JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Worldwide held a graduation luncheon for 19 Marine students who graduated from the Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) program, at the Landing on Marine Corps Air Station New River, March 13, 2020.
The formal Aviation Maintenance Technology Recognition Ceremony was unexpectedly cancelled on short notice due to the quickly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. In order to protect the health of the students, staff, faculty, industry partners and guests, Embry-Riddle adhered to guidance recommending that large scale events be immediately postponed.
“The program is great, even for someone coming from a non-aviation military occupational specialty (MOS). It helps with job opportunities and the familiarization knowledge that you might lack coming from a non- aviation MOS,” said Staff Sgt. Eric Giarratano, an airframes staff noncommissioned officer in charge with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264. “There were a few things that I hadn’t really covered in the Marine Corps. This is going to help me a lot now that I have transitioned and in my job at Boeing.”
The university’s main campuses are located in Daytona Beach, Florida and Prescott, Arizona, however ERAU opened a campus on MCAS New River in 2019. Through this program, service members can gain industry-recognized certifications that will provide them a smooth transition into a civilian career.
The AMT program is a rigorous nine-week, full-time program designed to train and place transitioning service members, veterans and eligible military spouses into aviation maintenance and technician careers after they transition.
“This graduating class is the second class that we’ve had since opening the program,” said Amber Evans, the campus director. “In this class, we had 18 male students and one female student. This class is interesting because only about 50 percent of the students had an aviation MOS. Usually the percentage of non-aviation MOS’s is much lower.”
While the applicants are not required to have an aviation maintenance background, a mechanical aptitude is required. The class holds 30 students and is held three times a year in January, May and September.
“The program allows people to realize how important it is to not miss steps, and how important it is to pay attention to details,” Giarratano said. “Learning from your mistakes and mistakes that others have made in the past allows for us to have a safer future in aviation.”
Students of the program can elect to use their GI Bill to pay for the school. If students elect to use their GI Bill, it takes about 3 months of the 36 of free tuition a service member is granted upon transition.
The university is currently accepting applications for the nine-week program, and one can register by visiting the Embry-Riddle Camp Lejeune campus office located at the MCAS New River Education Center, Bldg. A2-212 room 213.