Preventive Maintenance Analysts
Background
Regular maintenance extends the time aircraft, vehicles, and machinery can be used. To make sure military equipment is well maintained, the services prepare detailed maintenance schedules. Preventive maintenance analysts watch schedules and notify mechanics about upcoming maintenance needs. Preventive maintenance analysts promote equipment maintenance.
What They Do
Preventive maintenance analysts in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Calculate how many mechanics and spare parts are needed to maintain equipment
- Compare schedules to records of maintenance work actually performed
- Operate computers and calculators to enter or retrieve maintenance data
- Prepare charts and reports on maintenance activities
- Review maintenance schedules and notify mechanics about the types of service needed
Physical Demands
Normal color vision is required to read and interpret maintenance charts and graphs in some specialties. Some specialties require the ability to speak clearly.
Special Requirements
No information available.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to use mathematical formulas
- Interest in working with computers
- Interest in working with numbers and statistics
- Preference for work requiring attention to detail
Helpful School Subjects
Helpful school subjects include:
- Algebra
- General math
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Preventive maintenance analysts usually work in office settings.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for enlisted personnel.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
Job training consists of four to 15 weeks of classroom instruction. Training length varies depending on specialty.
Course content typically includes:
- Accounting procedures
- Equipment maintenance management concepts
- Parts and supply inventory control procedures
- Statistical reporting methods
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian preventive maintenance analysts work for government agencies, airlines, and large transportation firms. They also work for firms with large numbers of machines. They perform duties similar to military preventive maintenance analysts.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 9,000 preventive maintenance analysts. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year, the services need new analysts due to changes in personnel and demands of the field. After job training, new analysts work under close supervision. As they gain experience, they are given more responsibility and more difficult work assignments. Eventually, they may become supervisors of maintenance control units.