An Army Avionic Mechanic (MOS 15N) is responsible for performing maintenance on various flight equipment.
This position handles everything from troubleshooting to maintaining equipment stock.
This is an entry-level position in the Army.
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Qualifications, Training and Duty Stations
To enter into this position, recruits will be required to get a 93 on the Electronics ASVAB test.
Individuals wishing to enter into the Avionic Mechanic position will be required to attend Basic Combat Training for 10 weeks.
After successful completing of Basic Combat Training, 24 weeks of Advanced Individual Training is required.
This training will consist of on-the-job training in both the classroom and the field.
Helpful skills for this position include:
- An interest in working with aircraft
- Ability to multi-task and work as a team
- Interest in working in a position that uses both mathematics and shop mechanics
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Duty Stations
Those serving in the Army as an MOS 15N can expect to be potentially based at one of the following duty stations:
Inside the Continental US (CONUS)
- Ft. Bliss, TX
- Ft. Bragg, NC
- Ft. Campbell, KY
- Ft. Carson, CO
- Ft. Drum, NY
- Ft. Hood, TX
- Ft. Hunter, CA
- Ft. Lewis, WA
- Ft. Riley, KS
Outside the Continental US (OCONUS)
- Ft. Wainwright, AK
- Katterbach, Germany
- Wiesbaden, Germany
- Wheeler, HI
- Humphreys, South Korea
- Seoul, South Korea
What Does an Army Avionic Mechanic Do?
Soldiers in the MOS 15N position perform maintenance on tactical communications security (COMSEC).
Other equipment types include communication, flight control, identification friend or foe (IFF) and navigation.
These soldiers play a critical role in flight communications maintenance and are required to know their aircraft equipment down to every component.
Without proper mechanical repairs being completed by Avionic Mechanics, a pilot could lose communication or navigation in the middle of a mission.
Avionic Mechanics work to troubleshoot potential issues and diagnose the repair.
They are required to restore avionic systems and subsystems.
MOS 15N soldiers will use common soldering and systems-installation practices when fixing an issue.
They will perform the maintenance using basic electronic theory and create a log of maintenance activities.
In addition to logging the activities, they will complete maintenance schedules and adhere to any maintenance checks.
Maintenance checks will be completed on aircraft flight controls, controlled cryptographic equipment, avionics and stabilization systems.
Tasks can vary between days.
One day a soldier in MOS 15N could be installing new equipment, the next day they could be making adjusting Doppler navigation equipment.
Outside of performing maintenance, they are required to maintain all tools and equipment necessary for work.
They also maintain shop and bench stock for all aircraft avionics equipment.
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What Does a MOS 15N get Paid?
In the MOS 15N position in the Army, you will be paid based on your rank and pay.
As this is an entry-level position, with no prior Military experience you can expect to be paid around $20,000 annually.
This amount will vary slightly in the first few months while you are in training.
As training is completed and you move up in rank, you can expect to receive higher pay.
You can view the pay table below for Army rank and pay information.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 +4 months | Private | PVT | $1,917.60 | |
 | E-2 | Private Second Class | PV2 | $2,149.20 |
 | E-3 | Private First Class | PFC | $2,259.90 |
 | E-4 | Specialist | SPC | $2,503.50 |
 | E-4 | Corporal | CPL | $2,503.50 |
 | E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | $2,730.30 |
 | E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSG | $2,980.50 |
 | E-7 | Sergeant First Class | SFC | $3,445.80 |
 | E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-8 | First Sergeant | 1SG | $4,957.20 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major | SGM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | CSM | $6,055.50 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army | SMA | $6,055.50 |
Benefits
While $20,000 a year initially does not seem like a lot, you have to take into consideration that the Army pays for your housing and food while living on base.
They also provide free or low cost medical and dental with an annual clothing allowance.
Paid sick time, vacation and low-cost life insurance are all benefits that the Army provides.
There are opportunities for bonus pay, allowances, and special pay situations.
Some examples of these situations include the inability to live on-base and deployment.
Education benefits are one of the most enticing features of the Military.
The Army offers tuition assistance, scholarships and allowances that result in most individuals paying little to nothing to get a college degree.
Related Article – Navy Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE): Career DetailsDetails
Job Reviews
The reviews for this position seem neutral.
Some previous Avionic Technicians really enjoyed their job, while others did not.
The positive reviews include learning knowledge that they would not be able to in a civilian position along with steady pay and benefits.
Negative reviews discuss the long hours, deployments and high work-load.
You can see both positive and negative reviews below.
Civilian Career Opportunities
Working in this position allows soldiers to receive electronics and maintenance experience.
There are several different commercial and private airlines that need skilled individuals in those fields.
While working in the Army in MOS 15N, recruits can learn skills similar to Avionics Electronics Technician.
You can receive Army and GI Bill funding to complete the certification while in active duty for Avionics Electronics Technician that will allow for similar job placement as a civilian.
In addition to using skills learned in the Army to find a position and getting certifications while in active duty, soldiers can also register for the PAYS program.
Partnership for Youth Success (PAYS) is a program that guarantees a job interview with military friendly employers.
For this position, possible employers include Lockheed Martin, AAR Aircraft Services, Inc. and Raytheon Company.
Related Article – Air Force Special Missions Aviation (1A9x1): Career Details
Summary
An Army Avionic Mechanic or MOS 15N performs maintenance on critical communication and flight control equipment.
Their work enables pilots to communicate, navigate and control the aircraft properly.
This is an entry-level position that will follow the basic enlisted pay table.
Recruits in this position are afforded housing, benefits, and allowances.
Reviews for this position are both positive and negative but seem to be reflective of your general knowledge of the position and time requirements when entering.
On the job experience, additional training opportunities and recruiting programs will allow for a civilian job in electronics and maintenance.
References:
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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General FAQ
What is the MOS for Army Avionics Mechanics?
Army Avionics Mechanics are classified as MOS 15N, and they’re responsible for performing repairs and maintenance on a range of flight equipment.
What aircraft do Army Avionics Mechanics work with?
Army Avionics Mechanics will learn the basics of avionics at AIT. Afterward, they can specialize in particular aircraft like the Apache or Black Hawk helicopter.
How much does a military aircraft mechanic make?
Like all Army personnel, Avionics Mechanics are paid according to rank and time in service. A new soldier with less than two years in service can expect a base pay of about $1,733 per month.
What ASVAB score do you need for Army aviation mechanics?
To become an Army Avionic Mechanic (MOS 15N), you’ll need to score a minimum of 93 on the Electronics portion of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).
How long is AIT for 15N?
Advanced Individual Training (AIT) to become an Army Avionic Mechanic (MOS 15N) is 24 weeks long and held at Fort Eustis, Virginia. You’ll study in the classroom and in the field.
