Military Vehicles Repair Education and Training

Where to get skills for working on army trucks and other vehicles
By Lisa Maloney Working on military vehicles is a passion for some, hobby for others and gainful employment for many. The military vehicles industry is largely experienced based; you're much more likely to see hands-on military experience listed as a preferred quality than a higher education degree.
 

A GED or high school diploma is preferred by almost all employers, although most will accept appropriate experience as a substitute. Beyond that basic requirement, the best military vehicles repair education and training may include:

1. Train for repairing military vehicles through hands-on military experience.
2. Scout for civilian training classes to increase your chances of securing a military job or to acquire similar skills.
3. Learn about unfamiliar vehicles through military vehicle manufacturers manuals and parts catalogs.
   

Get on the job training with Army vehicles

Military experience is a preferred attribute for many military truck and vehicle jobs in both civilian and military sectors. Military service as a mechanic is also the best way to get intensive, hands-on training with military vehicles. Civilian automotive training is also helpful for being placed in an automotive field in the Army, or can be used as a basis for being hired by civilian contractors that work on Army or other military vehicles.
Try: USMilitary.com lays out some of the skills necessary to do light wheel military vehicle repair, and makes a case for receiving that training in the armed forces. The Alaska Army National Guard details the skills and training you'd received when preparing to work as a light wheel vehicle mechanic, plus information about corresponding civilian jobs. If you'd rather get experience as a civilian, EDinformatics offers a useful list of automotive training schools and their hands-on training opportunities.

Find training and seminars to work with almost any civilian or Army truck or wheeled vehicles

The right online resources can help you track down both free and paid training opportunities so you can learn how to work on military vehicles. You can also use online resources to track down seminars and expos that might give you a chance to network with both military and civilian employers, as well as familiarizing yourself with the newest technology.
Try: TEAM AVI offers comprehensive video training for wheeled vehicle repair, plus a free newsletter including feature articles and tips from TEAM AVI instructors. Business Fleet offers information about seminars and expos that include both corporate and military attendees, offering you an interesting cross-section of training opportunities and a chance to network.

Familiarize yourself with Army parts and vehicle operations

Having the right manual on hand can help you deal with unfamiliar military parts or specialized operating systems you may encounter in Army surplus vehicles. It also gives you a chance to familiarize yourself with military trucks and other wheeled vehicles without actually joining the military.
Try: MilitaryManuals.com and Portrayal Press both give you a chance to learn about the operation, parts lists and more for a variety of military vehicles with vehicle-specific operation manuals.

• Some military vehicles will have modifications beyond their typical civilian uses or non-military counterparts, so don't underestimate the importance of having the right military parts catalog on hand.
• Even though having a higher education degree is not necessary to secure a job working on military vehicles, it might help you be selected over other competition or to secure more advanced work.