NATE certification is currently being offered to American military men and women around the world through the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program.

America remembers the devastation of Sept. 11, 2001. That new day of infamy modeled common men and women into uncommon heroes.

After the attacks, U.S. citizens began to exercise their newly found passion for patriotism. American flag sales increased exponentially, along with multiple financial and supply donations, while volunteers traveled from across the country to assist. Military enlistment numbers noticeably spiked in commitment to the ideas of freedom and democracy. North American Technician Excellence (NATE) has always understood these ideas and the importance of the military as a recruiting pool for the HVACR industry.

Military Essentials

There are many careers in the U.S. military. Though not as common as mechanics and engineers, HVAC careers are no exception. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the military provides training and work experience for more than 2.6 million individuals. With the current labor pool in need of a new inlet, some contractors are looking to diverse sources for competent employees. One of these sources, the U.S. Army, trains HVACR technicians at its school in Aberdeen, Md., and the U.S. Marine Corps shares that school. In fact, all branches of retiring military are excellent sources for trained technicians.

The military is a self-sufficient entity that trains its members to provide proper HVAC comfort and control for its personnel and vehicles. In addition to the benefits of heating and cooling with regard to personnel and transport, consider that without adequate heating or cooling many modern weapon systems do not function. Not only do HVACR technicians keep food fresh, but they also provide proper cooling that ensures computer systems don’t overheat so that defense and weapon guidance systems function properly.

“Having spent probably a third of the past 30-odd years at sea, I can tell you the need for HVAC products in that environment is just as serious as on land,” said Ret. Rear Admiral William Sutton, president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI). “In some ways, the air conditioning and air quality products offered are more valuable in the close quarters of a ship or submarine than they are for most land-based applications.”

Reporting for Duty

All branches of the service have a variety of HVACR technician jobs available — and most of these jobs translate into civilian occupations when the military technicians leave the service for civilian life.

The U.S. Air Force offers mechanical careers to its enlisted men and women, including Air Force Specialty Code HVAC Apprentice. An Air Force HVAC apprentice is responsible for maintaining heating and air conditioning systems year round. They install, maintain, repair, and modify refrigeration, heating plants, systems, and equipment. On-the-job experience can include space heaters, furnaces, boilers, heat exchangers, burners, blowers, fans, radiant heaters, and evaporative cooling.

The U.S. Navy’s enlisted jobs are called Ratings. The Utilitiesmen (UT) rating is for those involved in plumbing, heating, steam, compressed air, water treatment and distribution systems, and air conditioning and refrigeration equipment, among other things. Duties include installing, maintaining, and repairing systems.

Although not directly involved in HVAC during his four-year tour of duty, Thomas “Tommy” Castellano, a NATE certified technician, is currently running his own company, Castellano Air.

“The military helped me in the way of responsibility,” said Castellano, former Navy member. “It taught me accountability and gave me the opportunity to become a leader of men.”

The U.S. Army and the Marine Corps positions are called Military Occupation Specialties (MOS). A Marine Basic Utilities recruit, MOS 1100, installs, maintains, and operates water supply, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, and multiple other utility systems. It is possible to earn a Utilities Chief assignment after advanced formal schooling.

The U.S. Army calls its HVAC technician a Utilities Equipment Repairer (52C). According to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jose Marrero, the 12 weeks of advanced individual training (AIT) includes hands-on experience, as well as a foundation of basic knowledge, including knowing all the parameters of section 608 and 609 of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Air Act. In addition, the U.S. Army encourages NATE certification for its HVACR technicians by making certification a promotion point.

Skip Snyder, past national chairman of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), and a member of the ACCA-Florida board of directors, is a former Army captain and owner of his own HVACR company in Philadelphia.

“The single greatest benefit I received from my military experience was leadership training,” noted Snyder. “Understanding the dynamics of motivating people and what it takes to accomplish a mission was the greatest thing I learned during my years of service.”

Certified Recruiting Made Easier

Armed services recruiters visit local high schools hoping to inspire qualified new recruits. They don’t wait for the fresh candidate pool to refill on its own; recruiters seek out new candidate sources to refill the pool quickly and efficiently. HVAC contractors should be doing the same. NATE certification is currently being offered to American military men and women around the world through the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s) Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program. DANTES’ mission is to support the off-duty, voluntary education programs of the DOD and to conduct special projects and development activities in support of education-related functions of the DOD.

Military installations with DANTES test centers are currently authorized by NATE to administer the NATE series of residential and light commercial tests for the HVACR industry. To make things even easier, the Montgomery G.I. Bill provides funding to cover the cost of the tests for servicemen and women, whether taken at a DANTES testing center, or not. The Montgomery G.I. Bill makes provision for servicemen and women to resume their education or technical training after discharge. Qualified candidates are also able to receive a monthly living allowance while pursuing their studies.

The military turns out already trained and certified technicians who are not only competent, but are also well-disciplined leaders looking to be successful. Even if the serviceperson was in the armed forces for something other than HVAC, they have proven to be fast learners and should make competent HVAC technicians. This is evidenced by Castellano and Snyder. The military technician benefits from free classroom and hands-on training and certification. What more could either the contractor or the technician ask for?

Call the Fire Department

So, what’s the difference between recruiting from the military as compared to recruiting from other sources? Well, ask the man who filled his Olympic size swimming pool with a garden hose, and then ask the man who called the fire department.

For more information, visit www.natex.org.