It's a simple fact that engines and machines sometimes break down; Army engines and machines aren't any different. Broken parts have to be repaired or new ones must be made and it's up to the Machinist to handle this.

The Machinist is primarily responsible for supervising and performing the fabrication, repair and modification of metallic and nonmetallic parts. They operate lathes, drill presses, grinders and other machine shop equipment. Some of your duties as a Machinist may include:

• Fabricate, repair, and modify metallic and nonmetallic parts
• Utilize such machines as engine lathes, utility grinders, power cutoff saws, armature undercutters, and arbor
• Utilize hydraulic presses, drill presses and their associated attachments, accessories and tools
• Studying blueprints or written plans of the parts to be made
• Setting up and operating lathes to make parts such as shafts and gears
• Cutting metal stock using power hacksaws and bandsaws
• Boring holes using drill presses
• Shaping and smoothing parts using grinders

Job training for a Machinist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 13 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including practice in machine operation. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

• Machine types and uses
• Machine setup and operation
• Uses of different metals
• Safety procedures

Helpful attributes include:

• An interest in math, general science, metal working and mechanical drawing
• A preference for working with the hands
• An interest in making things and finding solutions to mechanical problems
• An ability to apply mathematical formulas

Advanced level Machinist provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline.

• Perform duties in preceding skill level

The skills you learn as a Machinist will help prepare you for a future with civilian factories and repair shops in many industries, including the electrical product, automotive, and heavy machinery industries.

• Armament Repairer (45K)
• M1 ABRAMS Tank System Maintainer (63A)
• Small Arms/Artillery Repairer (45B)
• Metal Worker (44B)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.