Careers Career Paths Army Job Profile: 15U "Chinook" CH-47 Helicopter Repairer The Chinook is one of the Army's most-utilized helicopters Print Image by Melissa Ling © 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 History of the Chinook Helicopter Duties for MOS 15U Training Information for MOS 15U 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 06/20/19 It's nice when an Army job title tells exactly what the job will entail. The CH-47 Helicopter Repairer, is, unsurprisingly, tasked with repairing these helicopters. Nicknamed the "Chinook," this aircraft is one of the heaviest the Army has and is used in numerous missions every year. This job gets the designation of military occupational specialty (MOS) 15U. History of the Chinook Helicopter This transport chopper has been a part of the Army since the Vietnam War when it was instrumental in getting soldiers and supplies into mountainous regions of the island country. The Chinook has two engines on each side of its rear pylon. Since it has counter-rotating rotors, it doesn't need the traditional overhead, or antitorque, vertical rotor. This gives it the power to lift and thrust without major changes to its center of gravity. This makes it ideal for lifting and dropping cargo, and is more stable as it hovers. And if one of its engines fails, the other engine can power both of its rotors. Duties for MOS 15U These soldiers remove and install engines, rotors, gearboxes, transmissions and mechanical flight controls in the Chinook, and inspect all its parts, including wings, fuselage, and tail. Training Information for MOS 15U Job training for a CH-47 helicopter repairer requires ten weeks of Basic Combat Training and 16 weeks of Advanced Individual Training at Fort Eustis in Virginia. You'll learn engine repair, including how to fix hydraulic, fuel and electrical systems, as well as how to repair aluminum, steel and fiberglass airframes and coverings. You'll need to score at least a 104 in the mechanical maintenance (MM) aptitude area of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tests, but there's no Department of Defense clearance required for MOS 15U. There are, however, a few factors that could make you ineligible for this job. A history of drug or alcohol use is disqualifying, as is the use of marijuana after age 18. Any documented instances of sale or possession of narcotics or other dangerous drugs also will disqualify you from this job. Similar Civilian Occupations to MOS 15U While a lot of helicopter repairers go on to flight school and become pilots, not all do. You'll be well positioned for a variety of careers after leaving the Army. The most obvious is a potential career as an airframe or airline mechanic. But you'll also be eligible for a variety of mechanic jobs, and likely be qualified to work in a garage, auto body shop or auto dealership.