machining in the military

[MBG]

Does anybody know if any branches of the military offer machining?

Army, navy, coast guard?


I know they have to offer welding but what about machining.

[High Seas]

Here's a toll free number and speciality to check out (Air Force - but I'm partial )
Aircraft Fabrication or the Aircraft Metal Technology Career Field, please contact a recruiter at 1-800-972-8825
Jim

[MBG]

Originally Posted by High Seas Here's a toll free number and speciality to check out (Air Force - but I'm partial ) Aircraft Fabrication or the Aircraft Metal Technology Career Field, please contact a recruiter at 1-800-972-8825 Jim

Please tell me about the air force. I was looking at the navy.

[KIMFAB]

When I was in the NAVY on a destroyer tender we had a whole machine shop with several lathes and mills. We even had a foundry. I'm sure it is the same today. When you are at sea and you need a part you don't just go the corner parts store.

[MBG]

Originally Posted by KIMFAB When I was in the NAVY on a destroyer tender we had a whole machine shop with several lathes and mills. We even had a foundry. I'm sure it is the same today. When you are at sea and you need a part you don't just go the corner parts store.

Very true. how many years ago was this?

I want to do this but I want to continue my college engineering also...

[MBG]

Also, I heard if you had a family that the navy is the roughest. Air force is the one to choose if you had a family cause you are home almost every night.

[Donkey Hotey]

I can tell that the Air Force has some very well equipped machine shops. One in particular that I know of, sends their guys to a full semester of Mastercam training and they are using a full shop of Haas machines (under three years old).

[High Seas]

And CAD Training = SOLID Edge. They do a lot of business in FL with the testing/engineering base , Eglin AFB. (No comment on the product - just know thats one opportunity I know of).

BUT - there are deployment opportunities as well. If you machine parts and the parts need to be in Afghanistan - it doesn't take long for the equipment and personnel to move to the location.

In the past (12 years ago) most of the heavy machining work - including big cnc machines, was done at the Material Centers - Utah, Oklahoma, California, Ohio. Most of the machinists were civilians.

The SOF (special ops) now has the tilt rotor aircraft (V-22 Osprey) and because it has a LOT of composite material - special training is given to those folks in the "backshops."

Hope that is some help,
Cheers - Jim

[KIMFAB]

Also, I heard if you had a family that the navy is the roughest. Air force is the one to choose if you had a family cause you are home almost every night.
Reply With Quote from MBG

I got out in 70 but I imagine the home life is the same. During my time in the Navy I often wondered why they even allowed married guys in. Not a good life for a wife when you are gone for 3 to 6 months at a time even during off time.

[cutsall]

I have worked with several machinist with Navy training and they were very good and knowledgable. I learned a lot from those guys and it really helped my career. Once you can accept that you are a "worm" you will learn. The U.S. Military will give you a superior education if you have the aptitude and ability. If you are serious talk to recruiters from the branches of service you are interested in. But, remember recruiters sometimes embellish the facts and may promise things they can't deliver. Your test scores and their need to fill their positions will come before your desire for training.

[ben_kapitan]

Originally Posted by MBG Air force is the one to choose if you had a family cause you are home almost every night.

Guess my leadership never got that memo

I'm currently active duty Air Force in Italy. I have several friends who work down in sheetmetal shop who seem to enjoy it. When we have the need they'll fabricate aircraft parts, tools, odds and ends, etc. They're shop is pretty nice, every time I'm down there I have a hard time not messing with their stuff. All in all I feel very fortunate to be in the position that I am in; the hours can be long but my family and I lead very, very comfortable lives.

[ben_kapitan]

Originally Posted by cutsall The U.S. Military will give you a superior education if you have the aptitude and ability. If you are serious talk to recruiters from the branches of service you are interested in.

Very true. I went from stocking grocery store shelves to fixing computers on fighter aircraft. If you have the willingness to learn and some motivation you will go very far indeed.