Machinery Repairman

Machinery Repairmen (MR) are skilled machine tool operators. They make replacement parts and repair systems across the ship. Your job responsibilities as an MR may include:

• Operating and repairing auxiliary machinery
• Calculating time and materials needed for machine shop work and repairs
• Sketching, preparing specifications for and producing replacement parts
• Operating machine shop equipment, such as lathes, drill presses, bench grinders and more
• Working with precision measuring instruments such as depth gauges, calipers, protractors and more
• Engraving metal and other materials
• Performing electroplating and flame spraying operations

As a Machinery Repairman, your work will usually take place indoors in a machine shop environment. You can expect assignments to Navy ships as well as shore stations both in the U.S. and overseas.

Upon completion of initial training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes (known as Boot Camp), you’ll report for specialized training, including:

Engineering Common Core and “A” School (18 weeks) in Great Lakes, IL, for training in basic mechanical theory and technical documentation, and familiarization with machines, shop tools, equipment and methods.

After you complete your training, you may be assigned to a Navy machine shop aboard a ship, a repair base or various other shore facilities in the U.S. or overseas. You may also receive a recruiting duty assignment at some point during your service.

Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance.

Advanced Training

Advanced training as a Machinery Repairman may also be available during later stages of your career. For those with further leadership aspirations and a college degree, Officer roles may be available, providing opportunities to lead and train others.

Post-Service Opportunities

Specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields in the civilian world, such as licensed machine operators, metal fabrication technicians and equipment mechanics.

Beyond offering access to professional credentials and certifications, Navy technical and operational training as a Machinery Repairman can translate to credit hours toward a bachelor’s or associate degree through the American Council on Education.

You may also continue your education through undergraduate degree opportunities like the Navy College Program and Tuition Assistance and the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

A high-school diploma or equivalent is required to become an Enlisted Sailor and a Machinery Repairman. You must also be a U.S. citizen eligible for security clearance.

As a MR, you should possess strong arithmetic and communication skills, as well as an aptitude for working with tools, equipment and machinery. You should be able to perform detailed work, keep accurate records and work well with others.

Important personal attributes for MR applicants include resourcefulness, curiosity, physical strength, normal use of your hands and normal hearing.

General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before.

Serving part-time as a Navy Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Machinery Repairmen in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes.

For annual training, you may serve anywhere in the world, including locations in the U.S., at bases overseas or in areas where humanitarian needs are great.

Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.

Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent of that.

Machinery Repairmen in the Navy Reserve serve in an Enlisted role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with the job, initial training requirements must be met.

For current or former military Enlisted servicemembers, prior experience satisfies the initial Recruit Training requirement, so you will not need to go through Boot Camp again.

For those without prior military experience, you will need to meet the initial Recruit Training requirement by attending Boot Camp in Great Lakes, IL. This training course will prepare you for service in the Navy Reserve and count as your first Annual Training.