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91F Career Guide

Army

91F: Small Arms/Artillery Repairer

Career transition guide for Army Small Arms/Artillery Repairer (91F)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 91F veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Small Arms Repair Technician

$45K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Specific manufacturer certifications (e.g., Glock, Sig Sauer)Knowledge of civilian firearms laws

Maintenance Supervisor

$75K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

OSHA safety certificationsExperience with specific industry equipment (e.g., CNC machines, robotics)Project management skills

Field Service Technician

$60K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Specific equipment certifications (e.g., industrial machinery, medical equipment)Excellent customer service skills

Quality Control Inspector

$55K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Knowledge of quality control standards (e.g., ISO 9001)Experience with inspection tools and techniques

Machinist

$50K
Moderate matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

CNC programmingCAD/CAM software proficiencyBlueprint reading

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 91F training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

91F's build mental models of weapons systems to diagnose issues, anticipate failure points, and perform effective repairs. They understand how various components interact.

The ability to understand complex systems and their interdependencies translates to effectively troubleshooting and maintaining complex equipment in various civilian sectors.

Procedural Compliance

Strict adherence to technical manuals, safety protocols, and maintenance procedures is essential for 91F's to ensure the safety and reliability of weapons systems.

Your commitment to following established protocols and regulations is highly valuable in regulated industries where safety and precision are paramount.

Degraded-Mode Operations

91F's are trained to perform repairs and maintenance under challenging conditions, often with limited resources and time, requiring them to adapt and find creative solutions.

Your experience in maintaining equipment under pressure and with limited resources equips you to handle unexpected breakdowns and maintain operational efficiency in demanding environments.

Situational Awareness

Maintenance supervisors must maintain awareness of the operational status of all equipment, anticipate potential maintenance needs, and coordinate resources to support mission requirements.

Your capacity to understand the big picture, anticipate problems, and coordinate activities translates directly to managing projects and resources effectively in a civilian setting.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Wind Turbine Technician

SOC 49-9086

You've been working on complex mechanical systems, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring operational readiness, much like maintaining the complex machinery of a wind turbine. Your experience with technical documentation and diagnostics translates perfectly to this field.

Amusement and Recreation Mechanic

SOC 49-9091

You've been trained to keep complex systems running smoothly, and amusement park rides are exactly that! You're able to diagnose problems, perform preventative maintenance, and ensure safety, which are all crucial in this role.

Robotics Technician

SOC 49-2094

You've been trained to work on complex mechanical and electrical systems, which is the foundation for robotics. Your skills in troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance are highly transferable to the field of robotics, where you'll work on cutting-edge technology.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Ordnance School, Fort Gregg-Adams, VA

480 training hours12 weeksUp to 6 semester hours recommended in basic mechanical maintenance

Topics Covered

  • Basic weapon nomenclature and operation
  • Small arms maintenance (M4/M16 series, M249, M240)
  • Towed artillery maintenance (M119A3, M777)
  • Troubleshooting and diagnostics
  • Use of technical manuals and diagnostic equipment
  • Armorer tools and equipment operation
  • Basic metalworking and repair techniques

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)60% covered

Requires study in areas such as reliability program management, business management, manufacturing process reliability, and organizational leadership, as the military training focuses more on the technical aspects of maintenance.

Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM)50% covered

The military training provides a solid foundation in maintenance practices, but further study is needed in areas like financial management, strategic planning, and human resource management specific to civilian maintenance operations.

Recommended Next Certifications

Lean Six Sigma Green BeltProject Management Professional (PMP)Certified Quality Technician (CQT)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
M1 Abrams Tank SystemsHeavy Equipment Diagnostics and Repair (e.g., Caterpillar ET, Cummins Insite)
Bradley Fighting Vehicle SystemsHeavy Equipment Diagnostics and Repair (e.g., Caterpillar ET, Cummins Insite)
TACOM Technical ManualsOEM repair manuals and diagnostic software
Caliber Verification SystemsPrecision Measurement and Calibration Equipment
Small Arms CollimatorsBore sighting tools for hunting/sporting rifles
Artillery Survey Equipment (e.g., M777 Howitzer aiming)Land Surveying Equipment (Theodolites, GPS)

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