Transportation Maintenance Managers

Background

The military's transportation system is made up of many different kinds of carriers, including ships, aircraft, trucks, and buses. Repair and maintenance schedules for each type of vehicle must be carefully planned and managed. Transportation maintenance managers direct personnel who repair and maintain the military's transportation equipment.

What They Do

Transportation maintenance managers in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Check repairs to make sure they are complete and finished on schedule
• Develop maintenance standards and policies
• Direct repair shop and garage operations
• Oversee the ordering and use of repair parts, equipment, and supplies
• Oversee the preparation of maintenance records and reports
• Plan and develop training programs for staff
• Set work schedules for repair shop staff

Physical Demands

No information available.

Special Requirements

A four-year college degree is normally required to enter this career.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in developing detailed plans
• Interest in planning and directing the work of others

Helpful School Subjects

No information available.

Helpful Fields of Study

Helpful fields of study include:

• Business administration
• Mechanical engineering
• Transportation management
• Vehicle and maintenance operations

Work Environment

Transportation maintenance managers work in offices located in maintenance yards, shops, and garages.

Services offering this career:

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• 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 officers.

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 16 to 22 weeks of classroom instruction.

Course content typically includes:

• Management of aircraft or aircraft electronics (avionics) maintenance
• Management of vehicle, railroad, and other equipment maintenance
• Use of management information systems

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian transportation maintenance managers work in auto, bus, truck, and heavy construction equipment repair garages. They also work for aircraft service companies, aircraft builders, and commercial airline companies. They perform duties similar to those performed by military transportation maintenance managers. They may also be called maintenance superintendents.

Related Civilian Careers

• Blue-Collar Worker Supervisors

Employment and Outlook

In peace time the services have about 5,000 transportation maintenance managers. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new maintenance managers due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. After job training, transportation maintenance managers gain experience managing maintenance personnel. In time, they may become managers of larger maintenance facilities and advance to command positions.