressive with his decisions. He may be on track, finally. Even though I have been a sea service man(first 9.5 with the Navy and since 2000 in the USCG), I can respect those who serve in the Army. This week my wife and I had enough. Her brother is 57 and still lives off his mommy. My wife's first marriage ended because her ex husband could never understand the idea that as an adult there were responsibilities, so you know she has to be concerned that doing nothing and living off us could actually be his long term plan. Today I took him to the National Guard recruiter. He goes to Memphis on Tuesday for the MEPS. I was a little surprised when he told the recruiter that he wanted to be infantry, and I talked him out of that. I told him that with all the fields that the Army uses, he had to want something more like a regular skill, afterall if you're in the Army, everyone is a rifleman. It looks like he will be taking Wheel & Track. I say congrats on the first decision that hasn't been stupid on his part, which is to say that if this works out for him, I'll be very proud of him. He knows that his unit is slated to deploy in 2013 for Afghanistan, and the recruiter had to tell him that until he completes Boot Camp & AIT he can't request a deployment with a unit going sooner. I remember after the Gulf War when I wanted to get right back on another float, but that was Navy and I was single(Overseas girls loved American sailors), but that will change after he's done a bunch of deployments. I'm pretty glad about how this.

Bob,Thank for your service.We are proud of your son for his upcomming service.The military will make him"grow up"!My son joined the Navy at 17(4 years ago),the difference in maturity level is amazing.I be lieve every young person should serve.Unfortunatly I did not serve.

I did one year with the Navy reserve while I was waiting to join the USCG. Everyone, except me, worked at the same two companies, PineTree Distributors and the Belfast Police department. I told him Tim, my son, that he should be open to working with the guys from his unit while he's not deployed. I'm just thrilled that he is finally making a decision that isn't stupid. Tell your son, that we appreciate his service. What's his rate?

LOL Bob you got it a bit cornfused, it's the Marines where everyone is a rifleman. Your son will go into basic training which teaches the basics. Then he will attend advanced individual training (AIT). The Army breaks down mechanics a bit different too. You have light wheel (63B) and heavy (63S). Unfortunately they are not readily transferable job skills because all lower unit mechanics are allowed to do is trouble shoot and change components. As a company (Co), battalion (Bn) or support level mechanic they don't get to rebuild engines or tranny's. Major component rebuilds are done a depot level shops by civilian employees. Army goes from crew/operator level (very low) and includes per during and after ops check and services. The crew/operator also assists the mechanics when their vehicle is being worked on. CO and Bn level mechanics do minor repairs, perform services on vehicles and assist support level mechanics with major componant replacement. Support mechanics can do some things like change a head gasket.

Hope it all works out for your son!

Rick

I've worked in truck shops with Army vet wheel & track, and they for the most part are good mechanics. Not as good as me, I tell them, yet, still pretty good. I had a friend that worked a truck shop with me in Norfolk, and I use to tell him that he was the second best mechanic I knew, and he learned the trade in the Army.

(quoted from post at 23:15:44 10/26/11) I've worked in truck shops with Army vet wheel & track, and they for the most part are good mechanics. Not as good as me, I tell them, yet, still pretty good. I had a friend that worked a truck shop with me in Norfolk, and I use to tell him that he was the second best mechanic I knew, and he learned the trade in the Army.

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Bob nothing stops them from attending night school at the Army ed center and a lot of em do to learn the things that the Army isn't teaching and to pick up ASE certs. A lot of the guys are good mechanics, they just don't get to do much at least in active units. That is one of the reasons the Army has trouble keeping the really good mechanics, most of these guys thought they were going to be working on interesting stuff and doing things like rebuilds. And it only takes a few years and then they are supervising and not really doing the any work except pushing paper. The real gear heads are not fond of the up or out concept of the Army.

Rick

Bob, I didn't know you were a Mainer.

I'm up the coast a ways from ya.

My Grandson went through the same evolution, and at 20 years old was headed for a lifetime of minimum wage jobs and living hand-to-mouth.

He's now a Marine, out of MCT and awaiting the start of his MOS school at Camp Johnson. Something to do with combat vehicle maintenance, which sounds much like the Marine version of what your son is doing.

I couldn't be prouder.

My son,Phillip,Is a "nuke"(Neuclear engineer).He was accepted into the"Seaman to Admiral"officer program.He is currently attending college(on the Navy's 'nickle')to get a mechanical engineering degree.A verysmart young man.Steve

My son,Phillip,Is a "nuke"(Neuclear engineer).He was accepted into the"Seaman to Admiral"officer program.He is currently attending college(on the Navy's 'nickle')to get a mechanical engineering degree.A verysmart young man.Steve

Did he make this decision or did you? His long term success is dependent on the answer to that question.

I haven't live up there (or should I say, Down East), for years. I lived in New Hampshire, actually except for the first couple months, which is why I didn't work with the rest of my unit.