United States Coast Guard careers
MK
engineering
United States Coast Guard

Machinery Technician

Maintain propulsion and auxiliary systems aboard Coast Guard cutters.

Difficulty · moderateFitness · high AI compatibility 82
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Job Overview

MKs keep Coast Guard cutters and boats running.

Machinery Technicians operate and repair diesel and gas turbine engines, hydraulics, refrigeration, and auxiliary systems aboard cutters and small boats.

History & Deep Dive

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Daily Responsibilities

  • Engine watchstanding
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Casualty response
  • Boat crew duties
Work schedule
Watch rotations underway
Environment
Aboard cutters and small boat stations
Supports
Coast Guard afloat and shore operations

Training Pipeline

  1. 1
    Basic Training
    Cape May, NJ · 8 weeks
  2. 2
    MK A School
    Yorktown, VA · ~19 weeks

ASVAB & Qualification Requirements

ASVAB line-score minimums
  • AR+MK+EI+GS204
Security clearance
Secret
Physical requirements
Standard USCG fitness.
Required skills
Mechanical aptitudeProblem solvingTeamwork
AI Concept Gallery
AI-generated concept illustrations · not official photos
Portrait · AI illustration
Training · AI illustration
Workplace · AI illustration
Equipment · AI illustration
Operational · AI illustration

Video Library

Official recruiting video for Machinery Technician coming soon.

Career Progression

E-1→
E-4→
E-5→
E-6→
E-7

Engineering PO in Charge, Chief.

Assignments & Special Schools

Duty stations
  • Cape May, NJ
  • Yorktown, VA
  • Alameda, CA
  • Kodiak, AK
  • Miami, FL
Special schools
Boat EngineerSmall Boat Crewman

Deployment: Underway patrols; some deployments.

Advantages

  • Strong trade skills
  • Balanced work-life
  • Steady demand

Disadvantages

  • Underway rotations
  • Physical work

Civilian Career Equivalents

Marine Diesel Mechanic
HVAC Technician
Facility Engineer
Career Match Scores
Physical Demand80
Mental Demand75
Leadership70
Technical Level90
Travel70
Deployment Potential60
Civilian Transferability95
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Context: MK Machinery Technician
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