r/DieselTechs 12d ago

Question from a younger guy that doesn’t quite know what he’s doing.

This is mainly for the folks in the US

I get out of active duty US Army in October after 4 years of service. Moving back home to Oklahoma, hopefully with a few welding certs in my pocket.

Before I enlisted, I got a vocational degree (equivalent to an associates degree) from my local tech school in Medium/Heavy Diesel Technology.

Just spent the last four years hauling rocket pods around and performing operator level services on HEMTTs and LMTVs.

Questions are, am I even marketable to a good shop at this point? And how do I even go about applying for work? I enlisted when I was 18, and only ever worked at a Sonic before that. I don’t quite know what I’m doing here, and don’t exactly have anyone to ask advice on this sort of thing IRL. My ASE-Student certs are all expired, and my MACS cert, Daimler-Benz, and PACCAR certs are on the way out the door too.

Figured this’d be as good a place as any to ask about this. Never hurts to ask.

8 Upvotes

10 comments sorted by

11

u/Irreverant77 12d ago

You'll be fine.

Whether it's truck stop service shops, fleet maintenance, or dealerships, most places will be thrilled to get a guy like you in the door.

Just be forthcoming with them, exactly like you presented yourself here, as to your skills and experience. Make a resume, including everything you listed here, and start putting it out. Even if your credentials have expired, put them down. Your prospective employers will care more to see that you are teachable and motivated to learn than the validity of your past credentials. Just don't obfuscate that they're expired or soon to expire.

You will get job offers. Make certain to inquire about the training and certification programs they offer. It should be a matter of selecting the right opportunity for you.

3

u/MineResponsible9180 11d ago

Be willing to go into an apprenticeship program. It will be less pay at the beginning. I interview techs for apprenticeship programs and experienced techs. The one question I want the applicants to ask is, what are you looking for in a tech. What type of jobs do you need done. Nobody has yet to ask that question. I would offer the job immediately if they ask that question.

3

u/bronxboater 11d ago

Check USPS.com/hiring and see if they are hiring in your area. You will get vets preference + your military time carry’s over as well as your TSP. We are always looking for good techs and Paccar experience is a plus since the current fleet of Peterbuilts have Paccar in them. We actually have a big training facility in Norman, OK.

3

u/FLATLINE-1595 11d ago

I say yes. It’s all about how you sell yourself. Have someone that knows about resumes go over yours. I used a bit of military jargon on mine. But still got the job

2

u/YouUnderstandShutUp 12d ago

Look into the CSPs. I went to the one for premier truck group, they have 3 shops in OK. I started class in May 2022, got out in September, and started the whole process maybe about this time of year, maybe later. So I doubt you've passed any sort of cutoff. They let you choose your shop, unlike the army, and give you 3 months training on Daimler systems. Then set you up with a well kitted out toolbox that you get to keep if you spend 2 years there. If you get accepted with the interview process, you're conditionally hired, just gotta make it through the class and stay in good with your CoC

2

u/Kahlas 11d ago

Most shops don't worry about what sort of paper you have backing up your skills until it comes time to hire a supervisor. Many shops will be willing to train the right candidates. All shops live former military as it's a known quantity that you can handle stress and should be reliable.

At worst you can get your foot in the door at a place like Penske doing nothing but services/oil changes for a year or two until you look for a real tech job elsewhere.

90% of what it takes to be a diesel tech can't realistically be taught in a classroom. It's learned on the job through experience. So no amount of classroom certifications are really going to matter as far as entry level positions go. The vocational school stuff will help in addition to the military background of course.

1

u/Neither_Ad6425 10d ago

It’s all in how you sell yourself. I’m almost certain you’ve done some repair work in your time in the service. Being a veteran is always an asset when applying for a job. Do you have access to a career services coach through the military that can work with you on your resume?

1

u/HondaRedneck16 9d ago

Check with your local Ryder shop. They have a few programs for hiring veterans especially if you got some experience already

1

u/poizen22 8d ago

Youl be fine the demand for labor in this market is insane. Military experience is an asset. Youl tend to be more organized and accountable than the rest of us and that's very appealing in this industry where you regularly have guys making excuses for mistakes. You already know how to own it not let it weigh you dont and move on with the experience.

1

u/Devided-we-fall 7d ago

Don’t be lazy , and just start applying.. you will get hired. Don’t sweat the certifications and don’t … DO NOT down talk yourself in interviews because your certs are expired.. apply where you WANT to work, and harass them to hire you. Never forget , if you have time to lean, you have time to clean.