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Photo Information

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johnathan H. Cobb, the aircraft, rescue and firefighting truck master, runs a Vehicle Automated Diagnostic System (VADS) on a P19-R at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Oct. 7, 2020. The VADS is used by automotive mechanic technicians to run diagnostics on vehicles to pinpoint and troubleshoot problems that the vehicles may have. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Christian J. Lopez)

Photo by Sgt. Christian Lopez

On the Job: automotive maintenance technician

13 Oct 2020 | Sgt. Christian J. Lopez Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

There are a plethora of different military occupational specialties (MOS) in the Marine Corps, different jobs and skill sets that keep the Marine Corps mission ready. Today we dive into the automotive maintenance technician MOS and take you “On the Job”.

Name: Sgt. Johnathan H. Cobb

Age: 25

Hometown: Waymart, Pennsylvania.

Military Occupational Specialty: 3521, automotive maintenance technician

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johnathan H. Cobb is an automotive maintenance technician with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina and is currently the truck master for station aircraft, rescue and firefighting (ARFF).

Cobb is the sole Marine responsible for maintaining, servicing, inspecting and repairing ARFF’s fleet of P-19-R aircraft rescue and firefighting trucks. Though this only covers a portion of the variety of vehicles that he is trained to work such as the Humvee, Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (7-Tons) and other vehicles that the Marine Corps utilizes in its day to day operations.

“This job plays a very critical role because my [military occupational specialty] is responsible for maintaining this equipment,” said Cobb, 25, from Waymart, Pennsylvania. “Without your maintainers, there is not going to be anyone to fix your 7-tons or Logistic Vehicle System Replacements.”

On the day to day as ARFF’s truck master, Cobb inspects the P19-Rs for leaks, damaged parts, and utilizes the Vehicle Automated Diagnostic System to pinpoint and troubleshoot any problems that the vehicle may have. Cobb is also in charge of ordering and installing any parts that need to be replaced on the vehicles.

“It gives me a sense of pride knowing that I basically play a big factor in my small role,” said Cobb.


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Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point