Army CH-47 Helicopter Repairer (MOS 15U) is responsible for the maintenance and inspection of the CH-47 Helicopter.
The CH-47 Helicopter is also known as the Chinook.
This position performs repair and routine inspections to ensure the Chinook is safe to fly.
Qualifications, Training and Duty Stations
Individuals wishing to work as a CH-47 helicopter repairer are required to get a score of 104 on the Mechanical Maintenance (MM) ASVAB test.
After completing the ASVAB testing and passing all other physical/medical exams, recruits will attend Basic Combat Training for 10 weeks.
Upon successful completion of Basic Combat Training, recruits will attend Advanced Individual Training for 17 weeks.
Skills that are helpful in the CH-47 Helicopter Repairer position:
- Ability to use both hand and power tools
- Desire to work with aircraft and engine mechanics
- Interest in working in a position requiring mathematics and shop mechanics
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Duty Stations
Those serving in the Army as an MOS 15U 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 a CH-47 Helicopter Repairer Do?
The main responsibility of a CH-47 Helicopter Repairer is to ensure all maintenance and servicing is complete on the Chinook Helicopter in preparation for a safe slight.
About the CH-47 Chinook
The CH-47 Chinook is a heavy-lift cargo helicopter.
The Chinook allows the Army to transport forces, supplies and equipment that can sometimes reach a gross weight of 54,000 pounds.
It can be used to support medical evacuation, search and rescue, disaster relief, aircraft recovery and parachute drops.
The system features a Digital Automatic Flight Control System that assists with control and situational awareness.
Chinook Repairer Job Duties
Soldiers in the MOS 15U position are required to be knowledgeable about engine disassembly and repair.
They are also required to know how to repair aluminum, fiberglass and steel airframes.
Part of their job duties include fixing hydraulic, electrical and fuel systems.
This position requires maintenance and routine inspections.
They will prepare the aircraft for inspections and maintenance checks.
Preparation can include assisting in any diagnosing and troubleshooting using interactive electronic technical manuals and other tools.
All of the preparations, completed inspections and completed maintenance will be thoroughly logged and documented.
The use and inventory of tools will also be documented.
During an inspection, the specialist will check the aircraft wings, tail assemblies and fuselages for issues or damage.
They will repair any damages they find as well as servicing and lubricating the aircraft and any of its subsystems.
Part of the soldiers job is to remove and install engines, rotors, gearboxes, mechanical flight controls and transmissions.
CH-47 Helicopter Repairers also replace gauges in the cockpit, adjusting weight on the blade-end and checking tension on the flight controls.
They can assist in preparing it for shipment including loading it by aircraft or for water transport.
The Helicopter Repairers become very familiar with all systems on the Chinook and can be relied on to make repairs in any situation.
More job functions and details about the CH-47 Helicopter Repairer can be found in the Army video below.
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What Does a CH-47 Helicopter Repairer get Paid?
Army MOS 15U is an entry level position that would allow individuals with no prior Military experience to earn a starting base pay in the Army.
This base pay is around $20,000, varies in the first 4 months of training and increases based on your rank and time of service.
The pay table below allows for a visual on how the Army base pay increases over time.
| Insignia | Pay Grade | Rank | Abbreviation | Minimum Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-1 | Private | PVT | $1,785 | |
 | E-2 | Private Second Class | PV2 | $2,001 |
 | E-3 | Private First Class | PFC | $2,104 |
 | E-4 | Specialist | SPC | $2,330 |
 | E-4 | Corporal | CPL | $2,330 |
 | E-5 | Sergeant | SGT | $2,542 |
 | E-6 | Staff Sergeant | SSG | $2,775 |
 | E-7 | Sergeant First Class | SFC | $3,208 |
 | E-8 | Master Sergeant | MSG | $4,480 |
 | E-8 | First Sergeant | 1SG | $4,480 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major | SGM | $5,473 |
 | E-9 | Command Sergeant Major | CSM | $5,473 |
 | E-9 | Sergeant Major of the Army | SMA | $5,473 |
Benefits
Initial review of the Army base table could have you questioning if the pay is reasonable or even enough to live off of.
In addition to the base pay the Army pays for housing and food while living on-base.
This makes up for a large amount of income.
The Army also offers certain recruiting bonuses, a clothing allowance and education tuition assistance.
Benefits include free to low-cost medical and dental, paid sick time, low-cost life insurance and 30 days of vacation a year.
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Job Reviews
Reviews of this position discuss how physically demanding the position can be, but mostly note that the experience is worth it.
Positive reviews of the MOS 15U position discuss the opportunities to learn advanced mechanical skills and the work being performed as enjoyable.
Negative reviews discuss the long hours, being away from family and working in a high-stress environment.
The best advice given states to know what you are getting into.
If you go into this position knowing that it can require physical work and long hours, you are more likely to be happier and more successful in your position.
A few reviews from CH-47 Helicopter Repairers can be found below.
Civilian Career Opportunities
Working as a CH-47 Helicopter Repairer in the Army allows individuals to gain skills in airframe and power plant mechanics.
This allows for a civilian career in aviation and other mechanic fields in Aircraft Mechanics, Fiberglass Technician, Transportation Equipment Technician and more related jobs.
The Army also allows soldiers to gain certifications while in the Army (sometimes completely Army paid), from institutions such as the Federal Aviation Administration and Federal Communications Administration.
This opens the door for both promotions inside and outside the Army.
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Summary
Army CH-47 Helicopter Repairers (MOS 15U) are responsible for performing maintenance on the Chinook helicopter.
This helicopter is the Army’s heavy-lift cargo transporter.
This is an entry-level position that allows individuals to take advantage of the many Army benefits.
People who previously held this position note how physically demanding the work can be, but tend to like the position and the excitement of working on the aircraft.
Working in the MOS 15U position provides experience in aviation repair that directly relates to the civilian career field.
References:
Army Chinook Helicopter Details
the GI Bill to graduate from UC Berkeley where he majored in English. He
currently works as a writing tutor, a freelance writer, and a bartender, is
completing a novel based on his time in Afghanistan, and is pursuing
graduate school.
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