Army 91X (Maintenance Supervisor) to Civilian: Complete Career Transition Guide (2025 Salary Data)

Bottom Line Up Front

Army 91X Maintenance Supervisors—you didn't just supervise mechanics. You planned, coordinated, and directed field and sustainment maintenance operations for battalions and brigades managing fleets of wheeled vehicles, tracked combat systems, weapons platforms, construction equipment, and power generation assets worth $50M-$200M+. You supervised 15-40 technicians, managed maintenance control systems (GCSS-Army, SAMS-E), ensured deadline management, coordinated field maintenance operations during exercises and deployments, maintained 85-95%+ readiness rates, tracked Class IX parts, managed work orders, conducted quality control, and trained subordinate leaders. Your maintenance management expertise, leadership under pressure, logistics coordination, data-driven decision-making, quality control, resource management, and proven ability to maintain complex equipment fleets make you exactly what civilian industries desperately need for fleet maintenance manager, service manager, operations manager, and maintenance supervisor roles. Realistic first-year salaries range from $70,000-$90,000 for maintenance supervisor or fleet manager positions, scaling to $90,000-$120,000 with certifications (PMP, Lean Six Sigma) and proven leadership. Senior managers, directors of maintenance, and operations managers can earn $115,000-$165,000+. You managed multi-million-dollar operations—civilian employers need that leadership.

Your 91X experience translates into six high-demand career paths: fleet maintenance manager (transportation, logistics, construction), service manager (equipment dealerships, rental companies), operations manager (manufacturing, distribution, facilities), maintenance manager (industrial plants, utilities, mining), military vehicle maintenance manager (defense contractors), and facilities maintenance supervisor (commercial, healthcare, education, government). All fields value your leadership, maintenance management systems knowledge, and proven ability to deliver results.

The timeline is realistic: Immediate hire possible with your 91X leadership experience at $70K-$90K for supervisor/manager roles; 6-12 months to earn PMP or Lean Six Sigma certification and reach $85K-$105K for senior manager positions; 2-4 years to advance to operations manager, director of maintenance, or senior leadership roles earning $105K-$145K+. Transportation companies, equipment dealers, defense contractors, manufacturing plants, and facilities management firms are actively hiring veterans with supervisor experience NOW—your leadership is in demand.

What Does an Army 91X Do?

As a Maintenance Supervisor (typically E-7 Sergeant First Class or E-8 Master Sergeant), you served as the senior maintenance NCO in battalion, brigade, or higher-level maintenance organizations. You weren't turning wrenches—you were managing maintenance operations, supervising technical leaders, and ensuring organizational readiness. Your responsibilities included:

Maintenance operations management: Planned and coordinated field and sustainment maintenance for 50-300+ vehicles and equipment systems; managed maintenance schedules, tracked deadlines, allocated technicians to work orders, prioritized mission-critical repairs, and ensured throughput to meet operational requirements.

Resource and logistics coordination: Managed Class IX repair parts ordering and supply, coordinated maintenance contact teams, liaised with higher maintenance echelons (DS, GS), tracked equipment status using GCSS-Army and SAMS-E, and managed tool and equipment accountability.

Supervisor and team leadership: Supervised 15-40+ maintenance personnel including section chiefs, technicians, and junior leaders; assigned tasks, conducted quality control inspections, mentored subordinate leaders, conducted performance evaluations, and ensured technical proficiency.

Maintenance data management: Utilized GCSS-Army, SAMS-E, and other maintenance management systems to track work orders, equipment readiness, parts status, maintenance history, and generate reports for commanders and higher headquarters.

Quality control and standards: Conducted technical inspections, verified repair quality, ensured compliance with TMs and safety standards, identified training deficiencies, and implemented corrective actions.

Field maintenance operations: Coordinated and supervised field maintenance during exercises, deployments, and combat operations—managing mobile maintenance teams, prioritizing battle damage repairs, coordinating recovery operations, and ensuring mission support.

You weren't just managing—you were the maintenance expert advising commanders on equipment readiness, developing solutions to complex maintenance challenges, managing competing priorities under pressure, and delivering results with limited resources. That's executive-level operations management.

Skills You've Developed

Technical Skills (Directly Transferable)

Maintenance management systems expertise: You used GCSS-Army, SAMS-E, and other computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to track work orders, equipment status, parts inventory, and readiness metrics—identical to civilian fleet management software (FleetWave, Fleetio, Maximo, SAP PM) used across industries.

Fleet operations management: You managed diverse equipment fleets (wheeled, tracked, weapons, construction, power generation), tracked maintenance schedules, ensured compliance with service intervals, managed deadlines—core fleet management skills translating to transportation, construction, and equipment rental industries.

Work order and scheduling management: You prioritized work orders, allocated technicians based on skill and availability, managed workflow to maximize throughput, balanced emergency repairs with scheduled maintenance—exactly what service managers and operations managers do daily.

Parts and inventory management: You managed Class IX repair parts, tracked supply status, expedited critical parts, coordinated with supply personnel—skills directly applicable to fleet maintenance, dealership parts management, and operations roles.

Quality control and technical inspections: You conducted pre/post-repair inspections, verified work quality, ensured technical compliance, identified deficiencies—preparation for quality manager, maintenance manager, and operations leadership roles requiring process control.

Data analysis and reporting: You generated readiness reports, analyzed maintenance trends, identified recurring failures, provided recommendations to leadership—critical for data-driven decision-making in all industries.

Regulatory compliance: You ensured compliance with Army maintenance standards, safety regulations, technical publications—translates to DOT compliance (transportation), OSHA (industrial), EPA (environmental) in civilian sectors.

Soft Skills (Equally Valuable)

Leadership and team management: You supervised 15-40+ personnel, assigned tasks, held subordinates accountable, developed leaders, conducted performance evaluations—core leadership skills civilian employers desperately need for manager roles.

Problem-solving under pressure: When equipment deadlines threatened mission readiness or field operations required rapid response, you developed solutions, reallocated resources, and delivered results—crisis management and operational agility that senior managers need.

Cross-functional coordination: You coordinated with commanders, supply, transportation, and higher maintenance echelons to ensure support—exactly the stakeholder management required in civilian operations and logistics roles.

Strategic planning: You planned maintenance operations for exercises and deployments weeks/months in advance, anticipated requirements, pre-positioned resources—preparation for operations manager and director-level planning roles.

Training and development: You identified training needs, mentored subordinate leaders, conducted technical training, developed talent—critical for management roles requiring team development.

Results-driven mindset: You were accountable for equipment readiness rates (85-95%+ mission capable) directly impacting unit operations—civilian managers need that accountability and focus on outcomes.

Top Civilian Career Paths for 91X Veterans

Fleet Maintenance Manager (Most Direct Path)

Civilian job titles:

• Fleet Maintenance Manager
• Fleet Operations Manager
• Transportation Maintenance Manager
• Fleet Services Manager
• Director of Fleet Maintenance

Salary ranges (2024-2025 data):

• Fleet Maintenance Supervisor (entry-level management): $70,000-$85,000
• Fleet Maintenance Manager (3-7 years): $80,000-$105,000
• Senior Fleet Manager (7-12 years): $95,000-$125,000
• Director of Fleet Maintenance (12+ years): $110,000-$150,000+
• VP of Fleet Operations (executive): $130,000-$180,000+

What translates directly: You already managed equipment fleets, tracked maintenance schedules, supervised technicians, managed parts inventory, ensured regulatory compliance—that's fleet management. Civilian transportation, construction, utility, and logistics companies operate the same way with similar management systems.

Certifications valuable:

• CAFM (Certified Automotive Fleet Manager): NAFA certification, $595 exam + $995 study materials. Industry-recognized fleet management credential.
• PMP (Project Management Professional): PMI certification, $425-$675. Valuable for large fleet operations and capital projects.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: $1,500-$3,000. Process improvement credential valued in operations roles.
• ASE certifications: Demonstrate technical competency (valuable even in management roles).

Companies and industries hiring:

• Transportation/logistics: UPS, FedEx, XPO, Old Dominion, Estes, ABF, Schneider, J.B. Hunt, Knight-Swift
• Truck rental/leasing: Penske (1,200+ fleet maintenance positions nationwide), Ryder System, Enterprise Fleet Management
• Construction companies: Bechtel, Kiewit, Fluor, Turner, Skanska (heavy equipment fleets)
• Equipment rental: United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals (3,000+ locations, need fleet managers)
• Utilities: Power companies, water/gas utilities (service vehicle fleets)
• Waste management: Republic Services, Waste Management Inc., Waste Connections (refuse truck fleets)
• Government fleets: State DOTs, county/city fleets, federal agencies (USPS, GSA)
• Retail distribution: Walmart, Target, Costco, Amazon (distribution center fleet management)
• Food/beverage distribution: Sysco, McLane, US Foods (refrigerated fleet operations)

Reality check: Fleet management combines technical knowledge, leadership, budget accountability, and regulatory compliance. You'll manage technicians, track costs per mile, ensure DOT compliance, coordinate with operations, and report to senior leadership. Hours are typically regular (some on-call), work is indoors (office and shop), and career advancement to director-level roles is realistic. Salaries increase significantly with fleet size and complexity.

Best for: 91Xs who want direct translation of military maintenance management experience, prefer transportation/logistics industries, and want clear career advancement to senior leadership.

Service Manager (Equipment Dealers and Rental Companies)

Civilian job titles:

• Service Manager
• Service Department Manager
• Parts and Service Manager
• Dealer Service Manager
• Fixed Operations Manager

Salary ranges (2024-2025 data):

• Service Manager (small dealership/branch): $75,000-$95,000
• Service Manager (large dealership): $90,000-$120,000
• Regional Service Manager: $105,000-$140,000
• Director of Service Operations: $120,000-$165,000+

What translates directly: Service managers at equipment dealers (Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu) and rental companies (United Rentals, Sunbelt) manage service departments—supervising technicians, scheduling work, managing parts inventory, ensuring customer satisfaction, tracking shop productivity. Your maintenance management experience translates directly.

Certifications valuable:

• Manufacturer management training: Caterpillar, John Deere dealer management programs (often employer-provided).
• PMP: Project management for large service operations.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: Process improvement for service operations.
• ASE Master Technician: Demonstrates technical credibility.

Companies hiring:

• Heavy equipment dealers: Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu, Case, Volvo dealers nationwide (200+ dealership organizations)
• Agricultural equipment dealers: John Deere, AGCO, Case IH, New Holland, Kubota
• Truck dealerships: Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Volvo, Mack
• Equipment rental companies: United Rentals, Sunbelt Rentals, Herc Rentals (need service managers at branches)
• Automotive dealerships: All brands (less equipment-focused but value leadership experience)
• Power generation: Caterpillar Electric Power, Cummins, Kohler (generator service operations)

Reality check: Service managers balance technical operations, customer service, and business metrics (revenue, shop efficiency, customer satisfaction). You'll manage 8-25 technicians, coordinate with sales/parts departments, handle customer complaints, track KPIs, and report to dealership/branch management. Compensation often includes bonuses based on department performance (10-30% of base salary). Hours can be long (50-60 hours/week) at busy operations. Advancement to general manager, regional manager, or director roles is common.

Best for: 91Xs who want business-focused leadership roles, enjoy customer interaction, are comfortable with P&L responsibility, and want performance-based compensation.

Operations Manager (Manufacturing, Distribution, Facilities)

Civilian job titles:

• Operations Manager
• Plant Operations Manager
• Distribution Center Operations Manager
• Facilities Operations Manager
• Production Manager

Salary ranges (2024-2025 data):

• Operations Supervisor (entry-level management): $70,000-$88,000
• Operations Manager (3-7 years): $85,000-$110,000
• Senior Operations Manager (7-12 years): $100,000-$135,000
• Director of Operations (12+ years): $120,000-$165,000+
• VP of Operations (executive): $140,000-$200,000+

What translates directly: Operations managers oversee production, distribution, or facility operations—managing teams, ensuring process efficiency, tracking KPIs, coordinating with other departments, solving operational challenges. Your maintenance management experience (managing teams, tracking metrics, coordinating resources, delivering results) translates directly to operations management.

Certifications valuable:

• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt: Process improvement methodology, $1,500-$5,000. Highly valued in manufacturing/distribution.
• PMP: Project management, $425-$675. For operational initiatives and capital projects.
• CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management): APICS certification, $1,195. For manufacturing/supply chain operations.
• MBA (optional): Accelerates advancement to director/VP roles. Use GI Bill ($0 cost).

Industries and companies:

• Manufacturing: Automotive, food/beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, aerospace, consumer goods
• Distribution and logistics: Amazon, UPS, FedEx fulfillment/distribution centers
• Facilities management: Commercial real estate, healthcare systems, universities, government
• Construction and engineering: Project operations, site management
• Mining and energy: Production operations, site management

Reality check: Operations management is demanding—long hours, managing 50-200+ employees, accountability for production/distribution metrics, problem-solving under pressure. But pay is strong, career advancement to senior leadership is realistic, and operations experience opens executive paths. You'll need to learn industry-specific processes, but your leadership and management skills transfer directly.

Best for: 91Xs who want broader leadership roles beyond maintenance, enjoy fast-paced environments, are comfortable managing large teams, and target senior management/executive career tracks.

Maintenance Manager (Industrial, Utilities, Mining)

Civilian job titles:

• Maintenance Manager
• Maintenance and Reliability Manager
• Plant Maintenance Manager
• Facilities Maintenance Manager
• Director of Maintenance

Salary ranges (2024-2025 data):

• Maintenance Supervisor (entry-level): $70,000-$88,000
• Maintenance Manager (3-7 years): $85,000-$115,000
• Senior Maintenance Manager (7-12 years): $105,000-$140,000
• Director of Maintenance (12+ years): $125,000-$170,000+

What translates directly: Industrial maintenance managers supervise maintenance departments in manufacturing plants, utilities, mining operations—managing technicians, coordinating with operations/production, ensuring equipment reliability, managing budgets, implementing preventive maintenance programs. Your Army maintenance management experience translates perfectly.

Certifications valuable:

• CMRP (Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional): SMRP certification, $595 exam. Senior-level reliability credential.
• Lean Six Sigma Green Belt: Process improvement for maintenance operations.
• PMP: For large maintenance projects and shutdowns.
• CMMS expertise: Maximo, SAP PM training (similar to GCSS-Army).

Industries and companies:

• Manufacturing: Automotive, food/beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, paper/pulp, metals
• Utilities: Power generation, water/wastewater treatment
• Mining: Coal, metals, minerals (maintenance managers often earn $120K-$160K+)
• Oil and gas: Refineries, pipelines, offshore platforms
• Transportation: Railroads, ports, airports (infrastructure maintenance)

Reality check: Maintenance managers balance reliability (keeping equipment running), costs (budget control), and safety (OSHA compliance). You'll manage 10-50 technicians, coordinate shutdowns/turnarounds, implement predictive maintenance programs, track metrics (MTBF, MTTR, OEE), and report to plant/operations leadership. Shift coverage often required (on-call, rotating schedules). Pay is strong, especially in utilities and mining. Advancement to director of maintenance or operations manager realistic.

Best for: 91Xs who want technical leadership roles, prefer industrial/utilities environments, are comfortable with 24/7 operations (on-call), and want strong earning potential.

Military Vehicle Maintenance Manager (Defense Contractors)

Civilian job titles:

• Maintenance Operations Manager
• Vehicle Fleet Manager (military vehicles)
• Maintenance Program Manager
• Field Service Operations Manager
• Depot Maintenance Manager

Salary ranges (2024-2025 data):

• Maintenance Program Manager: $90,000-$120,000
• Operations Manager (defense contractor): $105,000-$140,000
• Senior Program Manager: $125,000-$165,000+
• Director of Maintenance Operations: $145,000-$195,000+

What translates directly: Everything. Defense contractors supporting Army installations, depots, and deployed units need maintenance managers who understand military vehicles, Army maintenance systems, technical publications, and military logistics. Your 91X experience managing Army maintenance operations IS the qualification.

Certifications valuable:

• Active Secret or Top Secret clearance (maintain if you have it—worth $15K-$30K+ in salary premium for management roles).
• PMP: Program management for defense contracts.
• Lean Six Sigma: Process improvement for maintenance operations.
• MBA (optional): Accelerates advancement to senior leadership.

Companies actively hiring:

• BAE Systems: Bradley, combat vehicle support
• General Dynamics Land Systems: Abrams, Stryker, tracked vehicle support
• Oshkosh Defense: Tactical vehicles, JLTV, MRAP
• Lockheed Martin: Fire control, systems integration
• LOGCAP/AFCAP contractors: KBR, Fluor, Vectrus, Amentum (base operations CONUS/OCONUS)
• Depot-level maintenance: Anniston Army Depot, Red River, Letterkenny (contractors supporting depot operations)
• Training support contractors: Fort Benning, Fort Hood, Fort Lewis, NTC, JRTC

Reality check: Defense contractor management roles offer excellent pay, directly use your Army maintenance management experience, and provide opportunities for CONUS/OCONUS work. Security clearance often required. Work can be demanding (supporting training cycles, deployments, major exercises). Contract-based employment means job security tied to defense budgets and contract renewals. But compensation is strong, and your military maintenance management experience is highly valued.

Best for: 91Xs who want to continue supporting military maintenance operations, maximize earnings using specialized experience, maintain security clearance, and are comfortable with defense contractor employment.

Facilities Maintenance Supervisor/Manager

Civilian job titles:

• Facilities Maintenance Supervisor
• Facilities Maintenance Manager
• Building Operations Manager
• Campus Facilities Manager
• Director of Facilities

Salary ranges (2024-2025 data):

• Facilities Maintenance Supervisor: $65,000-$82,000
• Facilities Maintenance Manager: $78,000-$105,000
• Senior Facilities Manager: $95,000-$130,000
• Director of Facilities: $115,000-$160,000+

What translates directly: Facilities managers supervise building maintenance operations (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, grounds, life safety systems)—managing technicians, coordinating contractors, tracking work orders, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing budgets. Your maintenance management, team leadership, and coordination skills transfer directly.

Certifications valuable:

• CFM (Certified Facility Manager): IFMA certification, $495-$595 exam. Industry-recognized credential.
• FMP (Facilities Management Professional): IFMA intermediate credential, $395-$495.
• PMP: For facilities capital projects.
• LEED or building systems certifications: For specialized facilities.

Companies and organizations:

• Corporate facilities management: CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, ISS, ABM, Sodexo (managing facilities for corporate clients)
• Healthcare systems: Major hospital networks (facilities departments)
• Higher education: Universities and colleges (campus facilities operations)
• Government: Federal buildings (GSA contracts), state facilities, military installations
• Commercial real estate: Property management companies, office parks, data centers
• Hospitality: Major hotel chains, resorts, casinos (facilities operations)

Reality check: Facilities management offers regular schedules (mostly day shifts with some on-call), stable employment, opportunities to work in corporate/healthcare/education settings. Pay varies by facility type (data centers and hospitals pay more than basic office buildings). Work is less physically demanding than equipment/fleet maintenance but requires broad generalist knowledge (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety). Advancement to director or regional manager realistic.

Best for: 91Xs who want regular hours, prefer working in professional environments (offices, hospitals, campuses), enjoy variety, and want stable employment with advancement opportunities.

Required Certifications & Training

High Priority (Get These for Maximum Impact)

PMP (Project Management Professional) – PMI certification demonstrating project management expertise. Cost: $425 (PMI members) or $675 (non-members) + $300-$500 study materials. Requirements: 3 years project management experience (you qualify with 91X experience), 35 hours training, pass 180-question exam. Time: Study 2-4 months. Value: Industry-recognized management credential valued across all industries. ROI: Increases salary $10K-$20K+, opens program manager and senior leadership roles paying $100K-$150K+.

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt – Process improvement methodology for manufacturing, operations, and service industries. Cost: $1,500-$3,000 for training + certification. Time: 2-4 weeks online or 1 week in-person intensive. Value: Demonstrates data-driven problem-solving and process optimization—highly valued in operations management, manufacturing, and fleet management. ROI: Increases competitiveness for operations manager roles; opens $85K-$135K positions.

CAFM (Certified Automotive Fleet Manager) – NAFA fleet management certification. Cost: $595 exam + $995 study materials. Requirements: 3 years fleet management experience (you qualify). Time: Study 2-3 months. Value: Industry-standard credential for fleet management roles. ROI: Differentiates you for fleet manager positions paying $85K-$125K+.

Medium Priority (Career-Specific, High Value)

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt – Advanced process improvement credential. Cost: $3,000-$6,000. Time: 3-6 months. Value: Senior-level credential for operations managers, process improvement leaders. ROI: Opens director and senior manager roles paying $115K-$165K+.

CMRP (Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional) – SMRP senior-level maintenance management certification. Cost: $595 exam + study materials. Requirements: 5 years maintenance experience in supervisory role (you qualify). Value: Senior credential for industrial maintenance managers. ROI: Strengthens candidacy for maintenance manager roles paying $95K-$140K+.

CFM (Certified Facility Manager) – IFMA facilities management certification. Cost: $495-$595 exam + study materials. Requirements: 3-5 years experience. Value: Industry credential for facilities management. ROI: Opens facilities manager roles paying $85K-$130K+.

MBA (Master of Business Administration) – Graduate business degree. Cost: $0-$25K with GI Bill (covers public university tuition). Time: 18-24 months part-time online. Value: Accelerates advancement to director, VP, and executive roles; opens doors to broader business leadership. ROI: MBA-holders earn $15K-$30K+ more on average; faster advancement to senior leadership.

Lower Priority (Situation-Dependent)

CMMS Training (Maximo, SAP PM, FleetWave, Fleetio) – Software training for maintenance management systems. Cost: $500-$2,000 per system. Value: Many employers use specific CMMS platforms; training demonstrates proficiency. ROI: Valuable for specific roles but often employer-provided.

ASE Certifications (for credibility) – Even in management roles, ASE certifications demonstrate technical competency. Cost: $112 per test. Value: Strengthens credibility with technicians and in technical management roles. ROI: Valuable for service manager and maintenance manager positions.

DOT Compliance Certifications – For fleet management roles requiring DOT regulatory knowledge. Cost: $500-$1,500. Value: Critical for transportation fleet managers. ROI: Opens fleet manager roles in trucking/logistics.

Companies Actively Hiring 91X Veterans (85+ Employers)

Transportation and Logistics (Fleet Management)

1. UPS (fleet maintenance management nationwide)
2. FedEx (fleet operations management)
3. Penske Truck Leasing (1,200+ fleet positions)
4. Ryder System Inc.
5. XPO Logistics
6. Old Dominion Freight Line
7. Estes Express Lines
8. ABF Freight
9. Schneider National
10. J.B. Hunt Transport
11. Knight-Swift Transportation
12. Werner Enterprises
13. Prime Inc.
14. CRST International
15. Enterprise Fleet Management

Equipment Dealers (Service Management)

16-30. Caterpillar dealers nationwide (service manager positions) 31-40. John Deere Construction dealers 41-45. Komatsu distributors 46-50. Case and Volvo dealers 51-55. Truck dealerships (Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Volvo, Mack)

Equipment Rental (Operations/Service Management)

56. United Rentals (1,500+ locations)
57. Sunbelt Rentals (1,300+ locations)
58. Herc Rentals (400+ locations)
59. H&E Equipment Services
60. Ahern Rentals

Waste Management and Municipal

61. Republic Services
62. Waste Management Inc.
63. Waste Connections
64. State DOTs (all 50 states—fleet managers)
65. County/city fleet management departments

Defense Contractors

66. BAE Systems
67. General Dynamics Land Systems
68. Oshkosh Defense
69. Lockheed Martin
70. KBR (LOGCAP)
71. Fluor (LOGCAP)
72. Vectrus
73. Amentum
74. AECOM

Manufacturing and Industrial

75. General Motors
76. Ford Motor Company
77. Stellantis
78. Boeing
79. Lockheed Martin
80. Coca-Cola Bottling
81. PepsiCo
82. Anheuser-Busch
83. U.S. Steel
84. Nucor

Facilities Management

85. CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, ISS Facility Services, ABM Industries

Check company career pages, LinkedIn, and USAJOBS.gov (GS-12 to GS-14 supervisor positions).

Resume Translation for 91X Veterans

Military Skill → Civilian Translation:

"Served as 91X Maintenance Supervisor" → "Maintenance Operations Manager supervising 25-person maintenance department; planned and coordinated field and sustainment maintenance for 150+ vehicle and equipment fleet valued at $75M+; ensured 92% mission-capable readiness rate"

"Managed GCSS-Army and SAMS-E systems" → "Utilized computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to track work orders, equipment status, parts inventory, and maintenance history; generated operational reports and KPIs for senior leadership"

"Supervised maintenance operations" → "Directed daily maintenance operations including work order prioritization, technician assignment, quality control inspections, and resource allocation; managed 20-30 concurrent repair actions ensuring throughput and deadline management"

"Coordinated parts and supply operations" → "Managed repair parts inventory and procurement; tracked critical supply items, expedited emergency parts orders, coordinated with supply chain personnel to minimize equipment downtime"

"Conducted quality control inspections" → "Performed technical inspections and quality assurance reviews of maintenance actions; ensured compliance with technical standards and safety regulations; identified and corrected deficiencies"

"Managed field maintenance operations" → "Planned and supervised mobile maintenance operations during field exercises and deployments; coordinated recovery operations, prioritized battle damage repairs, ensured mission support in austere environments"

"Trained and developed subordinate leaders" → "Mentored and developed 5 junior leaders; conducted performance evaluations, identified training needs, provided technical guidance; promoted leadership development resulting in 3 subordinates advancing to supervisor roles"

"Tracked equipment readiness metrics" → "Analyzed maintenance data to identify trends, recurring failures, and operational impacts; provided data-driven recommendations to leadership; maintained 90%+ equipment availability rate"

"Coordinated with multiple stakeholders" → "Liaised with operations, supply, transportation, and higher maintenance echelons to coordinate support; ensured cross-functional alignment and mission success"

"Managed maintenance budget and resources" → "Managed $500K+ annual maintenance budget including labor, parts, and contracted services; tracked expenditures, identified cost-saving opportunities, ensured fiscal responsibility"

Transition Timeline, Success Stories, Action Plan

Months 1-3: Get DD-214, create resume (use management focus, not technician focus), set up LinkedIn emphasizing leadership, research PMP/Lean Six Sigma training, apply to 20-30 supervisor/manager positions, network with veteran organizations.

Months 4-6: Study for PMP or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, interview for fleet manager/service manager/operations supervisor roles, accept offer ($70K-$90K), begin civilian management career.

Months 7-12: Prove leadership value, complete PMP or Lean Six Sigma certification, learn civilian systems and processes, build relationships, target $85K-$110K by year 2-3.

Success Story - James, 34, former 91X (E-8 MSG) → Penske Fleet Manager → $105K: Served 16 years. Applied to Penske emphasizing maintenance management and leadership. Hired as fleet manager at $82K. Earned PMP certification (company-paid). After 3 years, senior fleet manager at $105K managing 120-vehicle fleet.

Success Story - Marcus, 32, former 91X (E-7 SFC) → United Rentals Service Manager → $98K: Served 12 years. Hired as service supervisor at United Rentals at $72K. Earned Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Promoted to service manager after 18 months at $88K, now $98K + bonuses managing 15 technicians.

Success Story - David, 36, former 91X (E-8 MSG) → General Dynamics Operations Manager → $125K: Served 18 years. Hired by General Dynamics as maintenance program manager at $95K. Maintained clearance. After 4 years, operations manager at $125K overseeing vehicle maintenance programs.

Next Steps This Week:

1. Get DD-214 copies
2. Create LinkedIn (emphasize LEADERSHIP and MANAGEMENT, not technical repair)
3. Build resume focusing on supervision, metrics, team leadership
4. Research PMP and Lean Six Sigma training
5. Identify 15 target companies

You managed multi-million-dollar maintenance operations. You supervised 15-40 personnel. You delivered 85-95%+ readiness under pressure.

Civilian employers desperately need your leadership. Execute the plan.

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