Quantcast
Jump to content


how to go from army wheeled vehicle mechanic to civilian auto mechanic?


Recommended Posts

I am Edmond, I am new to this site. Currently I am a 91b in the Army aspiring to open up my own auto repair shop in my hometown. A wealthy town outside of Boston where very few work on their own vehicles. There is only one other auto repair shop in my town. My idea is to have a small repair shop as the people in my town love to support small business. I will have very competitive prices, preform quality work, and provide customers with a free rental.

To become ASE certified I need 2 years experience. Does it matter to the ASE that my experiance is with diesel trucks and not with gas engines? How much additional schooling is necessary to become certified auto master mechanic (A1-A8)? thank you! Any advice would help as I am in the beginning stages of planning.

Edited by EdmondChar
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not sure but I think your military mechanical will work for your 2 years needed for ASE.

To pass the ASE tests you'll need to know a lot more than the basic stuff. You'll also have to learn to take the tests and be familiar with their method of asking the questions. Some of them (at leat 40%) are somewhat tricky.

 

There's a lot of places to get test help and study guides. I will tell you this though... every site that offers you example questions, test prep. and background knowledge have no clue what questions will be on the actual tests. Those questions are used and then are never used again. They are sometimes reworded but never exactly as they were in the previous tests.

 

Study, study, study... it's worth the effort. Gonzo

 

 

 

I am Edmond, I am new to this site. Currently I am a 91b in the Army aspiring to open up my own auto repair shop in my hometown. A wealthy town outside of Boston where very few work on their own vehicles. There is only one other auto repair shop in my town. My idea is to have a small repair shop as the people in my town love to support small business. I will have very competitive prices, preform quality work, and provide customers with a free rental.

To become ASE certified I need 2 years experience. Does it matter to the ASE that my experiance is with diesel trucks and not with gas engines? How much additional schooling is necessary to become certified auto master mechanic (A1-A8)? thank you! Any advice would help as I am in the beginning stages of planning.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the site, Edmond. In addition to being proficient in automotive, you will also need to be proficient in business. Even though you may opt to remain small, your business skills you help keep you alive. Many great techs, myself included, suffered financially because we built our businesses around our mechanical expertise. While I feel that it helped me early on, to sustain a business long term will require business skills. This site has a lot of great info from many, many shop owners around the country. In addition, find out what training companies in your area offer any business management courses.

 

Good luck, thank you for your service to our country and don't be a stranger on AutoShopOwner, We are all here to help and support you in you new venture!

Thanks! this site was exactly what I was looking for. Great information.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 9 months later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Available Subscriptions

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
  • Similar Topics

    • By Changing The Industry
      Episode 182 - Customer Escalations and Unusual Finds in Car Trunks With Auto Shop Follow Up
    • By Changing The Industry
      Bonus Episode - Transforming Your Shop's Workflow and Accountability With Software
    • By carmcapriotto
      Matt Fanslow explores the parallels between women's basketball and the automotive repair industry. Highlighting Caitlin Clark's exceptional impact on women's sports, Matt discusses how her achievements should be celebrated rather than downplayed. He critiques the tendency of some WNBA players to undermine Clark's success, likening it to the automotive industry's habit of disparaging competitors. Matt argues that fostering a supportive and collaborative environment, rather than one of criticism, can lead to growth and success in both fields.
      Show Notes
      Out of Nowhere - Pistol Pete Marravich - Matt Fanslow Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z [E010]: https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/episode/010 The Sport of Auto Repair with Chris Jones [E134]: https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/episode/134 Sports and Automotive Parallels (00:01:12) Caitlin Clark's Impact (00:01:36) Comparison of Basketball Eras (00:02:47) Surge in Women's Basketball Viewership (00:04:11) Caitlin Clark's Unique Playing Style (00:05:30) WNBA Attendance Records (00:06:44) WNBA's Financial Struggles (00:08:31) Marginalization of Caitlin Clark (00:10:10) Opportunities for Growth (00:11:34) Comparison to Automotive Industry Tactics (00:14:16) Downplaying Competitors (00:16:49). Harmful Practices in Sports and Automotive (00:18:11) Final Thoughts on Caitlin Clark and the WNBA (00:19:39) The importance of competition (00:20:59) Critique of disparagement (00:22:16) Learning from popularity (00:23:33) Long-term strategy concerns (00:24:59)  
      The Aftermarket Radio Network
       
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • By carmcapriotto
      Join host Kim Walker as she leads a heartwarming and insightful panel discussion with auto repair shop owners who are making a real difference in their communities. In this special episode, our panelists share how they're stepping up during the back-to-school season to support local students and teachers through creative initiatives—from donating school supplies to funding teacher wish lists and organizing community events.
      Listen as Tanika Haynes, Christina Grace Beverly, and Nakia and Nate Bailor discuss the challenges they’ve faced, the unexpected rewards of giving back, and how these efforts have strengthened their ties to the community. Whether you’re a shop owner looking for inspiration or simply curious about the power of local engagement, this episode is packed with practical tips and stories that will inspire you to take action.
      Hit play now to learn how even small gestures can create lasting impacts, both for your business and your community! 🚗🎒
      Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
      Back to School Marketing Discussion in the FB group  
      How To Get In Touch
       
      Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
      Website - shopmarketingpros.com 
      Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros 
      Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
      Instagram - @shopmarketingpros 
      Questions/Ideas - [email protected]
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • Brake & Suspension Clearance Event
    • By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.



  • Our Sponsors



×
×
  • Create New...