Heavy Equipment Operator; Career in the US Army

The US Army offers exciting and rewardingBasic Training and four to twelve weeks of AIT
career openings for heavy construction equipment(Advanced Individual Training) in Missouri. The
operators with relevant skills and experience. Thetraining period for different construction
key duties of heavy construction equipmentequipment differs and the length of the initial
operators in the US military are to operatetraining would depend on the equipment to be
various machineries such as crawler and wheeledoperated on the first assignment. Seven weeks
tractors with dozer attachments, scoop loader,of training is also provided on how to operate and
motorized grader and towed or self propelledperform general operator level maintenance to
scraper. The job requires skills to interpret5-ton dump trucks, M 915 tractor with semi
information on grade stakes. In the course oftrailer, dozer, grader, scraper and scoop loader.
their duties, these operators would clear grubs,After successful completion of the course, there
strips, fill material with scrapers, makemay be further training for operation of other
excavations and load different material using aequipment depending on the requirements of the
loader. They would also be expected to spreadduties to be assigned in the place of posting.
material evenly and level out ground, construct aThe Initial Entry Training or the IET is essentially
v ditch using a grader, lift and move steel andintended to transform a civilian into a technically
other heavy building materials using winches,and tactically competent soldier and to inculcate in
cranes, and hoists, and dig holes and trencheshim the values of the US army. This process is a
using power shovels. Other common tasks includetough and comprehensive process, which requires
the transportation of heavy material andcomplete dedication on the part of the trainee to
construction equipment using tractor and trailer tocompletely transform in accordance with the
provide assistance during engineering missionsrequirements of a distinguished military career. In
under combat conditions.the initial phase of training, together with
Heavy equipment operators in the army wouldfamiliarizing the trainee with the goals and values
also be called upon to construct berms, excavateof a military career, focus is also placed on the
side slopes with a crawler tractor, performdevelopment of the individual basic combat skills
grading and finish side slopes mixing stabilizingand physical fitness.
material with soil and surface and drainageThe second phase of training for a heavy
maintenance. The physical demands for the initialequipment operator is called the GUNFIGHTER
award of MOS (Military Occupation Specialty) arephase and as the name suggests, it focuses on
extremely high. A physical profile conforming toweaponry training. These fairly long and intensive
222221 as per US Army standards is essential. Ittraining processes culminate in the making of a
is also a critical criterion that the incumbent shouldcompetent combatant with special skills as a
not be colorblind.heavy equipment operator.
To qualify for a job as a heavy equipmentThe pay and benefits for a heavy equipment
operator in the US army, a minimum score of 90operator are as per US Army standards for
in the aptitude area, GM is expected. A valid statesoldiers. On completion of military service, there
motor vehicle operator license is also aexist scores of opportunities for being employed
prerequisite. The induction provided to a newin the civilian sector also.
recruit in this position consists of nine weeks of