Consequently, Marine Corps Mechanics often work in high risk circumstances, especially in combat situations where quick yet effective repairs are essential. The Marine Corps designates minimum and maximum height requirements in order to operate on vehicles. Your email address will not be published. [48] Marine squadrons are noted by the second letter "M." Squadron numbering is not linear, as some were numbered in ascending order, and others took numbers from the wing or the ship to which they were assigned. Pay in the Marine Corps is determined by your military rank and years of service. [10] The United States embraced its role of global power, and the Marine Corps became the preferred force for military intervention; where the Marines went, so went Marine Corps aviation. It was in Haiti that Marines began to develop the tactic of dive bombing and in Nicaragua where they began to perfect it. The first major expansion of the Marine Corps' air component came with America's entrance into World War I in 1917. Following the Iraq deployment, Levi was assigned to various detachments who travelled and worked around Southeast Asia. In Marine transport refueling (VMGR) squadrons, the Hercules doubles as a ground refueller and tactical-airlift transport aircraft. [57][58][59] This began to change after the Battle of Tarawa as the air support for ground troops flown by Navy pilots left much to be desired. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. For the first two years of the war, the air arm spent most of its time protecting the fleet and land-based installations from attacks by enemy ships and aircraft. There, plans for all aspects of aviation are created and managed, including acquisition of new aircraft, training, maintenance, manpower, etc. They maintained another 30 squadrons in the Marine Air Reserve. However, the skills and experience you receive in the Marines will not only suit you well for a military career, but also civilian life after finishing service. Administratively, Marine aviation is organized into three active duty MAWs and one reserve MAW. Related Article Marine Corps Electrician (MOS 1141): 2019 Career Details. This assignment enabled nearly 60% of active duty aviators at the time to be exposed to a disciplined training syllabus under a clearly defined mission. Upon successful completion of Primary Flight Training, they select which type of aircraft they would like to fly, in accordance with the needs of the Corps. [32] Marine helicoptersVMO-6 flying the HO3S1 helicoptermade their combat debut in August 1950 during the Battle of Pusan Perimeter. The instruction takes place at the Marine Corps Combat Service Support School in North Carolina. Wartime expansion saw the Aviation Company split into the First Aeronautic Company which deployed to the Azores to hunt U-boats in January 1918[8] and the First Marine Air Squadron which deployed to France as the newly renamed 1st Marine Aviation Force in July 1918[7] and provided bomber and fighter support to the Navy's Day Wing, Northern Bombing Group. Marine Corps Mechanics (MOS 3521) are required to complete the Automotive Organizational Maintenance Course (AOMC). Each MCAS maintains its own base functions as well as air traffic control and facilities (often with a Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron of its own). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Levi served in the Marine Corps as a heavy equipment operator from 2007-2011. [47], The basic tactical and administrative unit of United States Marine Corps aviation is the squadron. Other aircraft types are also used in a variety of support and special-purpose roles. [15], The turning point for the long-term survival of Marine Air[16] came with the structural change of the establishment of the Fleet Marine Force in 1933. [36] Some support units will gain personnel and equipment. Being just a short drive from our nation's capital, you can imagine getting stationed here, you are at the forefront of creative and innovation thinking. The end of World War I saw Congress authorize 1,020 men for Marine Corps aviation and the establishment of permanent air stations at Quantico, Parris Island and San Diego. Flight officers, after Aviation Preflight Indoctrination, continue their own training path by staying at Pensacola and training further in navigation and avionics. Therefore, combined with the training and experience you receive in the Marine Corps, you are well prepared for civilian employment as a mechanic. Rotary wing (helicopter) squadrons use "H." Squadrons flying lighter than air vehicles (balloons), which were active from World War I to 1943, were indicated by the letter "Z" in naval squadron designation. The series of tests determines eligibility for a variety of Military Occupational Specialties, including MOS 3521. Some former MOS 3521 work at auto shops while others perform work as mechanics for dealerships. As part of the H-1 upgrade program,[42] UH-1N Twin Hueys were replaced by UH-1Y Venoms,[43] while AH-1W SuperCobras were upgraded to AH-1Z Vipers. [37] The Corps intends to procure 420[38] F-35B/Cs (353 F-35Bs and 67 F-35Cs) to replace all F/A-18 Hornets, AV-8B Harrier IIs and EA-6B Prowlers[39] in the fighter, attack, and electronic warfare[40] roles. At the end of the day the Marine Corps is not for everyone. There are some unique qualifications of Marine Corps Mechanic (MOS 3521). The MAW may be reinforced with assets from other MAWs to provide the necessary assets to meet mission requirements. [6] Secretary of Defense Louis A. Johnson attempted to eliminate Marine Corps aviation by transferring its air assets to other services and even proposed to progressively eliminate the Marine Corps altogether in a series of budget cutbacks and decommissioning of forces.[27]. Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401) operates F-5 Tiger II aircraft in support of air combat adversary (aggressor) training. Though the majority of your time as a Marine Corps Mechanic is spent working on engines you also have other job duties. He is now a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast who spends much of his year traveling between campsites around the country. The VH-3D Sea Kings and the VH-60N Blackhawks of HMX-1 are to be replaced by the Sikorsky VH-92 in the VXX program. The MV-22B Osprey replaced the CH-46 Sea Knight and CH-53D Sea Stallion. Marine Wing Support Group (MWSG): previously, the ground support element for a Marine Air Wing, usually consisted of four Marine Wing Support Squadrons. After Advanced NFO training, they receive their wings and are assigned to their first duty squadron. Marines with rank E-4 (Corporal) and E-5 (Sergeant) can receive skill enhancement training through the Motor Transport NCO Course. The primary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) is reserved for Marines between the ranks of Private (E-1) and Sergeant (E-5). It is the responsibility of Marine Corps Mechanics to ensure all vehicles used in the field are inspected and maintained in top condition. [36] Several new squadrons have been activated, including VMFAT-501, and VMU-4. Where do aviation structural mechanics get stationed? [6] The Marine Aviation Company was commissioned on 17 February 1917 as the first official Marine flying unit, at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.[7]. Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1) operates the VH-3D Sea King medium-lift and VH-60N Nighthawk light-lift helicopters in the VIP transport role, previously planned to be replaced by the cancelled VH-71 Kestrel. Marines that serve MOS 3521 also manage parts and other inventory including tools and supplies. [35][60] This capability, designated as "Harvest HAWK" (Hercules Airborne Weapons Kit), can be used in scenarios where precision is not a requisite, such as area denial, [61][62][63] and was first used in Afghanistan in late 2010. The course also takes place at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. By the end of the Vietnam War, the Marine Air-Ground Task Force had grown dependent on its multi-mission inventory of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, which could operate from land or sea bases to support Marines on the ground. New recruits, even those that are not selecting a combat MOS must endure boot camp. A few uncommon aircraft are taught by the Navy or Air Force, or in the case of HMX-1, by the company that created the aircraft. Due to the range and space needed to operate aircraft, each MAW spreads its groups and squadrons amongst several Marine Corps Air Stations (MCAS), as well as offering detachments/liaisons (and occasionally full units) to airports, Air Force Bases and Naval Air Stations. Upon completion, students are designated as Naval Aviators and are awarded the Naval Aviator Insignia. [2], Marine Corps aviation officially began on 22 May 1912, when First Lieutenant Alfred Austell Cunningham reported to Naval Aviation Camp in Annapolis, Maryland, "for duty in connection with aviation. [33] January 1951 saw the activation of HMR-161, the world's first helicopter transport squadron. [19] During the war, and for the next fifty years, the Guadalcanal campaign would become a defining point for Marine Aviation. Countless auto shops love to hire former Marines that worked in the military as mechanics. Despite their aging aircraft and high operating tempo, Marine Aviation maintained a 74.5-percent mission-capable rate. This page was last edited on 9 February 2023, at 19:33. The NAS China Lake Marines are responsible to DCA for the test and evaluation of all weapons and weapon systems and for electronic warfare development. [34], The Korean and Vietnam wars saw the size of Marine Aviation rebound from its post-WWII lows, emerging as the force that exists today, consisting of four air wings, 20 aircraft groups and 78 flying squadrons. Marine Aviation Training Support Group (MATSG): training element to provide support for aviation students (though it is currently often just an administrative support unit for detachments to non-Marine bases). Boot camp, or Marine Basic Training, lasts 13 weeks and will push your limits from a physical and mental standpoint. Marine aviators are eligible to earn medals such as the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in combat and the Air Medal for meritorious achievement in flight as well as the Gray Eagle Award for seniority. [16] Marine Aviators deployed to the Middle East for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, then to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. While other nations and services had tried variations of this technique, Marine Corps pilots were the first to embrace it and make it part of their tactical doctrine. [44] Unmanned aerial vehicle programs will be upgraded in tiers, with the RQ-7 Shadow replacing the RQ-2 Pioneer and the RQ-11 Raven. Marine Corps Mechanics (MOS 3521) must score Mechanical Maintenance (MM): 95 or higher on the ASVAB in order to qualify for the MOS. HQMCA creates Transitional Task Forces to assist units in transitioning between aircraft and aircraft versions. Mechanics (MOS 3521) service, inspect, maintain, and repair motor transport equipment for the Marine Corps. Aircraft Mechanic 161 reviews Location United States 161 reviews Ratings by category 3.7 Work-Life Balance 4.3 Pay & Benefits 4.4 Job Security & Advancement 4.0 Management 4.3 Culture Sort by Helpfulness Rating Date Language Found 161 reviews matching the search See all 28,143 reviews corp military usmc brotherhood deployment united country life The job requires the servicing, inspecting, maintenance, and repairs of every type of military vehicle. As a collateral function, the MAW may participate as an integral component of naval aviation in the execution of such other Navy functions as the Fleet Commander may direct. [22] Because of the way the Pacific War unfolded, Marine Aviation was not able to achieve its 1939 mission of supporting the Fleet Marine Force at first. All Marine pilots and flight officers are trained and qualified as naval aviators or naval flight officers by the Navy. [30] Several others would receive certification,[31] though eventually all nuclear weapons were turned over to Navy and Air Force responsibility. There they receive instruction in aerodynamics, aircraft engines and systems, meteorology, navigation, and flight rules and regulations. Marine light attack helicopter squadrons (HMLA) are composite squadrons of AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters. United States Marine Corps Aviation (USMCA) is the aircraft arm of the United States Marine Corps.Aviation units within the Marine Corps are assigned to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, as the aviation combat element, by providing six functions: assault support, antiair warfare, close air support, electronic warfare, control of aircraft and missiles, and aerial reconnaissance. [64] Serving in Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare (VMAQ) Squadrons until it's retirement in 2019, the EA-6B Prowler was the main tactical electronic warfare aircraft left in the U.S. inventory, until Navy squadrons replaced it with the EA-18G Growler. [11] Marine Corps aviation in Nicaragua developed the skill of air resupply of outposts dropping bundles from Fokker F.VII tri-motors. All new Marines must complete the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). Marine motor vehicles receive quite a punishment in the field and mechanics are what keep them operable under intense conditions. Based on the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Growler has been labeled a "national asset" and is frequently borrowed to assist in any American combat action, not just Marine operations. After the battle, General Holland Smith recommended, "Marine aviators, thoroughly schooled in the principles of direct air support," should do the job. The shop is regularly cleaned and maintained, and hazardous materials are properly disposed. HMX-1, the first Marine helicopter squadron, was commissioned on 1 December 1947. You can get an average idea of what you will earn each month by studying the following table based on Marine Corps rank: The U.S. Armed Forces is known for the benefits provided with a monthly salary, including: There are a variety of job reviews about what it is like to serve the Marine Corps as a Mechanic/Automotive Maintenance Technician on Indeed.com: The common term many former MOS 3521 use is fast paced work environment and challenging. Motor vehicles and equipment that break down in the field pose a serious risk for soldiers trapped until repairs are made. Marine Transport Squadron One (VMR-1) utilizes several aircraft to transport VIPs and critical logistics, to include the UC-35C/D Citation Ultra/Encore, C-12B/F Huron, and C-20G Gulfstream IV. The Deputy Commandant of Aviation also commands Marine Corps Detachments at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake and Naval Air Station Patuxent River. [53] After completion, aviators are assigned to their first squadron. The first two numbers were meant to identify the squadron's parent group, but with the rapid expansion during the war and frequent transfer of squadrons, this system fell apart.[50].