You must first decide what type of crew chief you want to be before you can become one. In the military, auto racing, and construction sites, crew chiefs are critical managers of people and equipment. Each job necessitates a distinct set of skills and responsibilities. Crew chiefs are excellent personnel managers with a wealth of technical knowledge, and this does not change from job to job.
If you want to join the Army as a crew chief, you must be willing to learn three different jobs. Crew chiefs in the United States Army, for example, are in charge of supervising a crew that repairs and performs mechanical pre-flight checks on military helicopters. An Army crew chief’s second duty is to be able to take over the gunner’s duties if he becomes incapacitated. You must also be able to pilot the helicopter if the pilot is unable to do so. This means you’ll have to research and work your way up the ranks not only to repair helicopters, but also to shoot and fly them.
To become an air crew chief, you don’t need to juggle as many responsibilities. A crew chief in the United States Air Force, for example, is in charge of various aircraft’s maintenance. To spot problems and fix them, an air crew chief must understand the mechanics of everything from a cutting-edge fighter jet to a jumbo transportation plane. This job suits people who have a strong aptitude for science, math, and mechanics.
A crew chief for an auto racing team has a very different set of responsibilities. For mechanics, you’ll need a sharp mind, but if you want to be successful, you’ll need to be even better at managing people. If you join a race car team as a crew chief, you will be in charge of the entire crew as well as the driver, ensuring that the team has the best chance of winning. You will also report to the team’s owner and sponsors, ensuring that they are informed and satisfied with the team’s progress. Understanding racing physics and every component of the car is crucial, but so are your communication skills.
Instead of mechanical knowledge, you’ll need to know everything about construction to become a crew chief on a construction site. Because crew chiefs are in charge of dozens, if not hundreds, of workers on a single project, you must also be an expert in personnel management. Because you must ensure that the project is completed on time and on budget, math skills are just as important as interpersonal skills.