By 1970 "Aircraft Mechanics" were receiving about 3 or 4 weeks training (Usually at Ft. Rucker, Ala.) before being assigned to maint. slots in Nam. (compaired to up to 9 months in 1960). A lot went straight to flying slots with barely enough training to find the fuel cap. OJT was the norm and they learned from the older crew chiefs. It is no surprise to me that by 1970, infantry (or other MOS) gunners were given Crew chief position based on their time as gunners and the OJT training given them by the older crew chiefs. They were probably better qualified. I had several folks in my unit, ( A Co. 5th Trans Bn.) on my second tour, who had been infantry or other MOS and extended or re-enlisted to become aircraft mechanics. We took them and trained them because we were short on personnel. Some made really good mechanics and a few were just wanting out of the field and became problem children. Most were OK. If, after a bit of coaxing without results, they remained "problem children" who did not respond, They were used on company details ( read permenant shit burners) because I refused to let bad attitudes and known sloppy workers get close to any aircraft that I was responsible for. Usually their peers got with them also. I am proud to say that I had very few "problem children". We all worked hard and in the end we made it OK.