MACHINERY TECHNICIAN (MK)


To view a video of this rate, click here.

As one of the Coast Guard's largest ratings, Machinery Technician (MK) offers opportunities for assignment at every Coast Guard cutter, boat, and shore station. MKs are trained not only as technicians, but as managers and leaders --- acquiring a breadth of knowledge in all areas of machinery operation and maintenance from internal combustion engines (gas/diesel gas turbines) to environmental support systems (heating/ventilations/air conditioning), hydraulics, basic electricity, and areas of hazardous material recovery and control. In addition, MKs will learn to work on the Coast Guard's computers and computer-based programs. Many MKs are also called on to act as federal law enforcement officers.

Types of Duty:

Upon advancement, an MK may be assigned as a Shop Supervisor (managing equipment and personnel) or Engineering Petty Officer (responsible for overall management of the unit engineering department, including personnel).

Training Available:

Begin with 12 weeks of training at MK 'A' School in Yorktown, VA, or on-the-job training.

Qualifications:

To be an MK, you must have normal color vision and mechanical aptitude, with average or better ability to solve mathematical problems. Practical experience as a mechanic, machinist, or power plant operator is extremely valuable. School courses in mechanics, machine shop, electricity, and practical math are also desirable.

Related Civilian Jobs:

Auto/Truck Mechanic
Heavy-Duty Equipment Repair
Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning
Shipyard Work - Mechanical

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Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!

posted from old MK thread;

Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted 1/1/2010 3:52 PM (GMT -5)
I am an active duty MK. I have been stationed at a wide variety of units, attended multiple "C" schools, and enjoyed some interesting TAD assignments. Feel free to ask any questions you want.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




Rexdriver57
Registered Member


Date Joined Oct 2009
Total Posts : 6 Posted 1/7/2010 12:29 PM (GMT -5)
Gears,

My son is currently an FA assigned to the "A Gang" on a 378, and he likes it very much. He is 99% sure that he wants to go MK, but the DC guys like to try and "recruit" him away. When he joined, he was originally interested in DC. I have a couple of questions that I hope you can shed some light on:

When he graduates A school, will he have much choice as to where he wants to be assigned as an MK?

After A school, are his chances of being assigned to an afloat unit more or less than being assigned to an ashore unit as an MK? About the same? Coin toss?

At this point, he plans on making the CG his career, but you never know. Would you say that the job opportunities in the civilian world are greater for someone with MK training than DC training? I was recently told this by a retired CG officer, just wanted your take on it.

Thanks for your input, I don't have much chance to talk with him these days since he is living on the ship. Take care.




Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted 1/7/2010 4:52 PM (GMT -5)
Rex,

I started out as an FA on a 270' in Main Prop, I was successfully recruited by the MKs.

At "A" school they will receive a list of open billets, one for each person in the class. 20 people 20 billets. I don't know how the selections for those billets are made. When I was in "A" school we had large cutters, river tenders, stations, support teams. The class after us had almost all stations. So, it's a roll of the dice.

What choice he has depends on how the school divies up those billets. Some classes do it by assignment priority, and some do it by class ranking.

The job opportunities really depend on what he wants to do on the outside. If he wants to get into NAV ENG, small engine repair, marine mechanics, AC&R, MK for sure. If he is interested in becoming a fire fighter, welder, wants to build his own Ark (don't laugh I've seen it) DC for sure.

I don't know what all of the opportunites are for "C" schools for DCs, a DC on board his unit can fill him in. But, there are a whole bunch for us. I have personally been to Caterpillar 3304, Fairbanks Morse Opposed Piston Engine, MTU Diesel Engine, Honda Outboard, Advanced Hydraulics, AC&R, Engineering Administration, and Centralized Supply school.

On top of all that, there is an MK at every unit in the CG. If he wants variety in his career, this is the best way to do it, IMHO. If you want to go more indepth drop me a PM.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




Rexdriver57
Registered Member


Date Joined Oct 2009
Total Posts : 6 Posted Yesterday 9:16 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks Gears, that was great help not only for me, but I assume also for other MK candidates reading this board. My son got his drawings and quals done and passed his board in a little over a month onboard, so I know he is very motivated to stick with MK, and he really likes it a lot.

Thanks again, it's nice for parents as well as CG members to have a place to go and get a straigh answer.




Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted Yesterday 12:3 PM (GMT -5)
Anytime Rex, I'm always willing to help recruit a future MK. Someone needs to keep those pesky BMs in line.
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."




boatforces
Trust me. I do this all the time...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 40 Posted Yesterday 5:05 PM (GMT -5)
Admit it Gears, an MK's life would be a hollow shell if it wasn't for us "pesky" BM's keeping you guys on your toes. :)
In the CG you're either a Boatswains Mate or you work for one




Gears
The cake is a lie...




Date Joined Nov 2009
Total Posts : 147 Posted Yesterday 5:28 PM (GMT -5)
This is true Boatforces, we really have a parasitic/symbiotic relationship don't we?
"When you fall on your face you are still moving forward."

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Vr,
Chuck

These poor, plain men, dwellers upon the lonely sands of Hatteras, took their lives in their hands, and, at the most imminent risk crossed the most tumultuous sea…and all for what? That others might live to see home and friends. — Annual Report of the U.S. Life- Saving Service, 1885

Recruiting Website

Read here for answers to the most often asked questions about joining the Coast Guard!

...I am going through the depot program for basic I am not prior service but do to my age this will be the way to MK school,do be look down at guardians that been through this program?

You're asking if we look down on people who go through Depot? No. Why would we? But, when you get to MK school, respect your classmates who are coming in from the fleet.

As an MK are you provided w/ your own tools or do you have to buy/supply them? I'm use to the civilian life and you have to travel w/ your tools.

MK's are provided tools.

MK Shops and Engineering Spaces are fully equipped with all of the tools and parts necessary to complete almost any job.

If not, there is always duct tape, WD40 and hammer!

Don't forget the metal close hanger for support.

The MK Creed... If it's broken hit it with a hammer. If it's still broken, find a bigger hammer.

I thought you used a FN to beat it for you.

Can a MK become qualified as Coxswain or do you have to be a BM?

Posted By mcmaster68 on 29 Jul 2010 07:36 AM
Can a MK become qualified as Coxswain or do you have to be a BM?

My husband is an MK3 and is qualified as the Coxswain. Hubby's *correction* Senior Chief said he hasn't seen an MK as a Coxswain on any of the PB's he's been on. So its not impossible, just gotta pursue it and convince, and by convince I mean showing your ability, that you can do it.

Southern,

I prefer to keep my FN available for more important jobs. If I need an expendable tool, I find a BM.

MKs can become Coxn qualified. Cassie is correct, you would have to show the motivation to learn to handle the boat, and figure out how to distract the BMs long enough to get ample time on the throttles. I recommend hiding the coffee. That should keep 'em busy for at least one patrol.

Bm's don't like to let an MK anywhere near the controls, they get everything greasy. Stay belowdeck where they belong. It's also too time-consuming to try to teach them how to read a chart!

Oh, dear. Snipe discrimination...

Greetings Chuckles and any MK's out there. I have a few questions if u have the time to answer them. I am just curious on how long you had to wait to get into the mk a school? also, how difficult was the training? do you need to me a real math whiz? thank you.
                                                                                                ~future Guardian

I had to wait about a year, but that was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. The training isn't difficult if you pay attention. You don't have to be a math whiz, you just have to have a desire to learn. When you break it down being a good MK is an acquired skill.

Thank you for your insight!

No problem. If you have any other questions just ask.

I just graduated boot camp and I'm thinking about striking MK.

Is it possible to earn your engineering licenses while in the Coast Guard and eventually work your way up to the chief engineering license?

Which engineering licenses are you talking about?

Hey guys,
I spoke to my unit over the phone (where I report for the first time on Friday!), and they said that they have suspended their striking program. I wanted to strike MK rather than wait for A school. Do I have to wait for A school, then?

If there is no striking, then waiting is the only option. There isn't another way around that.

MK striking is back or will be soon. You being able to strike has to be approved by the Rating Force Master Chief (RFMC).

Hi I am new to the forum, Just have a question how hard is it to strike MK and do many do it successfully especially the final test.

Thanks for you reply.

My son is presently an MK and he loves it..he has served on a cutter and is now at a station. He has been sent to several schools and has learned alot from all of his training. His wait for A School was a year from when he got into the Coast Guards. The crew that he does boardings with let him drive the boat which he enjoys, being raised in the south and always on a boat fishing or hunting he's not afraid to drive it. BM"S break it, MK'S fix it...

My son just graduated MK school and is off to MSST 91109 in San Diego. Any advice for him and what he can expect at this unit. He came from Cutter Forward and though it was exciting (First responder to Haiti, digging through dead cow carcuses on vessels in hondoras, 80 million drug bust on a haitian boat and was on a deployment to Africa when he recieved his orders for A school) he is ready for life outside the cutter. I am already planning a trip out there in May. My husband is active duty Army and we have traveled alot, but never to the West Coast. Also, I understand he will get BAH because there is no housing on base for rates. Any suggestions or good advice on finding a place would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Kim

Army wife
Army Veteran
Coastie Mom
Monarch Mom (Methodist University)

Hi guys! My name is Robert and I'm going through the enlistment process for CG Reserve. I'm applying for the MK position here at my local CG station (Humboldt Bay). As I understand it, I will be assigned to a Surf Boat. Do surf boats have strong-swimmer rescuers, and if so can a part-time MK get strong-swimmer certified?
Thank you!
Robert

Hello,

I am interested in pursuing this rate. I was curious what kind of tasks I would be doing as an MK early in their career. Would I be repairing engines and what not, or would I be doing repair work on other things?

Also, what would I be doing as an MK on a cutter as opposed to a small boat station?

Any responses will be appreciated