I feel like I'm cursed. Every time I do a PMS (Preventive Maintenance Service) on the helicopter, it's always the same thing that breaks. I know the obvious choice is taking an extra one with me. When we wash it, I'm always the last person to finish the job just because I work on the tail, and I have more panels to install, and we wash it from front to the tail, so it seems like to everyone else, I'm taking too much time to do the job. I also get the last minute jobs, when everybody else sits around. Sorry just had to vent. I also HATE doing the pro-seal. I tried wearing gloves, but some how, It always sticks to my uniform and me. Since it's flying in Iraq, it's always dirty also (especially the tail). I'm tired of changing my uniform everyday. Since it's a helicopter, there's more things to go wrong because of more moving parts moving at high speeds. Also, there are limits to everything on this darn thing. The only reason I'm working on helicopter right now is because, I wasn't a US citizen when I enlisted, so Air force wouldn't give me a job in aviation, so I went to the Army instead.

That's why I want to move on to the fixed side of aviation. Just because I like fixed wing more better.

Thanks for reading.......

 

The Navy's response would be "choose your rate, choose your fate."

Pursue a MOS change if you can. If you can't, excel in what you are doing now. Identify the positive things around you and concentrate on those. If you don't, the misery you feel now will only consume you putting other's lives at risk.

 

I'm not saying I don't appreciate what I do. I know people's lives are at risk. I'm just stating that, I don't like working on the equipment that I choose to work. Besides, I think the fixed wing aircraft the Army flies are maintained by civilians, so as a soldier, I can't work on them anyway.

 

Thank you for your service.

Just take it 1 day at a time.

 

I'm a Chemical guy in the Army and this is a MOS that is difficult to like, so I hear ya.

 

There is a support group for people like you and I who share this problem. It is called "everyone". We meet at the bar.

 

Longbow, I hated sitting in a Sheridan Tank when it was freezing outside and I was basically crouched in an icebox. That said, the sacrifice that you are making now to protect our country, and taking care of our fleet of aircraft is admirable - and more than most Americans will ever do in their lifetime.

Keep the faith, may you be safe, and take heart, the issues you are facing now will be realized as a valuable life experience down the road.

11Fan (MOS: 11 Delta)
2nd Armored Cav.
US Army 1973-1976