Switching MOS to Rotary-wing Crew Chief 6172, 6173, and 6174

[jellyfish2183]

I haven't been here for a while. I think I need to visit the forum more often to renew my motivation as a Marine. It is very difficult to stay motivated in my unit (who shall remain nameless), especially being a reservist. I guess the other good things about the forum is getting the chance to help out and motivate junior Marines, poolees, and prospective poolees, as well as to get advice from more senior and experienced Marines--which is what I'm about to do.

I am a 1341-Heavy Equipment Mechanic. Originally I was a 5942-Aviation Radar Repairman, but I was struggling in radar school while at Twentynine Palms and purposely flunked out of radar school (partly due to unsupportive peers, but mostly due to personal problems). It didn't really bother me that much, since it wasn't my preferred MOS to begin with. Originally I was going for CREW CHIEF, but I didn't score high enough on my ASVAB, with a total score of 88. I got a 95 on the Mechanical Knowledge (MM) portion, 7 points short of the minumum score of 105 for said MOS. Ironically enough, I ended up being a mechanic for engineer equipments.

I've been in the corps for two years now. I just came to the unit about 5 months prior to being mobilize to deploy. Since I hit the unit, I have not done a single thing pertaining to my MOS yet. And while on this deployment, we're doing quasi-infantry billets instead of our respective MOSes. Yeah, I passed my second MOS school with flying colors (it's kind of hard to fail when all the exams are open-note), but I really could care less about being an H. E. Mech. I was wondering if it's advisable or even possible to do a lateral move to the crew chief MOS.

I talked to one of the SGTs who works at my shop back at the unit, and he told me that they might not let me lat.move just yet, since I haven't been in the corps long enough and also if the corps is willing to spend the money to train me for a new MOS (and I'm assuming that being a crew chief requires a 12+ months of training).

How difficult is it being a crew chief? And also equally inportant, how hard is it to obtain the MOS, are they in demand, or are they generally full? I heard that it is one of the more physical and intellectually demanding MOSes in the Marine Corps. I am a 4th Class swimmer (never given a chance to reach 2nd class in boot camp), how to I get swim requal'ed? I want this MOS because I've always been wanting to work airborne in a rotory aircraft, be it as a gunner for the .50 cal, mechanic, refueler, or simply a loadmaster in charge of the cargo and supplies. I'm on Active Reserve right now, being deployed. I am willing to go active duty in order to become a crew chief in a Heavy Helo Squadron. I was originally going to go active anyway, until I see how horribly my unit is run (I'm not the only one who feels that way, as the fellow troops and NCOs who's been in the corps longer and who came from other units say the exact same thing). Any advice? I want to get as much information pertaining this before I talk to our unit Career Retention Specialist.:usmc:

[yellowwing]

And while on this deployment, we're doing quasi-infantry billets instead of our respective MOSes.
Sounds like you will get your chance to get behind that bigass 50 cal.

Attitude, you may not be in your dream job. But hell, be determined to be the best HE Mech in the FMF. That will get you noticed and a lat move later in your career will be easier.

Until then do your job, your fellow Marines are depending on you.

[jellyfish2183]

Sounds like you will get your chance to get behind that bigass 50 cal.

Been there, done that... Way too many times Acutally, if it weren't for the fact that our field training is so uncoordinated by the higher up, we would've actually enjoy firing the .50 cal. You're constantly being yelled at for no good reasons by the NCOs and the SNCOs (it's true when they say that s*** rolls down hill), just so they can look good in front of the higher-ups to get the better fit-reps in order to get promoted. And it's a very demoralizing situation. Hell, I was more enthusiastic firing the 240G and the SAWs back in MCT than with the .50 cal out here. So that's saying a lot. I can't wait to switch to another unit (or when the command SGTMAJ or CO leaves)!! But enough complaining for now...


Attitude, you may not be in your dream job. But hell, be determined to be the best HE Mech in the FMF. That will get you noticed and a lat move later in your career will be easier.

That's kind of hard to do as a reservist who only comes into the unit two days a week. Well, our shop chief (one of the cool, calm, and collected Marines, no fake@$$ moto) encourages us to go active reserve from time to time. The thing is, most of the workload are for the generator mechs, not HE mechs. The good thing is that (as of the time we left), there was only HE mechs in our unit, me and this other sergeant. And he's trying to get out of this unit, naturally. When he leaves, it just leaves me as the only HE mech, and possibly the most senior of all the HE mechs if the unit has picked up more 1341s while we're out here (unless an NCO gets drop to our unit). But at any rate, it may help me get on meritorious boards easier (since there are very little competition).

And that brings me to another thing. I don't believe in kissing @$$ in order to pick up. I've seen way too many of them in my Marine Corps career thus far! Marines trying to put on those fake@$$ motivation in front of the higher ups and take charge just because they know they're being watched. Joint Chief of Staff Gen. Pace visited and talked to us late this afternoon. The Army Sergeant Major accompanied him added that when you're so focused on that star in the sky (getting to the next rank), you fail to see what lies within the 45 degrees of your field of vision in front of you (troop welfare, among other things). That's the problem here, I think.

Personally, I have more respect for those who are more discreet when it comes to doing the right thing and don't concern themselves with announcing and brag about their personal "achievements." There is this LCPL who's in my squad. When I first met him, he was just a PFC. 1st Class PFTer, excels at just about everything the Marine Corps has thrown at him so far and is humble about it. His attitude is: "F*** brown-nosing and promotion... I just like helping people... you know..." Yeah, supposedly he's more junior than I am. But I'd (as well as a handful of LCPLs) follow his lead more gladly than to follow some of the FACs (fake@$$ corporals and FASes fake@$$ sergeants respectively) I've seen within our unit.

So yes, it may prove to be difficult for me to get promoted. But I simply refuse to kiss @$$ to incompetent leadership! Don't get me wrong, I dislike being belligerent. I will follow their orders (how ever unreasonable it may be, but I WILL express to them my discord prior to carrying out the order and will explain to Marines under my charge what's going on and what I feel about it. After all, keeping troops informed is key to any leadership (ref. Fundamentals of Marine Corps Leadership MCI). Okay, this is becoming an off-topic rant... Back to the subject.

I hear that there is a strict age limitation in the military, and especially in the Marine Corps when it comes to flight duties/MOS. Something like 26 or something. Does this apply to crew chief as well? I'm 24 right now, so in about a year and a half I will hit that mark. That's why I'm pretty concern about it. Then there is the fact that the priority in the choice of MOS is given to new Marines rather than lat.movers.:usmc:

[onux16]

I hope I'm not late to the party. I just googled some stuff and found this link.

Jellyfish2183, I'm an H-46 Helicopter Crew Chief (MOS 6172). Supposedly after two years in your respective billet you'd be able to lat move. Instead of talking to NCO's again, who seem to show little support based on what you've told us, try getting a hold of a career planner to discuss your future as a Marine. He or she will be your best source of information on whether you can lat move. Worst case scenario, you'll have to wait until reenlistment time. I do know the FMF is always looking for Marine crew chiefs, and HMX-1 will take seemingly anyone.

Look for the Crew Chief - MOS? (http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29278) thread on these forums. I have contributed a lot of information about the training that goes into being a crew chief. If you have any questions about the job, I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability. On a final note, if you don't qualify for crew chief duties, try becoming a helicopter mechanic (O-Level flightline, not avionics, airframes, or anything D-Level or I-Level). After some training and qualifications you need to earn, you're squadron can award you with Aerial Observer, which lets you do similar duties to a crew chief in-flight, including the .50 cal and day/night traffic calls as well as earning USMC Combat Wings.

[PaidinBlood]

Good luck to you, but bear a few things in mind. If you come looking for advice and hear something you don't like-don't talk ****. Just take it or leave it. He's right, until the day you check out of your terrible unit, the other Marines are counting on you. I have seen so many people EAS or lat-move out of the unit and just drop their pack. I have also specifically seen a nasty virus spread through my old battalion and it sounds like you have it. No commander ever had 100% approval rating from his troops and if he did I would worry. I promise your Battalion commander or whoever it is that you hold responsible is not to blame for your "terrible" NCOs. I've been chasing a cutting score that is always 1700+ when it opens, and I don't blame or hate anyone. Kissin @$$ is not and never will be a requirement to get promoted. Pro/cons are huge but they have to justify giving you anything less than average. Quit giving them the ammunition. Good luck to you and hope to see you on our side of the house one day.

[JohnEaceHunt]

Fish. Please keep the Faith about becoming a CrewChief. When I was at the end of my tour, I was able to extend to become a CrewChief, and succeded. It all has changed now, from Vietnam, but the Frogs will still be around for another 9-10 years and I DO so hope you will find a way. There is Nothing like it. The Bird is assigned to YOU, and your in Charge of it all. The Bird belongs to you, not the HAC, (Helicopter Aircraft Commander).There is no feeling in the World, like saving the lives of our Brother Marines. Had a few Soldier Med-evacs too. Re-supplies, inserts, and extractions under Fire, and Gun Runs are a part of it too. The Pilots Fly different Birds every day, but you Fly and are responsible to keep YOUR Bird Flying every Day. If in Flight and you spring a leak, or take a round in a Bad place, you have the sole right to Make the HAC land it so you can patch it and make it back to Base.(If you can fly on to an area you can land to do it). Please do NOT loose sight of your Goal, and someone higher up will hear of your Plight and hopefully help you reach your Goal. Remember, Anyone can be a Grunt, but not all can become a CrewChief, Period. YOU WILL SUCCEDE, Brother.

[PaidinBlood]

ha. Seen plenty wash out just at ITB and even more come unglued in the field. Seen arty, MP, MT, and all other kinds out in the middle of the city, and it ain't quite that easy. They got rocked on the same streets we walked, untouched. But yeah, I've heard it is pretty freakin hard to get in your job, so be proud, just not ignorant.. ;-)

[BrockXSampson]

So I'm on the MSG program and just LAT moved from an avionics tech to 6173 53's Crew Chief. Already have a pretty good idea what to expect from pensacola as i've already been there and such. Anyone have any insight on what to expect in regards to the mos itself (i.e. how the shops tend to operate). I've learned the hard way that schoolhouses seldom do this for you. Any info I'd really appreciate.

[Sergeant M]

Unfortunately, there are no Loadmasters on Rotary Aircraft. I was Aircrew and it can be a very difficult training program. You must have high ASVAB scores to start, and be willing to put up with A LOT of crap before even hitting the fleet again.

[onux16]

Brock,
As far as training goes, I included a link in a post a few above yours. It's about the traning (http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29278).

As far as the way shops operate, they are all given certain areas to work on. If you're trying to become a crew chief, focus on O-Level maintenance for now. They are the Remove-and-Replace guys. You will be flight line, the shop responsible for everything that is NOT electronics, airframes, or hydraulics. It's easy to make friends from another to shop; it's easy to make enemies from another shop. Just respect their domain and know who to speak with (and how).