Reflecting the Navy’s 2012 decision to concentrate Sailors with expertise in diesel engines in the Engineman (EN) rating, all three jobs in the rating revolve around diesel power. A Diesel Engine Systems Maintainer is tasked with the operation and maintenance of diesel-powered internal combustion engines, air compressors, and steering systems. The position is essentially an entry-level position involving hands-on work; of the 54 tasks for which the Maintainer is responsible, only five require a paygrade higher than E4.
With this work experience under their belts, EN Sailors can move up to the job of Diesel Engine Systems Technician and begin to repair and service the engines, components, and machinery associated with diesel power. Overseeing the Maintainers and Technicians are the Diesel Engine Systems Managers, who—as their title implies—handle overall management of engine operations and related programs.
Because of their focus on diesel power, there are a wide variety of diesel-related certifications EN Sailors can earn through training at Class “C” schools. Some of the engines on which EN Sailors can become certified include household names such as Cummins, Caterpillar, and General Motors, while others—Paxman Valenta, MTU, Isotta Franchini, Fairbanks Morse, Colt Pielstick—are relatively obscure because of their use in heavy industry or in transportation requiring massive power generation.
Fortunately for Enginemen seeking working after serving their country, a great deal of attention is being paid to biodiesel as an alternative to fossil fuels—and the good news is that many standard diesel engines can run on biodiesel with little or no modification. In short, the training acquired to work on traditional diesel engines is just as useful for engines running the newer, more eco-friendly biodiesel.
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