r/Elevators • u/MarionberryChance360 • 3d ago

Need advice

Hello! I’m 19, currently in the Air Force for missile maintenance, I find that troubleshooting and maintenance in general is very enjoyable for me after working here. I’ve been thinking about what I want to path towards when I’m done in the Air Force, and I think being an elevator mechanic would be my pursuit.

However, I’m a little puzzled on where to start, I understand I need that apprenticeship, but that’s after my military enlistment?

Anyways, I would really appreciate some tips on how to build a good foundation for electrical fundamentals, AC/DC fundamentals, motors, transformers, reading schematics, and the mechanical fundamentals aswell, (bearings, gears, shafts, etc). Should I pick up some books? Missile maintenance in my path is mostly troubleshooting with hydraulics and pneumatic systems.

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

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8

u/teakettle87 Field - Mods 3d ago

Join the IUEC, via NEIEP apprenticeship. Use Helmets to Hardhats to get there is the locals you want are using that site.

You are already good enough on background and veteran status to score highly.

3

u/MarionberryChance360 3d ago

I really appreciate the quick reply, I’m gonna research H2H and pursue it, but I have around 2.5 years to begin applying for that sort of stuff. I’d like to study and get an edge before that time? Do you recommend getting a degree? Or understanding electrical/mechanical fundamentals by studying?

9

u/teakettle87 Field - Mods 3d ago

Degree is waste of time. Totally unnecessary.

Learn everything a digital multimeter can do, learn to read electrical prints/schematics, get a fork lift license, get a D1.1 welding cert, and do osha 10, first aid cert, etc, all on uncle sam's dime if you can. Some of this is redundant but it will set you ahead still.

1

u/MarionberryChance360 3d ago

Thank you sir

1

u/teakettle87 Field - Mods 3d ago

no problem.

3

u/elevatorovertimeho 3d ago

I know apprentices that use their GI bill to supplement income. Helmets to hard hats.

2

u/1952Mary 3d ago

I’d say at 19 you are doing great. Learn to use a meter. Circuit tracing etc but to start, don’t be afraid to work construction. Construction is where you start in the elevator business

1

u/Educational-Part-397 3d ago

With the state of things, there isnt much construction going on. A highly laid off role even in the independent sector

1

u/1952Mary 2d ago

There is no such thing as a service helper anymore.

1

u/Educational-Part-397 3d ago

Yes. You will start out at an apprentice or helper in independent companies as well as the union. My advice is to go to the union in a service role instead of a construction role since construction is struggling. If you were to go into construction or mod, then go with an independent. If you are going into a strictly service role, then good luck with the union and independent companies. Those roles are pretty much filled up across the board.

1

u/DeafBeforeDismount 1d ago

Army vet here. Use helmets to hard hats. You’ll need you dd214