normally will be responsible for assigning tasks for you to do. Each task boils down to this: your having
to do some kind of maintenance work on a specified item of equipment. The paperwork that specifies the
task is commonly called a work order or a job order. The repairman really has the most critical, most
important, most direct role in carrying out every job order or work order. His skills in troubleshooting
and in making necessary repairs, adjustments, modifications, and so forth, are what we count on to keep
equipment operational.
b. Maintenance is a team effort that goes beyond the equipment repairman. In fact, the repairman
needs a lot of assistance and support to be able to do his work effectively. For instance, he needs tools,
test equipment, parts, and other supplies; he should have, if possible, a reasonably comfortable place in
which to work, such as a building that affords shelter, heat, light, and electrical power. Lack of necessary
tools and test equipment can keep even the best of repairmen from getting the required work done. It is
pretty difficult to work on equipment if fingers are freezing and you are trying to work in darkness. The
Army supply system and its people have to provide the repairman with the tools, test equipment, and parts
he needs. A good commander assures that adequate shop facilities are provided so long as circumstances
allow. He gives attention to the people and things that are essential to effective maintenance.
c. Let's now itemize and briefly discuss the essentials for effective maintenance.
(1) Tools and test equipment. The tools you need will be issued to you by the supply element of your
unit or shop. Usually a whole kit or set of tools will be issued, complete with tool box,
appropriate to your MOS. Usually you will keep the tool set as long as you are assigned to a
given unit or shop. As you need additional tools and test instruments, you may borrow them from
your unit or shop supply element.
(2) Repair parts and other maintenance supplies. The supply clerk or parts specialist in your unit or
shop supply element will issue these items to you as you need them in connection with carrying
out the various work orders or other properly authorized maintenance work.
(3) Publications. Technical manuals, lubrication orders, modification work orders, technical
bulletins, and other publications you need must be available to you. Most units and shops have
an individual responsible for keeping the library up to date and for assuring that the publications
you need are available to you and the other maintenance personnel in the organization.
(4) Personnel. It takes people to make an Army function and carry out its mission. And the same
thing holds true for a maintenance unit or a maintenance shop. It takes manpower to prepare
publications, to buy and supply tools and parts, and, of course, to care for the Army's equipment.
As a repairman, you'll have to get along not only with your immediate supervisor, but also with
equipment users who are the shop's "customers," with the supply people who are in your
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