15T | Army Blackhawk Maintainer ( AIT, Day in the life, is it hard)

As a UH-60 Helicopter Repairer, you will maintain and fix UH-60 ("Black Hawk") helicopters, making sure they are safe and ready to fly in hundreds of Army missions.
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[@jakesmith9350]

I’m a ASB tango just thought I’d add my experience. Depending on the unit if phases need to be quickly pushed out you might do more than 9-5. For example we often opted out of pt and worked a straight 12 hour shift 0600-1800. During phases many of the soldiers received separate rations due to not really having time to go to the DFAC. This was a good way to earn extra money. We also had night shifts to keep 24 hours of maintenance going.

[@saltorres6568]

Is it hard tho ? For someone starting from 0

[@Andrew-jv8kx]

True. It isn't the same as a civilian job. I was a 68B1P which at time was a turbine engine repairer. If we got done early we couldn't go home because " the duty day goes until 5pm. But if there were still missions out it was "the duty day ends when they get back" . I understand that the mission takes priority. But we were never given ANY compensation. Even though all you wanted to do was get some sleep

[@JesusSaves734]

I'm planning on doing a maintenance job in the airforce and please be honest, Is this a job for someone who's body doesn't respond well to standing for long durations?

[@jakesmith9350]

@@JesusSaves734 it really depends for me a 12 hour shift would start to hurt the feet and low back even at 22 but part of that pain was do to other stuff that the army had us doing. With the right boots and a little icy hot you’d probably be fine.

[@jakesmith9350]

@@saltorres6568 hey man sorry for the late response but yeah anyone could do this job the AIT for this mos does a phenomenal job bringing everyone up to speed on hand tools and helicopter maintenance. It’s just important to be honest with the instructors if you don’t understand something. A little common sense and a good sense of humor will get you far in army aviation.

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

God be with you boys. You're what makes America GREAT!

[@ryanhadfield5306]

Best MOS in the Army. Awesome to see the new guys coming through as excited as I was about being a crew member.

[@Dbars19]

I went through that program when there werent any drills. it was super chill.

[@Disappearingboy1039]

I wanna go for 15T and i'm glad i came across this video because there isn't a whole lot of content in regards to 15T on youtube in my experience> Hopefully i get it

[@patrickquiroz1737]

Great info thank you both!

[@conorwatters3474]

Great video. I found that useful.

[@Rick-tm3vs]

Great info thank you

[@stevenvaldivia2155]

I’m becoming a 15R I’m super excited for it

[@thecomiccircuit]

good information, thanks for sharing!

[@Andrew-jv8kx]

I was a 68B who trained at Eustice. That was "Aircraft Powerplant Repairer"at the time but I know thev've changed the MOS numbers since then. Ended up 82nd ABN 2nd BN 82nd AVN. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

[@prettythingsfashionandlifesyle]

Thank you guys for your service!

[@Madmac96]

Great video. My son just joined and his MOS is 15R Apache Attack Helicopter repairer. He leaves in August.

[@michealwirebaugh2589]

This is very helpful, this is the job I want so bad! I won’t sign the contract unless that’s my job lol plan on join right after the new years

[@MarkO-iq3im]

I'm an old school 67T. Funny to hear him say Limas were old 😂. I started crewing on Alphas lol.

[@Louie92801]

I'm at Fort Indiantown Gap right now going through AIT. Its a lot of information. My advice is when you get to school pay attention you cannot fail more than 2 tests.

[@coreymitchell3900]

Hold tf up the full 15 weeks ait is at the gap now?

[@Louie92801]

@@coreymitchell3900 Some go to Virginia I ended up going to Fort Indian Gap Town for 2 months it was a 8 week course and there was testing basically every day.

[@chandlertilton2427]

Otw to ait right now also a 15t from Florida!

[@alex3373]

Hello Brothers, I really enjoyed listening to your description of the 15T MOS, I was a Blackhawk crew chief myself now retired after 22 years, your description was accurate, I felt like I was listening to my Brothers in 185th aviation, thanks for sharing your knowledge with people who want to join, you guys sound very professional, keep up the good work, and yes to me this was the best job in the Army hands down 👍

[@robertgutheridge9672]

Former 15t uh-60 crew chief here as well 18.5 years blew my knees of or I would have done a couple more years . Becoming crew chief or door guner was the only way I was going to get to fly. I busted my butt learned everything I could made sure I did my work well but not to stand out. And after 5 years I got flight status.

[@804jojo6]

@@robertgutheridge9672i just had my first meeting with a recruiter today & have a shitload of paperwork to do tomorrow. my practice asvab was a 71 so he let me know more then likely i’ll qualify for 15t when i take the real test. i’m excited to learn and got a good mindset

[@abnertorres1095]

I had the most crucial job in the US Army, 92G, then it was food service specialist, now culinary specialist, either way, nothing moves without us!!!

[@nosofast]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Rotorhead1651]

Hey, guys. USAF 43150C here (basically 15T, but on H-53s). I worked the MH-53H Pavelow IIIs out of Hurlburt Field AFB, Mary Esther, up in the panhandle. Of course, that was a generation or 2 ago.

[@abp1400]

Great info man! I think I'll be doing AIT there but as a USAF guy! Former active duty Army in a diff MOS. Got out, long time ago, got bored decided to go AF reserve. Closest unit is one of those rare USAF units with helos (PAVEHawk) so I'll be fixing those for them. Probably go to AIT early next year.

[@BrieChiez]

Are you going in as a Special Missions Aviator? I’m trying to find out more information about the pipeline. Like how long it is and if you can do it as a reservist instead of AD.

[@abp1400]

@@BrieChiez No I'll be doing maintenance. I wanted SMA but they didn't have it unfortunately

[@idcanthony9286]

@Alex P how was your AIT I was hydro and a crew chief on AC-130s and C-130s. I’m looking at the Army now.

[@carlinbuntzen1318]

just got into 15T cant wait

[@mill8784]

How was the process like?

[@luissnutz3234]

I wish you guys were my friends haha yall cool asf

[@thehopefulgamer3546]

I’m back and I just enlisted MOS 15T I’m very excited

[@kuyagords]

My son is a 15T. I appreciate this!

[@mill8784]

Did he have to be a 15u before being a 15t?

[@kuyagords]

@@mill8784 No he went straight to 15T from Basic Training

[@mill8784]

@@kuyagords what do i have to score on the asvab to be a 15t and what did he score?

[@mill8784]

@@kuyagords did he have any college degree or anything?, i only have my highschool diploma and scored 25 on asvab do I qualify for it?

[@kuyagords]

@@mill8784 you don’t need a degree but I’m not sure about asvab score. A recruiter would know the answer.

[@claytonlewis3562]

Must have more personal when I was , it was 1 1/2 crew chiefs pre aircraft or sometimes 2 helicopters to 1 crew chiefs

[@samuelcook7179]

Retired CW3 USAR, I flew Bell Helicopter products my whole career. I loved my Crew Chiefs, had one who loved to eat on long cross country flights got expensive on WO1 pay. I could not function without my Crew Chief, in commercial aviation the A&P’s don’t function like an Army Crew Chief & miss it. MEDEVAC mission can be thrilling, the drawback is MSC Officer leadership & not Aviation Branch Officers in command. MSC branch Officers have short flying careers & expected move to a non-flying medical track.

[@hawaiianboy1743]

I am entering at a 15T, but hopefully later on down the line get my GT score up past 110 (104 right now) and wanna become a WO1 and fly the blackhawks.

[@samuelcook7179]

@@hawaiianboy1743 Key thing is, protect your hearing so you won’t get bounced out on a class I flight physical, keep a high PT score, don’t turn down any schools offered by the Army. Commanders, will write negative counseling statements on refusals for schools or transfers. Get a Warrant Officer mentor at your first unit and buy the books for ASVAB and SIFT and study hard. Learn to play golf & Aviators hang out on military golf courses a lot, and join their foursome. Avoid alcohol incidents, the Army has zero tolerance now the old days they had a little grace. The Hanger flight shop outside Fort Rucker in Daleville sells lots of Army Aviation study materials. The FAA has shorten the requirements for an A&P license if you’ve had military aircraft maintenance training. My Army Aviation experience has my biggest résumé builder, allow me to be at Bell Helicopter Engineering for many years & other aviation employers. Guy’s with A&P licensing seem more employable than Pilots. Today in corporate aviation, can’t seem to hire enough mechanics. The powerful & wealthy do not want to deal with airlines so they buy their own corporate jet & airlines are heavily subsidize the government now. Also, hang out the simulator building and learn how to service and repair them, CAE & FlightSafety are always looking for technicians. Welcome to Army Aviation.

[@robertgutheridge9672]

Former 15 tango uh-60 crew cheif medvac/ dust off crew's are the shit they have and will fly into hell with a bucket of gas and a match to get the men out. And they have absolutely nothing but my respect. I had a neighbor when I was a kid who was a medvac pilot in nam he didn't talk much about it other than a few stories about some crazy tight LZ he went into a few times. But it what started my love for rotor craft.

[@Louie92801]

Hey there thanks for the video. I was wondering is AIT in a bay like basic training? Or is there barracks? I'm reclassing and I'm stationed at Bragg and wanna bring my TV laptop ect.

[@JasonBower-ql3cd]

This are the Real Hero's of All national defense operations. Without them air land and sea vehicles don't do ...Jack. Lincoln Nebraska 🇺🇸🌽🐓

[@devynprovins1630]

Thinking about reclass from 91b to 15T

[@shacknastyray4429]

A little different from the 68N course back at Rucker in 1981..lol

[@xrevreflexions833]

I am currently in AIT at eustis as a 15T. So far, i love it. As for AIT, it's not bad. Do what you are supposed to do and the drill's wont mess with you. They just recently lifted most of the covid restrictions. We can now go off post again, but only on Saturdays. Graduation has been opened up to family again and we now have family day the day before graduation. When i showed up to eustis, we had to wait for about 7 weeks at fox company to start our classes. but for the last few weeks, people have been coming straight to charlie and aren't having to wait to start class. I can't say if that is permanent or not. So be prepared to spend more time at AIT than you thought, incase that wait gets reinstated.

[@m6rcy509]

Hey bro, currently enlisting and wanna go this route, how long did it take for the 15T position to open up, or was it available right off the bat?

[@nazgul_53]

I too want to go this route

[@paulwolff65]

Yo i only got a month left here at Charlie co...you in 2nd plt?

[@cesarcasilla8371]

Do you have to do alot of math at ait?

[@nazgul_53]

@@cesarcasilla8371 good question lol

[@kurtismoore9966]

Just finished meps and waiting for waivers, can I do airborne if I pick this MOS???

[@samuelschmitz8114]

I head to ait next Wednesday and wondering about what to pack I tried calling around and they said to pack what I think I’ll need but didn’t give me a actual packing list

[@jonathanprado6749]

Where are people getting stationed at normally? I leave July 11th 15U.

[@ScottAT]

It was a great life. 15T was truly an enjoyable career.

[@mill8784]

Do you have to be a 15u before being a 15t?

[@IGNACY-fp8zo]

​@@mill8784You probably know the answer by now, but those two MOS are completely unrelated, so you don't need to do 15U before 15T

[@aaronserrano5804]

as a 15T, do you get your BAS as a soldier living in the barracks not get Meal deductions?

[@ashantiscarter]

What was the line score you had for this particular type of job?

[@laangelsfan]

Do 35S Next 💯

[@YouAssassinated]

u just sign up for 35s?

[@YooAJ]

I’m switching to 15 series just for 160th

[@destinygo4616]

What would you say is better 15T or 15R?

[@isaiahbrinson3197]

Any advise for a 91b trying to reclass to a 15t.

[@CrewDogGamer]

if ya need any input from a full time 15U in the guard, i got you homie. being a fed tech is where its at!

[@pabloolivas6712]

I joined as 15 u. Any advice?

[@erics362]

What is a 32B?

[@claytonlewis3562]

Oh , n back in late 90s early 20 , the mos was swamped with infantry sgt's , wanting to be crew chiefs , real crew chiefs were locked in there ranks with no opposition's other to go back to school. But with high deployment that wasn't n option

[@dperignyjr]

You young guys coming up are pretty impressive. It gives me hope that the services aren't as ate-up as it is portrayed in the news (I don't think that was grammatically correct). Anyway, good on ya. All you guys will be in my prayers.

[@abbasibrahim5073]

I started watching all of your videos amazing info about military but what about those who has a second language like Spanish or Arabic? Is there any benefits of that being in military or when choosing a branch?

[@AaronbTV]

You’ll get paid extra for Arabic most likely

[@abbasibrahim5073]

@@AaronbTV thanks man

[@bobbytom7363]

Salam keefak I wanna join too as 91b mechanic بيدفعو ٥٠٠$ عشان لغه واحد او لهجه واحد ١٠٠٠ دولار عشان لغاتين او ٢ لهجه اكثر. دخلت الجيش؟

[@Outlaw_Actual11b]

Do you get to pick which battalion type you want to join? Like can you pick medic, assault, or ASB? Or does big army pick for you as with everything else

[@healthybenefits5328]

Depends on the Battalion and the SGM. but for 16th CAB usually, if you could not fly and could not pass your flight physical they put you into ASB or Maintenance company. If you passed your flight physical you could crew and be part of the medic and AHB companies. 2ID was the same way in Korea at Humprey and K-16, but I can't say for the rest of the units.

[@MrJimmyboy262]

Kinda late to the party, but could you ask a few questions for me? What’s the percentage of maintainers that become crew chiefs and actually start flying? Is it competitive to be able to start flying? Are there qualifications within the MOS for both maintenance and flight quals? Such are inspectors/instructors respectively. Lastly, if by chance he knows how likely someone is to reclass as a 15T or if the MOS is usually over staffed. Hopefully I’m not too late asking, thanks.

[@clark5858]

I've heard mixed statements about the availability of the MOS. I know the Army needs a lot of Tangos though. Right now, at our company in AIT there's 300+ of us compared to 50-100 of the other aviation MOS's, and we get a new class and have a graduating class every week. And as far as I know for crew chiefs, it's based on your PT scores, and your work as a Tango. Do quality work, do more than the minimum, and wait till your name gets called for a flight slot.

[@MrJimmyboy262]

@@clark5858 I appreciate the information. I have the same understanding that 15T needs a lot of people but for whatever reason they’re not letting people reclass based on what I was told from a career planner. And as prior service, they wouldn’t let me join as a 15T either even with having experience in aviation in another branch so it’s kinda mixed reviews for me as well.

[@hawaiianboy1743]

@@clark5858 that's incredibly weird, I'm currently a Loadmaster in the Air Force on the C-17A (current job) but also was a C-17 Crew Chief in the Air Force, I'm thinking of joining the Army and doing what I know best, and that is aviation. I was told by my friend who retired out of the Army to become a 15T since that job is just like my Air Force job (C-17 Crew Chief) and also as a Loadmaster (flew people and cargo around). Sounds like this job would fit me best as I do like to work with my hands and perform maintenance work and fly (hopefully they allow me too).

[@Pandem1ck1ller94]

I’m thinking about joining soon, already talked to a recruiter and interested in joining as a 15t

[@virgocx7178]

Same with me

[@mill8784]

Do u have to be a 15u before being a 15t?

[@Andrew-jv8kx]

Night Stalker is Task Force 160 Just so you know.

[@danielramirez3540]

Does anyone know anything about a 68 Romeo I have yet to find anything on this job but it sounds awesome

[@danielramirez3540]

What I think I know is that you can be stationed any army, navy, and marine base and your job is to go around and check food to see if it is still good and properly stored

[@percdigest8402]

@@danielramirez3540 so like a health inspector

[@LazlotheInstigator]

I was an instructor at Eustis... so... ya... RETRAINING

[@iamzay4938]

Thought y’all was brothers bro😂

[@thekitchenvillain]

15T at 160th SOAR is Special Operations not Special Forces. You taxi people to and from missions, rescue ops in the most dangerous environments, as well as provide overwatch. The 15U/15T are the “Door Gunners” and the 68W is the Special Operations Flight Medic. But other than them and the pilot, no one else is really going on mission. Even 15T/15U/68W have to be mission qualified and pay your dues long before they get in the helicopter. I found out a 42A was telling people he was special operations Nightstalker. It’s pretty comical to hear those things. Yes he was a nightstalker, no he never went inside the bird on missions.

[@cirodimarzio9725]

This is the mos I want!!! Also who works on the little birds ???

[@ethanscofield1013]

Most Aviation Brigades only have Blackhawks, Chinooks, and Apaches. Little birds are for Special Forces

[@urfeetsmelllikemeat6533]

You’d have to go get into the 160th and they pull 15r’s to work on little birds along with some 15t’s I think? The 15r’s are Apache repairers.

[@yvesgendron7842]

I was a 67tf3q2. Got out in 99

[@garrettcoop7524]

Where do you go to basic for 15 Tango

[@healthybenefits5328]

Basic most go to fort Jackson in SC but you could go to all the Basic training areas Ft Leonard in Missouri or fort Benning in Georgia where the 11 bang bang go to (grunts) or Fort Sill in OK.but, for AIT where you learn to be helicopter maintainer everybody goes to Fort Eustis Virginia it does not matter what 15 series you are. T, U, R ETC...

[@gonzalomena6955]

Y’all know anything about 15Q

[@davidstratton4695]

How would this work if you're in the National Guard or Reserves where you drill once per month/2 week summer? I'm in College and am looking between this and 68W

[@merma9042]

I'm going to basic at the end of this month so I'll figure it out.

[@davidstratton4695]

@@merma9042 Yk which training depot?

[@elijahcastin4663]

Aaron I want to see combat I don’t know if I should join marine infantry or army infantry what do u think I want to see combat

[@laangelsfan]

Both See Combat 😂💯But Go Army 🔥

[@phantasma9391]

You could join the army and go for the 11 Bravo or 11 Foxtrot MOS, basically all 11series MOS see combat.

[@AaronbTV]

Ukraine could use some help 👀

[@laangelsfan]

@@AaronbTV Lol Definitely 🔥😂

[@elijahcastin4663]

@@laangelsfan ok bet I think I’m going to be a 11b with option 4 contract witch means airborne got any advice

[@karmaasahi4951]

Man I wanna do this but i’m scared of not scoring high enough on my asvab

[@justsendit4779]

Just study for the MM score (Auto and Shop Information, Electronics Information, and Mechanical Comprehension). Obviously still do well on your AFQT because you need it to qualify for the Military and also your GT score. I've never worked in a shop or really done any of that type of work and still got over the MM score needed after studying for about a month (MM score of 104 is needed).

[@hawaiianboy1743]

Never gonna know unless you go take that test....Study study study, sleep well, eat a good breakfast, take that test and knock it out of the park man!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

[@kyleroman6111]

Can reservist/guard 15T get their A&P?

[@jakesmith9350]

You have the opportunity to test out. You’d have to bring your maintenance hours and some other stuff to the FAA take a written test and I believe a practical test. I’d definitely recommend taking a A&P course though. Theirs lots about engines we don’t know about that’s why theirs a separate mos for it. You wouldn’t necessarily have to take a full part 147 course. A lot of schools that offer part 147 have 2-3 month courses for military aviation personnel to get them up to speed on stuff they’ve never messed with.

[@shaad7255]

Are you awarded Aviation badges?

[@geofiles9933]

Yes

[@hawaiianboy1743]

I believe, once you pass your flight physical, and due time as a crew chief, and start flying, you'll earn Aviator wings. That's how I got my wings in the Air Force flying on the C-17.

[@colby8106]

Hey so I’m 19 and thinking about being a 91f. How is it being a black man in the army. I’ve heard good and terrible for us

[@AaronbTV]

Never had any bad things happen to me because I’m black, more often than not you hear more about the bad things compared to the good things

[@claytonlewis3562]

Injuries I'm fucked , back arms, head , yes hard landings

[@Yonneax]

Can you Interview a 15B please? And thank you! 🙏🏽

[@Moheezy]

We’re the best! That’s all you need to know lol

[@macaronitony2178]

@@Moheezy was looking at this mos, off the top of your head what would you say is different than 15 T

[@jackiechan6460]

I'm a 15T in an assault unit. My advice to the new guys, find a senior specialist or corporal and stick to that mf. Take his advice and do what he says without ego. Ask many questions. Senior tangos and NCOs are there for you. They will give you shit sometimes, but it's to make you better. If you can get on a phase team right away, do it. You'll learn a shit ton of maintenance. Before you know it, you'll be that Specialist that the new guys gravitate to. Be good to them, teach them. When you're new no one expects you to be great at the job, but they do expect a good attitude and high work ethic.

[@seththomas6350]

I will say, you don’t have your A&P as a 15T. It’s the whole reason I’m watching this video.. I work for a company that hires 15T’s starting at $30 an hour so there’s that..

[@neonrage9619]

13M next

[@rafiqdavidson]

Mane I’m shipping out in abt 2 week my mos is 15U chinook

[@dasnas2843]

What score on the ASVAB do you have to make to become a 15t Black hawk maintainer

[@alexo.3758]

you need a 104 on the mechanical section

[@williamroldan4364]

As long as u score 40 or above and do well in the Auto & shop, Mechanical knowledge and i thino math, you'll qualify for it. Your MM score has to be above 104! I just took mine and my MM was like 160 so most likely i'll be going for this MOS

[@brandonmcginnis4610]

Night Stalkers aren't special forces they're Special Operations.

[@Andrew-jv8kx]

Who want's to be a crew chief on an Apache? They don't fly.

[@marcellouscobbii1350]

First

[@watts805]

p♥r♥o♥m♥o♥s♥m 😡

[@mannybeats4055]

what ASVAB or picas score do u need for this job