Job: Integrated Family of Test Equipment (IFTE) Operator/Maintainer (94Y)

JOIN THE U.S. ARMY!
To be a U.S. Army Soldier is to be a part of the strongest fighting force in the world. You'll spend your days training, working and serving together to protect America's freedoms. But you'll also have time after work for family, friends and personal interests. From recruitment to retirement, the U.S. Army provides a unique and diverse lifestyle for Soldiers.


Electronic instruments are used in all areas of the Army, including health care, weather forecasting, flight control and combat. Electronic instrument repairers fix and maintain electronics, such as measuring equipment, navigational controls, photographic equipment and biomedical instruments. The IFTE Operator/Maintainer is an important member of the Army electronic maintenance team and is primarily responsible for maintaining the Base Shop Test Facility (BSTF), performing sustainment level electronic maintenance on Shop Replaceable Units (SRU), system supported Line Replaceable Units (LRU), and Test program Sets (TPS). Some of your duties as an IFTE Operator/Maintainer may include:

* Perform electronic maintenance, adjustments and tests
* Operate and perform preventive maintenance checks and services on assigned vehicles and power generators
* Perform march order and emplacement of the base shop test facility
* Install supported weapon system test program sets
* Replace defective components and performing base shop test facility alignments
* Read technical diagrams and manuals in order to locate, isolate and repair instrument parts
* Replace equipment parts such as resistors, switches and circuit boards

Job training for an IFTE Operator/Maintainer requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 34 weeks of Advanced Individual Training and on-the-job instruction, including practice in repairing and replacing equipment parts. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in the field. Some of the skills you'll learn are:

* Principles of electronics
* Use and maintenance of electrical and electronic test equipment
* Equipment repair exercises

Helpful attributes include:

* Interest in mathematics and electronic equipment repair
* Interest in working with electronic equipment
* Attention to detail
* Interest in solving problems

Advanced level IFTE Operator/Maintainers provide guidance, supervise and train other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level IFTE Operator/Maintainer, you may be involved in:

* Install base shop test facility equipment modifications
* Prepare maintenance and supply forms and records
* Provide technical assistance for corrective maintenance procedures

The skills you'll learn as an IFTE Operator/Maintainer will help you pursue a civilian career at manufacturing companies, medical research facilities, satellite communications firms or commercial airline companies. The same skills may also prepare you for a future with the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or the National Weather Service. Through your extensive Army training and experience and some additional study, you may be able to qualify for Electronics Technician Association (ETA) certification.

* RADAR Repairer (94M)
* Test Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Maintenance Support Specialist (94H)
* Air Traffic Control Equipment Repairer (94D)

Learn more about the relationship between military training and civilian certification requirements.