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91L Career Guide

Army

91L: Construction Equipment Repairer

Career transition guide for Army Construction Equipment Repairer (91L)

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Civilian Career Pathways

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

Heavy Equipment Mechanic

$65K
High matchHigh demand

Maintenance Supervisor

$78K
High matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project Management Professional (PMP) certificationOSHA safety standards training

Construction Equipment Technician

$62K
High matchHigh demand

Diesel Mechanic

$58K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)Specialized diesel engine certifications (e.g., Cummins, Caterpillar)

Technical Trainer (Equipment Maintenance)

$70K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Curriculum developmentInstructional design principlesExcellent communication and presentation skills

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

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

System Modeling

As a 91L, you develop a deep understanding of how complex construction equipment systems operate, including their interconnected components and potential failure points. You use this knowledge to diagnose problems, predict maintenance needs, and optimize equipment performance.

This ability to understand and model complex systems translates directly to the civilian world where you can quickly grasp the intricacies of industrial machinery, manufacturing processes, or even logistical networks.

Resource Optimization

You are responsible for managing resources like tools, parts, and personnel to ensure maintenance operations are efficient and cost-effective. This includes prioritizing tasks, allocating resources appropriately, and minimizing downtime.

Your experience in resource optimization is highly valuable in civilian roles where you'll be responsible for maximizing efficiency, reducing waste, and improving productivity.

Team Synchronization

As a supervisor, you coordinate and synchronize the efforts of your maintenance team to complete complex tasks. This requires clear communication, delegation of responsibilities, and ensuring everyone is working towards a common goal.

Your team synchronization skills make you an effective leader and collaborator in any civilian work environment. You understand how to motivate team members, resolve conflicts, and ensure smooth operations.

Procedural Compliance

You adhere to strict maintenance procedures and regulations to ensure safety and quality. You understand the importance of following protocols and documenting your work accurately.

Your commitment to procedural compliance is highly valued in industries where safety and quality are paramount. You're well-prepared to follow established guidelines and maintain high standards of performance.

Degraded-Mode Operations

You can troubleshoot and repair equipment under challenging conditions, often with limited resources or time. You are adept at finding creative solutions and improvising when necessary to keep operations running.

This skill demonstrates your ability to handle pressure, think on your feet, and adapt to unexpected situations, making you a valuable asset in dynamic and demanding work environments.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Reliability Engineer

SOC 17-2141.00

You've been meticulously maintaining and troubleshooting complex machinery, predicting and preventing failures. As a Reliability Engineer (17-2141.00), you'll apply your expertise to improve the design and maintenance of equipment, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing downtime. Your understanding of system modeling and procedural compliance will be invaluable.

Logistics Manager

SOC 11-3071.00

You've been optimizing resource allocation and coordinating maintenance operations. As a Logistics Manager (11-3071.00), you will apply this experience to oversee the efficient flow of goods, materials, and information within an organization. Your skills in resource optimization and team synchronization are directly transferable.

Facilities Manager

SOC 11-3012.00

You've been responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of diverse equipment. As a Facilities Manager (11-3012.00), you will leverage your knowledge of systems and procedures to oversee the operation and maintenance of buildings, grounds, and equipment. Your experience with degraded-mode operations will be especially useful in handling unexpected facility issues.

Training & Education Equivalencies

91L Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Fort Leonard Wood, MO

630 training hours15 weeksUp to 9 semester hours recommended in Diesel Mechanics, Heavy Equipment Maintenance, or related fields

Topics Covered

  • Basic Hydraulics and Pneumatics
  • Engine Troubleshooting and Repair (Diesel)
  • Electrical Systems Diagnostics and Repair
  • Welding and Metal Fabrication
  • Preventive Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) on Heavy Equipment
  • Earthmoving Equipment Operation and Maintenance (e.g., bulldozers, graders, loaders)
  • Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Systems Maintenance
  • Hydraulic System Maintenance and Repair

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Certified Equipment Manager (CEM)65% covered

Study fleet management principles, lifecycle costing, and advanced maintenance management strategies specific to civilian construction operations. Focus on business administration and project management as it applies to equipment fleets.

Associate Safety Professional (ASP)40% covered

Study safety management principles, risk assessment methodologies, and relevant OSHA regulations. Focus on construction-specific safety standards and practices, as well as legal and ethical considerations for safety professionals.

Project Management Professional (PMP)30% covered

Study formal project management methodologies (PMBOK), including initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing projects. Focus on project scope, time, and cost management, as well as human resources, communications, and risk management.

Recommended Next Certifications

Certified Fleet Manager (CFM)Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety CertificationLean Six Sigma Green Belt

Technical Systems Translation

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

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Heavy Equipment Transporter System (HETS)Lowboy trailers for transporting heavy equipment
Forward Repair System (FRS)Mobile repair workshops, field service vehicles
M9 Armored Combat Earthmover (ACE)Armored Bulldozers and Construction Vehicles for Harsh Environments
All Terrain Lifter Army System (ATLAS) forkliftRough Terrain Forklifts
Standard Automotive Tool Set (SATS)Mechanic's tool sets, automotive diagnostic tools
Battlefield Recovery and Evacuation System (BRES)Commercial tow trucks and recovery vehicles
Global Combat Support System-Army (GCSS-Army)SAP ERP, Oracle EBS, or similar enterprise resource planning systems for logistics and maintenance management

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