Are you interested in becoming a military mechanic? If so, you may be wondering what kind of training is required to operate a military truck. The answer depends on the branch of the military you are joining and the type of vehicle you will be working on. The first step in becoming a military mechanic is to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. Many high schools offer the test to students aged 16 and older, and the results are valid for two years after the test is performed.
If you didn't complete the exam in high school, a recruiter can refer you to a local testing center. If you are under 18 years old, both parents must give their permission. Once you have passed the ASVAB test, you will need to complete basic training and advanced individual training. Basic training, also known as combat training, basic military training, or recruit training, provides recruits with the physical, mental, and emotional knowledge needed to serve in a specific military branch.
Pre-enlistment exams last one to two days, basic training lasts 7.5 to 13 weeks, and advanced individual training lasts 12 to 16 weeks, depending on the branch. After completing basic and advanced individual training, you will begin what you requested as specialized training as a military mechanic. The United Technical Institute (UTI) offers specialized training through manufacturer-specific advanced training (MSAT) programs. By completing a basic automotive or diesel program, eligible students can apply to enroll in these programs, where they will gain knowledge and credentials specific to brands such as Ford, Toyota, Cummins, Freightliner and more. UTI also partners with Penske Premier Truck Group (PTG) to offer a Technical Skills Program (TSP) to soon-to-retire military personnel.
UTI instructors teach the 12-week tuition-free TSP at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. After 12 weeks, students receive credentials from Daimler Truck of North America (DTNA) Systems and are offered employment at PTG. In addition to military and veterans services, UTI offers specialized training through manufacturer-specific advanced training (MSAT) programs. By completing a basic automotive or diesel program, eligible students can apply to enroll in these programs, where they will gain knowledge and credentials specific to brands such as Ford, Toyota, Cummins, Freightliner and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the total national employment of bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists will be 296,800 by 2030. An automotive program such as the one offered at the ICU can train students with the basic skills needed to become military mechanics and offer additional options for their careers in and outside the military. If you retire from the military as a mechanic, UTI can build on your current skills through specialized training while offering a variety of military and veteran services along the way.
