Careers Career Paths US Army Job Profile: 15N Avionic Mechanic These mechanics keep the Army's aircraft running Share PINTEREST Email Print Image by Alison Czinkota © The Balance 2019 Career Paths US Military Careers Technology Careers Sports Careers Sales Project Management Professional Writer Music Careers Media Legal Careers Government Careers Finance Careers Fiction Writing Careers Entertainment Careers Criminology Careers Book Publishing Aviation Animal Careers Advertising Learn More Table of Contents Expand Job Duties Training Information Requirements Similar Civilian Occupations By Rod Powers Rod Powers Air Force NCO Academy Rod Powers was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on 06/10/19 In the Army, an avionic mechanic is an aircraft version of a grease monkey. These soldiers know the complex avionics equipment used to fly Army planes inside and out. Avionics mechanic is military occupational specialty (MOS) 15N and plays a critical role in keeping Army planes and their equipment safe and up to date. It is a military job suitable for someone who has an affinity or preference for mathematics and shop mechanics, an interest in working with aircraft, and good multi-tasking abilities. The ability to work well as part of a team is as important for this job as with any other in the Army (or any branch of the U.S. military). Job Duties These soldiers perform maintenance on Army aircraft flight controls, avionics, and cryptographic equipment. They work on all flight control systems, including tactical communications, security, navigation and flight control. They're also involved with troubleshooting and maintenance of aircraft systems and the tools used to repair and diagnose those systems. Training Information Job training for an avionic mechanic requires ten weeks of Basic Combat Training and 25 weeks of Advanced Individual Training with on-the-job instruction. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Like other flight mechanics in the Army, Avionics mechanics train at the Army's Aviation Logistics School at Fort Eustis in Virginia. After completing the training to be an avionics mechanic, soldiers may pursue additional training to specialize in a particular aircraft, such as the Black Hawk, Apache, Chinook or Kiowa helicopters. Soldiers for MOS 15N will learn to restore avionics and subsystems, basic electronics theory and soldering and systems-installation practices. Requirements To qualify for this highly technical Army job, soldiers will need a to score a 93 in the Electronics (EL) aptitude area of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. This job requires a secret security clearance since its soldiers are dealing with highly sensitive information about Army aircraft, so you'll be subject to a background check. It will include criminal records check, and financial records check, as well as interviews with personal and professional references. A history of drug or alcohol abuse will disqualify soldiers from this job, including experimental use of marijuana after age 18. Any documented instances of drug dealing will also be disqualifying. Soldiers who wish to pursue MOS 15N need normal color vision (no colorblindness) and must be U.S. citizens. Similar Civilian Occupations The skills you learn as an Army avionics mechanic will help prepare you for a career with commercial airlines, aircraft manufacturers and other organizations that have fleets of airplanes/helicopters. These are highly sought after skills, with tremendous career potential.