Subscribe
The Hull Maintenance Technician (HT) rating was created by merging the Metalsmith, Pipefitter and Shipfitter ratings, according to the Navy’s official website. The combination of so many rating makes the duties and responsibilities of a HT very diverse.
“You need an open mind because you never know what jobs you’re going to get,” said HTC Bryan Abbot, leading chief petty officer of the repair division. “You can go from installing and maintaining plumbing systems to sheet metal and wood-working projects.”
Abbot said that important characteristics of HTs are good vision and memory, manual dexterity and resourcefulness. HTs are also trained to work with various hand tools, metal-forming equipment and cutting machines.
“As an HT, I get great hands-on experience which could qualify me for high-paying welding jobs outside of the Navy,” said HTFN Alexis Rivero. “Each day I learn new ways to create and design anything I want.”
Abbot and Rivero agree that the biggest reward of being an HT is the satisfaction of creating something from raw material.
“It may be a thankless job at times,” said Rivero, “but knowing that everything I am tasked with affects the integrity of the ship gives me pride in my work and makes me want to do my job the best that I can.”
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2018 06:13 |
| Story ID: | 264043 |
| Location: | U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Rating on the Radar (Hull Maintenance Technician), by PO2 Robyn Melvin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
